The PhD thesis will be performed at Toulouse National Veterinary School (ENVT) in NeoCare Center.NeoCare Center (Director: Prof. Sylvie Chastant-Maillard), houses research and teaching activities, as well asclinical work. Our research performed focuses on relevant fundamental and applied questions in the field ofcanine and feline neonatology, with special emphasis on the survival of neonates up to weaning (puppies andkittens infectiology and immunity; nutritional solutions to improve survival, colostrum and milk quality, bothnutritional and immunological, early growth of puppies and kittens - relationship between birth weight, earlygrowth and adult weight and health, fetal and neonatal programming).
Subject of the thesis:
Low-birth-weight is a major risk factor for neonatal mortality in puppies, with specificities in neonataldevelopment. The aim of this work will be to identify factors influencing prevalence of low birth weight inpuppies and to determine consequences of low birth weight and early growth (2 first days of life) on health atadult life.
Candidates profile:
- a graduate scientific degree in life sciences (e.g. veterinarian or agronomist, etc
– vet degree is notmandatory). Knowledge in biostatistics will be appreciated;
- motivation to work with dog and cat breeders;- autonomy, analytical thinking;
- excellent clarity in both written and verbal expression in English (skills in French language are notmandatory);
- ability to work simultaneously on multiple and diverse projects while respecting deadlines.
- rigorous work standards, sense of organization, strong team spirit and intellectual curiosity are main personalassets expected.
Contact:
Interested candidates should contact Pr. Sylvie Chastant-Maillard (s.chastant@envt.fr) with their CV, thecontact information (email, phone) of at least 2 reference people having supervised the candidate and a briefstatement of their research interests and career goals.
Application deadline: 15 September 2016
Salary: 37 000 € annual gross –
Duration: 3 years (position opened the 1st November 2016 – adaptable date)
Skill area: Biology, Veterinary Medicine, Health, Neonatology, Biostatistics, Nutrition, Epidemiology
Recent papers published by NeoCare
H. Mila, A. Grellet, A. Feugier, S. Chastant-Maillard. Differential impact of birth weight and early growth on neonatal mortality in puppies.Journal of Animal Science 2015; 93(9): 4436-4442.
H. Mila, A. Feugier, A. Grellet, J. Anne, M. Gonnier, M. Martin, L. Rossig, S. Chastant-Maillard. Immunoglobulin G concentration in caninecolostrum: evaluation and variability. Journal of Reproductive Immunology 2015; 112: 24-28.
H. Mila, A. Feugier, A. Grellet, J. Anne, M. Gonnier, M. Martin, L. Rossig, S. Chastant-Maillard. Inadequate passive immune transfer in puppies:definition, risk factors and prevention in a large multi-breed kennel. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 2014; 116: 209-213.
H. Mila, S. Chastant-Maillard. Canine colostrum. Veterinary Focus 2016: 26: 32-38.
A. Grellet, H. Mila, R.M. Heilmann, A. Feugier, N. Gruetzner, J.S. Suchodolski, J.M. Steiner, S. Chastant-Maillard. Effect of age, gestation andlactation on faecal IgA and calprotectin concentrations in dogs. Journal of Nutritional Science 2014; 3(e41): 1-5.