PhD Studentship: HBLB PhD Studentship in Equine Microbiome Research

University of Surrey

The over-arching aim of this project is to improve the health and welfare of retired racehorses. It will document how the gut microbiome of racehorses changes with age and how this impacts on their health, welfare and successful transition from racing to retirement. Specific objectives include:

• Characterisation of the gut microbiome in a population of midlife and older horses retired from racing (cross-sectional study).
• Description of microbiome and welfare associations with horses undergoing retraining and rehoming (longitudinal study).
• The impact of a probiotic dietary supplement on the gut microbiome and welfare of retired racehorses (randomised controlled trial).

This project will provide the scholar with training and experience in animal welfare assessment, microbiome science and advanced multivariable statistical methods. Support for skills development is provided within the Horse Microbiome Research Group and the university’s Doctoral College. Delivery of this project in collaboration with Retraining of Racehorses and Phileo will also provide the scholar with insight into an equine welfare charity and the commercial feed additive industry.

The outcomes of this project will provide policy makers and carers with an evidence-base to inform recommendations that will promote healthy aging of former racehorses undergoing re-training and to ensure their long-term health and welfare.

Supervisors: Professor Chris Proudman and Professor Roberto La Ragione

Entry requirements

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. Starting in January 2026. You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme. Additional requirements: Familiarity with horses and the UK horseracing industry would be helpful for this studentship but not essential. Willingness to travel within the UK for sample and data collection is essential.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via the 'Apply' button above. In place of a research proposal, you should upload a document stating the title of the project that you wish to apply for and a brief statement (up to 500 words) of your motivation to undertake this studentship.

Funding

Fully and directly funded for this project only, funding available for 4 years. Annual stipend of £30,200 for veterinary graduates and £24,400 for science graduates (2025-26) with annual inflation increases. Research training support fund of approx. £21,000 per annum, fees covered.

Application deadline

2 September 2025

Enquiries

Contact Professor Chris Proudman (c.proudman@surrey.ac.uk)