Interesting MPhil project on Cryptosporidium available

I don't normally post job ads on the blog, but I was sent this interesting sounding opportunity which might suit one of the readers of this blog? Note they are accepting late submissions, but get your application in quickly!

KESS Scholarship

Aberystwyth University are seeking to recruit a 1-year MPhil to work on a project entitled:
Developing an integrated whole genome amplification and next generation sequencing method to
characterise Cryptosporidium clinical isolates

The protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium species cause severe, sometimes fatal, gastroenteritis in
children and adults. Cryptosporidiosis is a public health problem in Wales and worldwide. Only three
Cryptosporidium species have been genome sequenced and published to date, and very little is known
about the sub-types and diversity of Cryptosporidium species.

This project has two aims. The first is to develop a technique to recover oocysts from clinical samples,
and characterise the Cryptosporidium genomic DNA by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), to allow
strain and species differences between isolates to be determined. The second aim is to apply the
optimized isolation and sequencing technique to a selection of clinical samples from outbreaks in
Wales and the UK.

This project will involve close collaboration between the Cryptosporidium Reference Unit (CRU) and
Aberystwyth University (AU), with the student performing immunomagnetic seperation (IMS) to purify
oocysts from clinical samples, and DNA extraction from captured oocysts at the CRU, and subsequent
DNA manipulation, whole genome amplification, NGS and bioinformatics steps at AU.
The student will also be expected to present the results of the project at scientific meetings both in
Wales and the UK, and possibly at international meetings. The results of this work are expected to be
published in peer reviewed journals.

The prospective applicant should have a minimum of a 1st or good 2:1 in a relevant degree, and be
available to take up the studentship by 1 October 2013. The prospective applicant should also not hold
or currently be working towards a qualification at Master’s Degree level or higher. The project is partfunded
by the European Social Fund (ESF) through the European Union’s Convergence programme
administered by the Welsh Government. KESS scholarships are collaborative awards with external
partners. (Applicants need only apply, they do not need to search for partners.)
To apply, please submit the following to the Postgraduate Admissions Office (address below) by 13
September 2013:
1. A completed Research Programme Application Form, two references. Application and reference
forms may be downloaded from http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/howtoapply/.
2. A completed KESS application form (put the reference number AU50014 in the top right hand box of
the application form) and an up-to-date CV. KESS application forms are available to download at the
link below.
www.aber.ac.uk/en/ccs/staff-students/funding/kess/
3. A Personal Statement of up to 1,000 words where you expand on your experience and interests and
describe why you are a good candidate for this research studentship. Please refer to the Project
Description.
Value of Award: A stipend of £10,130. Each scholarship has an additional budget for travel,
equipment/consumables and training to support your research. KESS Scholarship holders do not pay
fees.

Length: Full-time for 1 year. (Theses must be submitted 3 months after the funded one year study
period.)

Training: The achievement of a Postgraduate Skills Development Award (PSDA) is compulsory for each
KESS scholar (The PSDA is based on a 30 credit award, which is an additional award to the MPhil).
Eligibility: To be eligible to apply for a KESS award, you must be resident, upon application, in the
Convergence Area of Wales and you must be able to take paid employment in the Convergence area
on completion of the scholarship.

The Convergence Area means the following counties of Wales:
Blaenau Gwent
Bridgend
Caerphilly
Carmarthenshire
Ceredigion
Conwy
Denbighshire
Gwynedd
Isle of Anglesey
Merthyr Tydfil
Neath Port Talbot
Pembrokeshire
Rhondda Cynon Taff
Swansea
Torfaen

For further student eligibility criteria related to the individual projects, please view the details of the
individual project above.

Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Justin Pachebat jip@aber.ac.uk, 01970 62 2347.
Address for applications:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Recruitment & Admissions
Student Welcome Centre
Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth
SY23 3FB
Quote Reference: AU50014
Closing date for applications: 13 September 2013