Biosolids-fertilised pasture and the grazing ruminant:contaminant exposure, rumen microbial response and gut function
Supervisors
Dr Rheinallt Jones, School of Biodiversity One Health and Veterinary Medicine, MVLS, University of Glasgow
Dr Eulyn Pagaling, The James Hutton Institute
Dr Michelle Bellingham, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine,
University of Glasgow
Summary
Join us in this highly interdisciplinary project tackling the intersection between animal and environmental health. We will investigate how the sustainable approach of using sewage sludge biosolids as an agricultural fertiliser affects the gastrointestinal system (health and function) of grazing ruminants (sheep) through in-vitro gastrointestinal modelling and microbiome analysis. We will go on to investigate how the application of biosolids to pasture affects the soil microbiome and how waste from sheep grazing these pastures may pose a risk to non-biosolid fertilised fields.
You will learn a diverse range of skills stemming from animal and environmental science. These will include the collection and storage of GIT tissue and content, pasture, and soil samples; a range of skills in the laboratory, including molecular (eDNA) methods, analytical
chemistry techniques (nutrients and metabolites) and in-vitro gastrointestinal modelling. You will learn a variety of statistical approaches, including microbiome bioinformatic and timeseries analysis. Your colleagues have active relationships with industry and government which you will be encouraged to interact with. Both organisations also offer a range of training modules for PhD students to aid professional development, such as presentation skills, scientific writing, career management, and others.