PhD Studentship in Animal Reproduction: Development of in vitro Techniques to Explore Bovine Preimplantation Embryo Viability

Award Summary

100% home fees covered and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £18,622 (2023/24 UKRI rate). Additional funding to cover research costs

Overview

In this project a bovine in vitro embryo production model will be used to develop a post-hatching model of embryo development and biopsy procedures in preimplantation embryos. These techniques will be critical for future experiments investigating embryo toxicology and for the identification of biomarkers of embryo viability. Our goal is to minimise losses in animal production systems using advance breeding techniques, which has a knock-on effect of improving livestock animal welfare and environmental sustainability.

Given the increasing acceptance of bovine in vitro models of embryo development as an alternative to mouse in vitro model systems, our research plans are also relevant to human assisted reproduction.

The successful candidate will become expert in several laboratory procedures including in vitro embryo production, cutting edge high resolution live and fixed cell microscopy, micromanipulation, and analytical techniques.

The project has links with industry and will be a collaboration between SNES and the Bioscience Institute at FMS. The successful applicant will acquire knowledge and skills for several job sectors, including agri-business (e.g., animal breeding companies), specialized research institutions, biotech companies, human assisted reproduction services and academia. You will join a friendly, and diverse team with regular team meetings and events, technical support, and have access to mentorship, career support and a range of additional training opportunities. 

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

31/1/24

Award Duration

3 Years

Application Closing Date

31/12/23

Sponsor

School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University.

Supervisors

Andrew Beard (andrew.beard@newcastle.ac.uk)

Suzanne Madgwick (suzanne.madgwick@newcastle.ac.uk)

Miguel Velazquez (miguel.velazquez@newcastle.ac.uk)

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project.

If first language is not English: IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.

The studentship covers fees at the Home rate (UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status and meet the residency criteria). International applicants will be required to cover the difference between Home and International fees.

International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme. 

How To Apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal 

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.  

In ‘Course Search’ identify your programme of study:  

·        Search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8010F

·        Research Area: Animal Science 

·        Select ‘PhD Agriculture & Rural Development (full time) – Animal Science’ as the  programme of study. 

Provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:  

·        A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form.  

·        The studentship code SNES270 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field  

·        For your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’ and type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal.  

Contact Details

Andrew Beard (andrew.beard@newcastle.ac.uk)

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