WP2

Call for Applications

2 PhD Scholarships Available under Work Package 2 (WP2)

The Faculty of Fisheries (FoF) of the Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), Bangladesh in collaboration with University of Copenhagen (KU), Denmark hereby invites interested and qualified citizens of Bangladesh (holding MS degree) to submit their applications for 2 PhD scholarships related to the DANIDA financed project “ECOPRAWN-Climate-friendly and climate-resilient prawn farming in Bangladesh”. Students will be enrolled at both PSTU and KU, with a possibility of attaining a double degree.

The scholarships are of three 3½ years duration, and will commence on 1st October 2022 or soon after. The PhD scholars will be supervised by a joint team of senior academics from FoF at PSTU and KU will be provided PhD level training in both university environments. The PhD study and research will be closely integrated and coordinated with all the other activities in the ECOPRAWN project.

The overall purpose of ECOPRAWN is to analyze both climate change mitigation and adaptation of prawn farming in Bangladesh and thereby meet the theme “Sustainable development and climate change”. The project aims improving resilience to diseases in prawns in areas threatened by salt intrusion. To address these vital issues, ECOPRAWN focuses on enhancing the resistance to salt-water-induced diseases by microbial stimulation of the prawns´ immune system and usage of phage therapy. The project involves laboratory research, farms level experimentation and probiotic production. Moreover, the project involves a stay at University of Copenhagen for a total of 9 months.

The 2 scholarships come with different requirements under Work Packages 2 (WP2):

In WP-2

  • The PhD scholarship #1 entitled “Develop and manage production of promising local stress-alleviating microbes and establish effects of probiotics in salt-stressed giant freshwater prawn farms in Bangladesh” focuses on identification of local probiotic bacteria by screening of local bacterial strains, and observation of the effects of probiotics on salts-stressed prawn. This study includes identification of bacterial pathogens in existing prawn farms with salt impact, detection and isolation of microorganisms with probiotic potential, laboratory testing of bacterial immuno-stimulation in juvenile prawns, small- and large-scale testing of immune-stimulating effects of probiotics in prawn farms, and development of local, village-driven production of promising microorganisms.
  • The PhD scholarship #2 entitled “Efficacy of novel-local microbes and applicability of phage therapy for preventing disease in salinity-threatened giant freshwater prawn farms in Bangladesh” focuses on screening and application of a novel phage therapy for elimination of specific bacterial prawn pathogens in salt-stressed prawn. This study includes isolation of bacteriophages, identification and sequencing of the bacteriophages, testing of phage therapy against bacterial pathogens, development of commercial production of phages, and small- and large-scale testing of phages for elimination of specific prawn pathogens in prawn farms. 

The aim of the research in WP-2 is to use results achieved in the two PhD scholarships improving resilience to emerging diseases of prawns in areas threatened by salt intrusion in Bangladesh.

In addition, the PhDs will be organized to publish a large number of articles in the international refereed scientific journals in cooperation with the senior staff.

According to PSTU PhD admission rule, an applicant for admission to a course of studies for the PhD degree in PSTU shall possess at least one 1st class/Grade B in either Bachelor degree or Master’s degree with thesis from this university having at least Second Class/Grade B- or an equivalent degree from any other university recognized by Postgraduate Studies, and at least one year experience in teaching/research/extension with one publication. An applicant having 1st class with distinction either in Bachelor or Master’s degree (A+/GPA =4) is eligible for admission into PhD course without any experience and publication. 

Detailed descriptions of the aim, content, requirements, financial conditions, and application procedure for each of the 2 (two) PhD scholarships and the application procedure are posted on the PSTU homepage  www.pstu.ac.bd (Professor Dr. M. Lokman Ali) .

Deadline for application is 25 June 2022. Short-listed candidates will be invited to prepare a full research proposal, within each of the mandatory subjects, and to present this in from of a panel of experts from home and abroad.

