Research assistant (praedoc) (m/f/d) - Fachbereich Veterinärmedizin - Tierklinikum, Nutztierklinik Abt. Geflügel

Job description:
As members of the German Research Foundation (DFG)-funded Research Training Group (GRK) 3096 “One Health Approach to Soil-Transmitted Helminths,” successful applicants will work on scientific projects in an interdisciplinary manner within a structured program. The projects address the three “One Health” aspects: 1) human roundworm infections (close cooperation and fieldwork in Kenya/Africa), 2) roundworm infections in farm animals (chickens and pigs in Germany), and 3) environmental factors (sociological and economic field studies in Kenya and Germany). The GRK will thus incorporate human, animal, and environmental aspects into the research and training of candidates in order to train “One Health” infectious disease specialists. After four years of training in the structured doctoral program and the acquisition of at least 30 CP, candidates have the opportunity to obtain a certificate for the successful completion of a graduate school.
The project based in the Farm Animal Clinic – Division for Poultry (P1) focuses on the
following aspects:
P1: Impact of Ascaridia galli on vaccination and coinfection in chicken
Ascaridia galli (A. galli) is commonly prevalent with up to 84 and 88% in free-range and organic laying hens, respectively. This project aims to determine the consequences of A. galli on the immune system of the hosting chicken with special focus on its gastrointestinal health and concurrent zoonotic pathogen Salmonella.
The doctoral researcher will investigate I) A. galli specific adaptive immune responses on S. Enteritidis vaccinated hens and II) the impact of A. galli on the intestinal bacterial coinfections with special focus on S. Enteritidis infections.
The research work will include an in vitro intestinal chicken model, on-farm chicken research, as well as an experimental chicken trial in state-of-the-art research facilities (Animal Centre of Resistant Infectious Diseases).
Planning, organizing, conducting hands-on research with animals will be combined with solid technical skills including mass spectrometry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting and “Next Generation Sequencing”.
The doctoral researcher will become “One Health” expert with special focus on animal experiments, investigating holistically multidisciplinary concerns regarding intestinal health.

Requirements:
Master or similar degree in a relevant subject (e.g., Parasitology, Biology, Veterinary Medicine, Biochemistry or similar)
Desirable:

• Knowledge of English language – written and oral (English is the program‘s language- though without English language skills, a membership in RTG 3096 is not possible)
• Knowledge in Parasitology (Helminths) / Veterinary Medicine (Workshops, lectures, courses)
• Experience in handling experimental animals (chicken)
• Interest in interdisciplinary working (with ecologists, social scientists, Immunologists)
• Skills in organization and communication, interest in working outside regular working hours (weekends)
• Skills to work in a team, time management
  Further Information on the Research Training Group „One Health“ and all offered positions:
  https://www.vetmed.fu-berlin.de/en/einrichtungen/sonstige/grk3096

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Freie Universität Berlin is an equal opportunity employer.