Position: Thesis based MSc
OAC Academic Unit: Department of Animal Biosciences
Advisor Name: Dr. David Huyben (huybend@uoguelph.ca)
Start Date: September 1, 2022
Duration: 2 years
Stipend: $21,000/year
Project Background: Dr. Huyben and colleagues at the ABSc department are seeking applicants for a thesis based MSc project focused on improving fish growth and gut health by feeding insects and probiotics. The project is funded by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance and NSERC Alliance in partnership with international feed ingredient suppliers Alltech and Enterra, as well as OMAFRA. This project exists within a larger research program focused on determining the influence of diet on the sustainable growth, health and microbiome of aquaculture fishes.
Project Methodology: The MSc student will be responsible for three components of the project: 1) literature review, 2) zebrafish challenge trial, and 3) rainbow trout challenge trial. First, the student will be tasked with reviewing studies focused on dietary effects on zebrafish and rainbow trout with a focus on survival, disease resistance, immunity and the microbiome. Second, the student will manage and sample zebrafish in a 3-month trial feeding insects and probiotics followed by a pathogen challenge with both adults and larvae at the Hagen Aqualab (Guelph, ON). Third, the student will manage and sample rainbow trout in a 3-month trial feeding insects and probiotics followed by a pathogen challenge at the Ontario Aquaculture Research Centre (Alma, ON), which is a 35min drive north of Guelph.
The MSc student will be responsible for making feed, feeding fish, sampling tissues, lab work, data analysis and writing a thesis. Nutritional lab work involves analysis of protein, lipids, amino acids and other nutrients at the ABSc department. Molecular lab work will involve RNA/DNA extraction, qPCR/PCR, gel electrophoresis and next generation sequencing of immune genes and 16S gut microbiome. In addition, the MSc student will work in a team of undergrad/grad students, postdocs and professors to accomplish the above tasks. The project also financially supports travel costs and attendance to a workshop and a conference.
Required Skills: The MSc candidate should have a strong background in fish biology and/or aquaculture with additional knowledge on molecular biology, immunology and/or nutrition. They must have an honours BSc degree in biology, animal science or a related field with a minimum B average (75%). They must have previous experience performing a literature review, laboratory work and statistical analysis (e.g. R). The candidate should be self-motivated to learn, an independent worker, able to problem- solve and have a critical thinking mindset. They should be able to work well within a group and have strong written and oral communication skills. The University of Guelph believes in improving equity, diversity and inclusion in its study programs and workplaces, thus all applicants are welcome who meet the above required skills.
Preferred Skills: Hands-on experience feeding and dissecting zebrafish and rainbow trout. Experience assisting grad students with a research trial. Knowledge on nutritional, immunological and molecular (qPCR) lab methods. Experience calculating differential gene expression and/or performing bioinformatics on microbiome data.
Application Instructions: Qualified candidates should send their CV, transcript and cover letter (one-page) to Dr. David Huyben (huybend@uoguelph.ca) with the subject “MSc thesis application”.
Application Deadline: Tuesday April 19th 2022 at 11:59pm
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