PhD investigating feline hyperthyroidism - Royal Veterinary College, London, UK

The Royal Veterinary College is offering a 4 year competition funded PhD studentship to study the cause of hyperthyroidism in cats. This is a common feline disease, though its cause is unknown. Certain breeds of cat, such as the Siamese, that are colour-point due to a temperature sensitive mutation which reduces their ability to make melanin except at their cooler extremities, are known to be partially protected from the development of hyperthyroidism. It is postulated that this is because the reduced utilisation of tyrosine for pigmentation makes this amino-acid more available for thyroid hormone synthesis. The successful applicant will be expected to test this hypothesis in several different ways.

The deadline for applications is 23 February 2014. For more information, please visit the job advert.