Patuakhali Science and Technology University

Department of Aquaculture

Faculty of Fisheries

Description of PhD scholarship

Description of PhD scholarship # 1

Develop and manage production of promising local stress-alleviating microbes and establish effects of probiotics in salt-stressed giant freshwater prawn farms in Bangladesh

This PhD project focuses on identification of local probiotic bacteria by screening local bacterial strains, and observe the effects of probiotics on salts-stressed prawn.

The PhD study, and hence the research design and methods must be within the framework set out in work package 2 “Reducing seawater-induced prawn diseases” of the ECOPRAWN project. Research activities in the project are expected to include the following areas:

  1. Screening for bacterial pathogens in existing prawn farms with salt impact. Identification of pathogens by classical cultivation methods, biochemical tests and PCR-based methods. Selected pathogens will be subjected to whole genome sequencing (WGS).
  2. Identification and isolation of microorganisms with probiotic potential: Bacterial strains with potential for probiotic (immuno-boosting) capabilities will be selected from literature reports and by testing local Bangladeshi aquaculture products that are reported to possess probiotic effects.
  3. Cultures of the assumed probiotic bacteria will be tested for immune-stimulating effect by exposure to prawns that are grown at salinity gradients in pilot tanks with typical prawn culture water at PSTU.
  4. Evaluation of successful probiotic bacteria for immune stimulation at large-scale conditions in selected commercial prawn farms.
  5. Commercial propagation of the probiotic bacteria at prawn production area and using locally produced substrates for the bacterial growth will be established.

Applicant must have a master degree with good CGPA in any Department of fisheries discipline to be eligible to apply. Eexperience with field or experimental work, as well as additional scientific publications in Indexed journal, will also be considered when selecting the candidates.

If selected for the scholarship, the applicant must be flexible and able to collaborate with the candidates for the other seven PhD scholarships in the ECOPRAWN project, and adapt research approaches for mutual benefits and project coherence. All eight PhD students in the ECOPRAWN project must collect field data, collaborate in data gathering and share the achieved data.

Applications for the PhD scholarship must be completed using the ECOPRAWN ‘PhD Application Form’ posted on the following homepage www.pstu.ac.bd (Prof. Dr. Md. Lokman Ali).

Deadline for application is June 25, 2022 at 10.00 AM (Bangladesh Time). Applications must be submitted per mail to the address lokman@pstu.ac.bd  where you can also submit any queries you must have in relation to the application process. 

General conditions for the scholarships:

  1. The recipients of the PhD scholarships will be enrolled at Faculty of Fisheries, Patuakhali Science and Technology and at the Science Faculty, University of Copenhagen, with a possibility of obtaining a double degree given that all requirements are met.
  2. The PhD scholarships come with an attractive salary and benefits package.
  3. The PhD scholarship involves 9 months study stay at the KU, possible over two periods.
  4. The recipients of scholarships are expected to commit full time to the PhD study for the entire three year period.

Patuakhali Science and Technology University

Department of Aquaculture

Faculty of Fisheries

Description of PhD scholarship

Description of PhD scholarship # 2

Efficacy of novel-local microbes and applicability of phage therapy for preventing disease in salinity-threatened giant freshwater prawn farms in Bangladesh

This PhD project focuses on screening and application of a novel phage therapy for elimination of specific pathogens in salt-stressed prawn. 

The PhD study, and hence the research design and methods must be within the framework set out in work package 2 “Reducing seawater-induced prawn diseases” of the ECOPRAWN project. Research activities in the project are expected to include the following areas:

  1. Isolation and sequencing of bacteriophages using the in-house methods at University of Copenhagen (Illumina NextSeq550 platform and NEBnext library preparation kit).
  2. Genome assembly, annotations and comparative genomics will be done to select phages with different modes of action. Host range efficiency will be tested against selected and identified bacterial pathogens.
  3. Development of efficient phage formulations (phage cocktails) that will exhibit a maximal diversity and broad host range for the selected pathogens. These cocktails will be consisting of multiple phage strains (>5), likely to increase the efficacy in comparison with single strain-formulations.
  4. Testing of the efficiency of the phage cocktails in a small-scale set-up in combinations of prawns, pathogens and phages. Subsequently, the survival rate of prawns, the number of pathogens and phages (using qPCR), and 16S rRNA gene amplicon libraries will be established. For monitoring the impact of the treatments on the general “pond” microbial diversity, alpha and beta diversity and other community analysis will be applied.
  5. Small- and large-scale testing of phages for elimination of specific prawn pathogens in prawn farms. 

