TEAGASC PHD WALSH FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY
“Examination of feed enzymes as a means of improving feed
efficiency in pigs”
Ref: 2015048
Background
Pig diets are primarily comprised of ingredients of vegetable origin. Unlike ruminants, pigs’ lack the
enzymes needed to break down fibre and therefore, cannot efficiently digest diet components that are
high in fibre. Dietary supplementation with non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzymes (e.g. ßglucanase and xylanase) could potentially improve nutrient availability from fibrous ingredients.
Furthermore, supplementing diets with proteases could increase protein digestion as well as providing
other benefits such as inactivating anti-nutritional factors. Feed enzymes offer the possibility to make
greater use of common ingredients and may allow the greater use of alternative feed ingredients and
by-products (e.g. dried distillers grains with solubles - DDGS).
This PhD will deliver: 1. a review of the literature on the use of feed enzymes in pigs, 2. in-vitro
assessment of the efficacy of a range of enzymes, 3. in-vivo assessment of the efficacy of NSP
degrading enzymes in least-cost diets, 4. in-vitro assessment of protease enzymes in least cost diets, 5.
an assessment of the efficacy of soaking feed with added enzyme on pig performance and 6. a cost
benefit analysis of supplementing pig diets with feed enzymes.
Requirements
Applicants should have a good primary degree (First or Second Class Honours) or M.Sc. in an
appropriate discipline (Agricultural Science, Animal Science, Animal Nutrition etc.). The successful
candidate should be highly self-motivated and be prepared for laboratory work and feeding studies with
pigs. Experience in pig production is also desirable. A full EU driving licence is also required.
Award
The PhD Fellowship is a joint research project between Teagasc, Pig Development Department and the
School of Agriculture & Food Science, University College Dublin. The student will be based, in the first
instance, at Teagasc, Moorepark, Co. Cork and will be registered at University College Dublin, working
under the supervision of Professor John O’Doherty in association with Teagasc supervisors (Dr Peadar
Lawlor, Dr Stefan Buzoianu, and Dr Edgar Garcia Manzanilla). Periods of laboratory work will be
undertaken at University College Dublin, IRTA, Spain and ADISSEO, France. The Fellowship will
commence on 1st of September when the most suitable candidate is appointed.
The fellowship provides a stipend of €22,000. University fees are paid by the student from the stipend
which is tenable for 3 years.
Further Information/Applications
Dr. Peadar Lawlor, Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation
Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork
Phone +353 (0)25 42217 email: [email protected]
Professor John O’Doherty, School of Agriculture & Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield
Dublin
Phone +353 (0)1 7167128 email: [email protected]
Application Procedure
Submit an electronic copy of Curriculum Vitae and a letter of interest simultaneously to:
Dr. Peadar Lawlor ([email protected]) and
Prof. John O’Doherty ([email protected]).
Closing date
5th May 2015.