French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE)
Organisation/Company: French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE)
Department: IHAP 1225 INRAE ENVT
Research Field: Agricultural sciences, Medical sciences, Computer science
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: PhD Positions
Country: France
Application Deadline: 31 Dec 2024 - 20:00 (Europe/Paris)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Offer Starting Date: 1 Mar 2025
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe (other)
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description Background on the VIVACE doctoral Network
While outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) in Europe used to be rare and geographically contained, the situation has dramatically changed in the last few years with thousands of outbreaks reported in domestic poultry and wild birds. Despite being an intensive field of research, many unknowns remain as we are still struggling to predict HPAIV incursion in poultry, avoid viral spread and limit the socio-economic impact entailed predominantly by control measures. Vaccination of poultry against avian influenza, which used to be prohibited in the European Union (EU) due to trade restrictions, is now being given full consideration, as it is becoming clear that traditional prevention and control approaches alone will not curb the accelerating pace of occurrence of devastating HPAIV epidemics. However, vaccinating poultry does not come without important challenges. The project VIVACE aims at putting together an ambitious doctoral network, composed of 13 PhD scholarships, to contribute to fully integrate poultry vaccination approaches into efficient management strategies for HPAIV. This will be done by unravelling the impact current and upcoming EU vaccination policies will have on avian influenza virus evolution, surveillance and control strategies and societal burden of HPAI. For this, VIVACE will use a combination of disciplines from life sciences, epidemiology, computer sciences and social and behavioural sciences. The consortium gathers 15 leading universities or research institutes and 5 private companies, securing both inter-sectoriality and wide geographic distribution with tailored epidemiological and vaccination contexts.
Objectives of the PhD project
In this PhD project, we aim at developing data-driven model-based decision-support tools to identify efficient poultry vaccination strategies. Specific objectives are:
To further develop existing between-farm transmission models of HPAI conceived at the host institutions by incorporating vaccination strategies taking into account (i) its impact on virus transmissibility and HPAI clinical manifestation (ii) its impact on surveillance effectiveness and (iii) its impact on biosecurity compliance.
To calibrate the transmission model using recent HPAI epidemics and preliminary results from vaccination challenges and (pre) clinical trials.
To identify optimised vaccination strategies that allow to minimise HPAI epidemiological impact while minimizing the number of vaccine doses.
This project is expected to generate new knowledge on the impact poultry vaccination has on HPAI epidemic dynamics and evidence-based recommendations on HPAI prevention and management, including vaccination.
Research location
The PhD candidate will be hosted by the Epidesa group, within the mixed research unit Host-Pathogens Interactions (IHAP), located on the campus of the National Veterinary School of Toulouse, France. Over the course of the project, the doctoral candidate is expected to visit the co-host institution (WBVR, Lelystad, The Netherlands) to complete his/her training on infectious disease modelling, to calibrate the models and to develop simulation protocols for the vaccination strategy optimization.
Where to apply E-mail: ******
Requirements Research Field: Agricultural sciences, Medical sciences, Computer science
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications:
The suitable candidate would ideally be a biologist (e.g. ecologist, veterinarian, animal scientist or agronomist) with a master of science in bio-statistics, applied mathematics or epidemiology with proven quantitative analytical skills. Candidates with a background in applied mathematics and an interest for biology are also warmly encouraged to apply. A strong interest in programming (preferably in R) would be highly advantageous. An enthusiasm for infectious diseases, animal health and interdisciplinary work is desirable. Mobility is required, as the project involves spending time in France and The Netherlands. Proficiency in English writing and willingness to present research work at international conferences are essential. Proficiency in French is not necessarily required. As VIVACE is a doctoral network (Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action), eligible candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than twelve months in the three years immediately before the beginning of the PhD project.
Application Documents:
A short motivation letter (max 1 page) where you state why you are interested and what experience you have to address the aspects of the project.
Online interviews of shortlisted candidates will be held in January 2024.
#J-18808-Ljbffr