Applicant must have a master degree with good CGPA in any Department of fisheries discipline to be eligible to apply. Eexperience with field or experimental work, as well as additional scientific publications in Indexed journal, will also be considered when selecting the candidates.

If selected for the scholarship, the applicant must be flexible and able to collaborate with the candidates for the other seven PhD scholarships in the ECOPRAWN project, and adapt research approaches for mutual benefits and project coherence. All eight PhD students in the ECOPRAWN project must collect field data, collaborate in data gathering and share the achieved data.

Applications for the PhD scholarship must be completed using the ECOPRAWN ‘PhD Application Form’ posted on the following homepage www.pstu.ac.bd (Prof. Dr. Md. Lokman Ali).

Deadline for application is June 25, 2022 at 10.00 AM (Bangladesh Time). Applications must be submitted per mail to the address lokman@pstu.ac.bd  where you can also submit any queries you must have in relation to the application process. 

General conditions for the scholarships:

  1. The recipients of the PhD scholarships will be enrolled at Faculty of Fisheries, Patuakhali Science and Technology University and at the Science Faculty, University of Copenhagen, with a possibility of obtaining a double degree given that all requirements are met.
  2. The PhD scholarships come with an attractive salary and benefits package.
  3. The PhD scholarship involves 9 months study stay at the KU, possible over two periods.. 
  4. The recipients of scholarships are expected to commit full time to the PhD study for the entire three year period.

PhD Application Form

Applications must be received no later than 25th June 2022

Please read the instructions carefully before completing this application form. Only complete and signed application forms will be processed. The application must be sent per email to lokman@pstu.ac.bd (Prof. Dr. M. Lokman Ali, PSTU). The application email should have two pdf-format attachments; (1) the completed and signed application form in pdf-format and (2) all other supporting documents (see checklist under “Part F‟) compiled into one pdf-file.

Introduction

This application form is for use for applications for PhD scholarships that are part of the research project “ECOPRAWN – Climate-friendly and climate-resilient prawn farming in Bangladesh”. Each scholarship is three and half years full time with start around 1st October 2022. Enrolment will be at Patuakhali Science and Technology University, the Faculty of Fisheries and University of Copenhagen in Denmark on the other. Successful students can thus obtain a double degree.

Who can apply?

Only nationals of Bangladesh can apply. An MS degree in the field of fisheries science or Microbiology must have been completed at the time of application in Bangladesh or abroad.

This application form consists of the following nine parts

•   Part A Personal Details

•   Part B Doctoral Study Synopsis

•   Part C Academic Qualifications & Job experiences

•   Part D Brief Curriculum Vitae

•   Part E References

•   Part F Checklist

•   Part G Other Information

•   Part H Declaration and Signature

How to complete this application form?

  Please write in the indicated boxes. Respect all word limits

  All personal information should correspond with your certificates/passport, e.g. spelling of names

  All documents must either be originals or be certified copies

  Ensure that you complete the checklist, print out the form and sign the declaration on the last page

  All documents should be submitted in the same e-mail

  We recommend keeping photocopies of your application

   Do not include this front page when you submit your application

   Read the “Guidelines to completing the application form”

   Applications can only be submitted electronically

Please return this form and enclosures to this email address:

lokman@pstu.ac.bd  (Prof. Dr. M. Lokman Ali, PSTU).

APPLICATION FORM

Part A  Personal Details

Note – according to passport/official documents. Always supply two email addresses that you use.

