Posted February 5, 2010

The Opportunity:
The Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, is seeking a strongly motivated graduate student to undertake a research project directed towards the elucidation of the pathogenesis of Necrotic Enteritis in broiler chickens associated with the pathogenic bacterium Clostridium perfringens.

The Project:
Specifically, this project will focus on understanding the changes in genes and proteins that are expressed differentially in broilers challenged with Clostridium perfringens, and factors associated with functional changes at the site of bacterial invasion resulting from host-pathogen ineractions.

The successful candidate will be responsible for performing a wide range of biological studies (both in-vivo and in-vitro) and laboratory procedures utilizing advanced analytical techniques including molecular biology, biochemical assays, microbioogy, HPLC, GC, and light and electron microscopy.

The qualified candidate would be expected to develop novel analytical techniques using the synchrotron light facility. The University of Saskatchewan is home to the Canadian Light Source, Canada's synchrotron light facility (www.cls.usask.ca).

Qualifications:
The candidate should be well versed in avian gastrointestinal physiology, patho-physiology, and biochemistry, and demonstrate strong background knowledge in diagnostic aspects (gross and histopathology) of enteric diseases in poultry. Good working knowledge of patho-physiology of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens is a must. The candidate should also be familiar with routine procedurs for Clostridia spp microbiology and procedures involving level II pathogens.

In addition to basic educational requirements, applicants must possess the ability to participate in designing and implementing this challenging research program. Excellent communication and writing skills are also required.

Starting Date: This project can be undertaken as soon as possible.

Stipend: A graduate student stipend commensurate with U of S College of Graduate Studies and Research guidelines is available to the successful candidate.

For More Information: For more information regarding this project please contact:

Dr. Bernard Laarveld
University of Saskatchewan
6D34 Agriculture Building, 51 Campus Drive
Saskatoon SK  S7N 5A8, Canada
E-mail: b.laarveld@usask.ca

For information on grad programs and application process please refer to http://agbio.usask.ca/index.php?page=ap-graduate