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ILRI MSc Graduate Fellowship – Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria Isolated from Carcasses in Slaughterhouses in Western Kenya
About the position
- The overall health and economic burden arising from meat contamination are likely to be substantial. The lack of adequate hygiene and sanitation facilities in slaughterhouses in developing countries is an important impediment to the practice of international hygiene standards. In Kenya, poor working conditions, including hygiene and sanitation facilities at slaughterhouses have been shown to lead to contamination of meat and transmission of pathogens. Inadequate infrastructure, resource constraints among regulatory bodies, and low levels of awareness among those who produce, trade and process animals about the adverse occupational and public health risks associated with meat contamination compound this problem. Improving hygiene practices at slaughterhouses is crucial to reduce contamination of meat in food system, mainly because large number of animals ultimately pass through them.
- Through this research project will identify the pathotypes and antimicrobial resistance of pathogens contaminating carcasses at slaughter and the public health risks associated with these pathogens.
Key responsibilities:
The MSc fellow to be recruited will be responsible for:
- Microbiological analysis of samples to identify bacteria and molecular methods to identify pathotypes.
- Use different methods to determine antimicrobial resistance including disc diffusion and molecular methods.
- Develop an MSc research proposal in line with the admission requirements of the admitting university.
- Analyze the obtained results and prepare a thesis and at least one journal publication.
Requirements:
The ideal candidate should:
- Have registered in a recognized university and is currently pursuing masters of science in biological sciences, microbiology or related field.
- Have completed their course work and is ready to begin the research component of their study.
- Possess working knowledge of MS Office applications.
- Experience in laboratory methods – microbiology (culture, disk diffusions) and PCR.
- Demonstrate good understanding of data handling techniques, analysis, especially involving use of statistical packages such as STATA, R or Python.
- Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Duration: 3 months
Terms of appointment and benefits:
- ILRI will offer a monthly stipend to cover living expenses in the project location, medical insurance, and cover research expenses.
- The fellow will be co-supervised by academic and ILRI supervisor and receive various capacity development opportunities at ILRI.
Deadline: 12th July 2024.
ILRI MSc Graduate Fellowship: Cross-sectional study of mastitis in dairy cattle in Nandi County
About the position
The dairy industry is an emerging sector of the livestock industry in many lower and middle-income countries (LMICs) particularly in Africa. Structured dairy cattle breeding programs, such as the African Dairy Genetic Gains (ADGG) project, are currently being implemented for improved performance and production. The ADGG program is a farmer-focused partnership that records and disseminates on-farm productivity and genetic information on dairy cattle. The data generated by the ADGG project aims to assist farmers to improve cow management, improve animal and herd productivity as well as increasing income for smallholder dairy farmers. The ADGG project consists of performance recording and sampling systems for dairy cattle. Performance information and genetic analysis is used to develop systems to select crossbred bulls and cows of superior genetic merit for Artificial Insemination and natural mating.
A challenge to productivity in dairy farming is mastitis. Previous work has indicated that the incidence of mastitis may be as high as 50%. Pathogens that cause mastitis may also develop antimicrobial resistance reducing the effectiveness of treatment. To address this major challenge for dairy producers and to reduce both the economic losses from discarded milk, we will conduct a longitudinal study of mastitis in cows. This will generate the disease and infection phenotypes that can then be linked to the ADGG genotypes to deliver genomic tools to develop resistance/tolerance to diseases.
We are recruiting an MSc student to conduct the baseline cross-sectional study to the determine the prevalence of mastitis causing pathogens in a population of dairy cattle in Nandi County, Kenya.
Responsibilities of the fellow:
- Collect survey data using Open Data Kit (ODK).
- Collect samples from cattle.
- Run microbiological and molecular tests for pathogens such as E. coli, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and antimicrobial resistance.
- Risk factor analysis.
- Conduct statistical analysis of data using appropriate methods.
- Preparation of research proposal and thesis for purposes of academic attainment.
Minimum requirements
The ideal candidate should:
- Have registered in a recognized university and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in biological sciences or related field.
- Have completed their course work and is ready to begin the research component of their study.
- Possess working knowledge of MS Office applications.
- Exhibit field experience conducting surveys and administering questionnaires using ODK.
- Experience in laboratory methods – microbiology and PCR.
- Display good understanding of data handling techniques, analysis, especially involving use of statistical packages such as STATA, R or Python.
- Show excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Duration: 5 months
Terms of appointment and stipend:
- ILRI will offer a competitive stipend to cover living expenses, medical insurance cover, and meet research expenses.
- The successful candidate will be supervised jointly by an ILRI scientist and the university/academic supervisor/s.
Method of Application
Use the link(s) below to apply on company website.
- ILRI MSc Graduate Fellowship – Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria Isolated from Carcasses in Slaughterhouses in Western Kenya
- ILRI MSc Graduate Fellowship: Cross-sectional study of mastitis in dairy cattle in Nandi County
All applications MUST include the following (applications not containing these documents will not be considered):
- A cover letter addressed to Capacity Development Manager, ILRI, expressing interest in the fellowship position and the motivation.
- The position title and reference number (REF: ILRI MSc GF/AHH/08/2024) should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.
- CV, including names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience.
- Academic qualification certificates/transcripts.
The position title and reference number REF: GF/LG /01/2024 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.
Applications should be sent to the Capacity Development Manager, ILRI on or before 17th July 2024.