First name(s) 
Family name 
Date of birth (dd/mm/yy)     
Nationality 
Sex (M, F) 
Residence address 
E-mail address 
Alternative   E-mail address 

Part B Doctoral Study Synopsis (Max 1500 words excl. references, see Guidelines)

The number and working title below must correspond to those found in the call for applications. Attach the doctoral study synopsis as a separate document and name it “yourfirstname_yoursurname_synopsis.pdf”, e.g. “Godwill_Segesela_synopsis.pdf”

Related to the announced research topic (number and title):

Part C   Academic Qualifications & Job Experience

i. Academic Qualifications

Name of degreeUniversity/ BroadFieldClass/division/ positionYear
S. S. C    
H. S. C    
B.Sc. (Honors)    
M.S./MSc    

ii. Job Experience/Research Experiences:

Name of the postName of Institute/OrganizationService Length
   
   
   

All applicants must include certified copies of official transcripts. Documents not in English should

be accompanied by an official certified translation. Do NOT enclose high school or BSc/BA level transcripts. You must also enclose an official explanation of the grading system.

Part D   Brief Curriculum Vitae (Education; study relevant employment only; list all your publications)

Part E   References

Please list the two academics you have asked to write a letter of recommendation for you. The letters are to be printed on letterhead and signed. We welcome references providing relevant information that cannot be found elsewhere in the application materials, and that contribute to understanding the applicant’s abilities and suitability for doctoral studies.

Referees should directly email their recommendation in pdf version to  lokman@pstu.ac.bd (Prof. Dr. M. Lokman Ali, PSTU) indicating name of the applicant.

First referee

  Name 
  Title 
  Organization 
  Telephone 
  E-mail address 
  Name     Title     Organization     Telephone     E-mail address      

Second referee

Part F          Checklist

I have included the following documents in one pdf-file with my application:

   Certified copy of SSC, HSC and  university degree
   Certified English translation of transcripts, if necessary
   Official explanation of grading system
   Doctoral study synopsis
   Clear copy of passport

Please explain if you did not provide the required information with this application.

Part G   Other information

Equal opportunities

The project applies a policy of equal opportunities for people with special needs. Do you have any physical disability?

Yes:    No:      If yes, please specify

Criminal record

Are you currently under any criminal charges? Yes:    Yes:     No               If yes, please specify

Part H        Declaration & Signature

I declare that the information provided by me is correct and complete. I understand that incomplete information will delay the application process and I accept that incorrect information will render the application invalid.

I declare that I have not previously received a PhD fellowship for doctoral education.

  Date (dd/mm/yy) 
  City, Country 
  Name of applicant 
  Signature 

NOTE:  This application, inclusive of attachments, will only be used for assessment purposes. Personal data is collected and used in accordance with Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on “the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data”.

Submitted material will not be returned.

Guidelines to complete the PhD Application Form

These guidelines provide directions on how to complete the PhD Application Form. They do not provide detailed comments on each part of the application form; these are seen as self- explanatory. Instead the guidelines explain how applications are assessed and thus what you should pay particular attention to when completing your application.

If you have any questions regarding the application, you can address them to lokman@pstu.ac.bd (Prof. Dr.M. Lokman Ali, PSTU).

How are applications assessed?

First, applications are screened for eligibility. You should make sure that your application is complete – pay particular attention to the items mentioned in Part F (Checklist) of the application form.

Eligible applications are then evaluated by the Assessment Committee consisting of a number of senior scholars. The evaluation categories are:

–     Academic performance as indicated by (i) Honors and Masters degree with good CGPA; and (ii) documented research achievements, e.g. publications in international journals with peer review or other indicators of intellectual potential, e.g. relevant working experience in (international) organizations with very competitive selection processes (iii) Laboratory/field research experience (40%).

–     Research synopsis that closely relates to one of the research topics announced by the “ECOPRAWN – Climate-friendly and climate-resilient prawn farming in Bangladesh” project and demonstrates insight and interest in the subject (40%).

–     Recommendations from the two academic references (20%).

