PhD Pos.: Diagnostics and epidemiology of Mycoplasma hyosynoviae and other pig lameness pathogens

About the position

The Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant three-year PhD–position related to related to diagnostics and prevalence studies of porcine arthritis pathogens.

The project is funded by the Norwegian Research Council and offers the PhD candidate an exciting opportunity to work in close collaboration with international experts in pig health, microbiology, and epidemiology. The successful candidate will be based at NMBU Sandnes in Southwestern Norway. A research stay at a collaborating institution abroad (VetMedUni Vienna, Austria) is planned to strengthen competence in advanced diagnostic techniques.

This position is part of a new interdisciplinary project aiming to improve knowledge on infectious causes of lameness in Norwegian pigs, with a particular focus on Mycoplasma hyosynoviae prevalence, population structure and virulence. The project will establish diagnostic tools, map the occurrence and distribution of important bacterial arthritis pathogens in pig herds, and investigate their shedding patterns. 

The project also aims to evaluate autogenous vaccination against M. hyosynoviae as a preventive measure. By generating new insights into lameness-associated bacteria, the project will contribute to improved animal welfare, reduced antibiotic use, and a more sustainable pig production.

The PhD candidate will play a central role in the project, from laboratory method development to field sampling in pig herds and slaughterhouses, and statistical analyses of prevalence and shedding data.

This is a recruitment position of a temporary nature, intended as an educational post that leads to a doctoral degree. The PhD fellowship is a paid education, where the candidate is admitted to the PhD programme and carries out research with the aim of completing a PhD degree. The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.

Main tasks

• Participation in mandatory and elective PhD courses
• Contribute to the establishment of a laboratory platform for cultivation of mycoplasmas and validation of a multiplex qPCR for use on different sample materials
• Collect and analyse field samples from pig herds and slaughterhouses 
• Validate and use oral fluid sampling to investigate shedding dynamics of arthritis pathogens.
• Perform statistical analyses of prevalence and shedding patterns in collaboration with epidemiologists
• Participate in field studies evaluating vaccination strategies.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at national and international conferences. 

The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period. 

Competence

The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year master’s degree or a cand.med.vet. degree, with a learning outcome corresponding to the descriptions in the Norwegian Qualification Framework, second cycle. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background relevant to the position and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.

The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.

Required Academic qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in veterinary medicine, microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, or a related discipline.
• Documented proficiency in both written and oral English 

The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:

• Master`s degree (or equivalent) in veterinary medicine
• Interest in swine health, infectious diseases and epidemiology
• Experience in laboratory/field research, microbiology and/or molecular methods (PCR/qPCR)
• Previous publications
• Proficiency in a Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish or Danish) 
• Course in Laboratory Animal Science

You need to have:

• A high motivation for scientific work with the ability to understand, apply, and critically reflect on knowledge.
• The ability to work patiently, accurately, and with focus
• The ability to carry out intensive research work both in the laboratory and in the field for shorter or longer periods.
• Strong collaboration skills, while also being able to work independently, dedicatedly, and efficiently.
• A strong motivation to complete a PhD education
• Category B driving license

Remuneration and further information

The position is placed in Government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow (NOK 550.800 – 595.000). PhD. Fellows are normally placed with a starting salary of NOK 550.800 and follow ordinary meriting regulations.

Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.

For further information, please contact Associate professor Marianne O.-Moe (Head of section), e-post: marianne.oropeza-moe@nmbu.no, phone: +47 67 23 29 23 / +47 46 95 00 83 or Associate professor Marit G. Maaland E-mail: marit.gaastra.maaland@nmbu.no ; phone +47 67 23 29 25

Information for PhD applicants and general Information to applicants

Application

To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the 'Apply for this job' button above. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.

Application deadline: 19.11.2025

Your CV must be entered in JobbNorge's CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is to be able to comply with the regulations of §15 of the Public Administration Act.

In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.

Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

• Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
• Complete CV 
• Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Diploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
• Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.
• Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with NMBU PhD regulation section 5-2 (3). 
• Names and contact details for two references
• Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.

About the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at NMBU is the country's only veterinary professional education and provide expertise in veterinary medicine and veterinary public health. The Faculty educates veterinarians, animal nurses and doctoral students in Veterinary Science and researches in veterinary medicine and related biomedical fields. We have 500 students and 430 employees.

The faculty consists of the departments of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Paraclinical Sciences, Production Animal Clinical Sciences and Companion Animal Clinical Sciences. We also run the Animal Hospital, which is closely linked to our research and education, and receives patients from all over the country.