School of Biomedical & Natural Sciences
A Food Standards Agency and
Some newborn
babies cannot be breast fed and require additional nutritional support. Since they are nutritionally and
immunologically compromised, the hygienic and nutritional quality of breast
milk substitutes such as powdered infant formula is very important. Powdered infant formula is not a sterile
product but is manufactured to comply with international microbiological
criteria. Some Enterobacteriaceae such as Enterobacter
sakazakii, E. cloacae, Citrobacter koseri, C. freundii and Klebsiella species are found in powdered infant formula and have been associated with
serious neonatal infections. In 2004 (amended
in 2006) the FAO-WHO grouped the Enterobacteriaceae
associated with powdered infant formula according to potential risk of
producing illness in infants; Category A Clear evidence of casuality Salmonella
spp. and E. sakazakii, and Category
B Plausible causality, but not yet demonstrated C. koseri, C. freundii, E.
cloacae, Pantoea agglomerans, Esch. vulneris, Esch. coli, K. pneumoniae,
K. oxytoca, and Acinetobacter spp.
A trained
microbiologist is sought to support Dr Forsythe in biomedical research
regarding the growth and survival of Enterobacteriaceae
in infant formula. The post is fulltime for
three years and the applicant is expected to register for a PhD.
The successful
candidate will undertake a variety of research related activities including
bacterial survival to desiccation, and heat treatment, and molecular
characterisation. The person will be working within a very active research team
involved in emergent bacterial pathogens such as Enterobacter sakazakii. Proficiency in word processing, databases
and spreadsheets is expected. Knowledge
of Enterobacter sakazkaii or other Enterobacteriaceae related to neonatal
infections will be an advantage. The
PhD studentship would suit an enthusiastic and self-motivated graduate with an
interest in microbiology. Entry
requirements: a first class or upper
second class UK Honours degree (or equivalent) or Masters degree in a relevant subject.
Applications from overseas students are welcome, but
a successful candidate would be responsible for paying the difference between
overseas and home student fees. The minimum English language proficiency requirement is
IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 550/CBTOEFL 220 for candidates who have not undertaken a Higher degree in the
For
informal enquiries please contact Dr SJ Forsythe tel: +44 (0)115 8483529. Homepage : www.foodmicrobe.com.
For an application form, please contact:
Mrs Doreen Corlett
Research & Graduate Studies Office
Email: sat.research@ntu.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 3269
Fax: +44 (0)115 848 6616
Candidates must send a completed application form
which should include a statement about why they are applying for the post and
how they meet the essential qualifications to Doreen Corlett, by post, fax or
email by Friday 8th June 2007.
Provisional
interview date is Thursday 14th June.
Application
by CV only will not be accepted