Each of the three categories is given a score from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); eligible applicants must not score 3 or lower in any category. All short-listed applicants must score at least 4 (very good) for their submitted research synopsis. The three categories are weighted 40%,

40% and 20%. Overall average score is used to rank all applicants.

Full applications are due 25th June 2022. The best applicants will be short-listed around 5th July 2022 and invited to develop full research proposals (in collaboration with their supervisors; contact to supervisors will be facilitated) by 16 August 2022. Short-listed applicants with full research proposal will be invited for presentation on 21-24 August 2022. We expect to offer contracts to around one-third of the short-listed applicants. The scholarships will commence on 1st October 2022 or soon after.”

What should I pay particular attention to when preparing my application?

The evaluation criteria focus on your academic potential. Here is what we are looking for:

    Convincing research synopsis

Your doctoral study synopsis should be closely aligned with one of the announced research topics, is mandatory. Even though you have limited space, only 1500 words (excluding references), your synopsis should (i) be complete, i.e. include sufficient information to allow an evaluation, (ii) show that you have a good overview and understanding of the relevant literature and the key issues in the research topic field, (iii) contain research questions that you plan to answer, (iv) convince the Assessors that your choice of methods is sound, and (v) that you will be able to undertake the study, i.e. that you have the competences and a realistic work plan. End the synopsis by providing the word count (excl. references).

  Convincing written work

Make sure that any published work is clearly presented in your CV, in particular any peer- reviewed international journal papers. Also make sure that you list any theses, book

chapters, etc.

  Two strong recommendation letters

Letters of recommendation are assessed for additional evidence of your academic achievements, interests, and personal motivation. The Assessment Committee will take into account the academic experience of the referee, as a scholar and as a supervisor of

successful doctoral candidates. You should therefore strive to get letters of recommendations from strong academics.

  Brief Curriculum Vitae

This should show your high level of academic achievement and/or relevant non-academic experiences. Include a complete list of your publications.

  Feed-back

Make your peers and, if at all possible, other experienced people read and comment on your research synopsis before you submit it. Use feed-back to revise and improve the synopsis.

  Consult research proposal writing guidelines

There are many good guides to how to write a convincing research proposal. Read some of these to get additional tips and inspiration on how to improve your proposal.

  Format requirements

Remember that you are only allowed to submit your application as one email with two attached PhD-documents; (1) the completed and signed application form in pdf-format

and (2) all other supporting documents (see checklist under ‘Part F’ in the “PhD Application Form‟) compiled into one pdf-file.

Guidelines for short-listed candidates

Short-listed applicants must develop a full research project description. This note describes how this should be done and when. There are four key steps that may overlap in time: (i) establishment of contact between applicant and supervisors, (ii) development of the full research project description, (iii) submission of the final full project description, and (iv) discussion of the submitted description at personal interview.

Step 1: Development of the full research project description

You are responsible for the development of a draft project description, i.e. the next version of the research synopsis you submitted with your original application. The draft project description must contain information on:

1.  Working title

2.  Project background and justification

3.  Objectives

4.  Research questions

5.  Methods

6.  Risks and ethics of proposed research

7.  Expected outcomes and time schedule (use Gantt chart)

8.  List of references

You may find it useful to re-read the “Guidelines for completing the application form”. Note that the final project description must contain no more than 3,000 words (exclusive of item 8). Specify the number of words used at the end of the project description. Do not exceed the word limit.

The applicant is responsible for submitting the full project description via email attachments to lokman@pstu.ac.bd (Prof. Dr.M. Lokman Ali, PSTU) must not be larger than 12MB in total.

Step 2: Discussion of draft research project description at personal interview

All short-listed applicants, whose full applications are submitted by the deadline, will present their full research project proposal before an assessment committee, consisting of senior university faculty. Each applicant must prepare an oral project presentation lasting no more than 15 minutes. It should start by giving a brief introduction to the interviewee.

Exact time and place will be announced in due time before the interview.