Tele-epidemiology of diarrheal diseases in Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil) in the context of global changes

In 2021, diarrheal diseases were responsible for 1.17 million deaths, of which 340 324 concerned children under 5-years. In Brazil, between 2000 and 2019, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte the prevalence for children under 5-years increased. This last trend was observed in a context of public actions for the improvement in sanitation and stable access to drinking water, questioning the role played by the environment and climate. Recent diarrhea outbreaks in Northeast Brazil have been associated with persistent droughts, because water supply had to rely on inadequate alternative sources. Indeed, following climate change projections in the region, critical decrease of both water quantity and quality is expected to potentially boost the presence, dissemination and transmission of pathogens, leading to an increase in the relative risk of diarrhea illness in the tropics and subtropics: 22% to 29% by 2070-2099. Furthermore, the extension of cultivated areas promotes surface... 

More information : https://amethis.doctorat.org/amethis-client/prd/consulter/offre/2480

Today, there are urgent needs of profiles capable of understanding the medical challenges in their entirety rather than from a strictly health or social point of view. The Breath programme will fill that gap by training excellent researchers.

Breath is supported by the european programme Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie and will recruit 20 talented fellows over two calls. The 20 applicants will have the opportunity to choose among 40 interdisciplinary projects at the intersection between health and Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH). Breath programme is carried by the University of Angers (UA) and the two others public universities in Pays de la Loire: University of Le Mans (LMU) and Nantes University (NU).

Doctoral Candidates (DC) will be systematically supervised by 3 co-supervisors: one expert from SSH, one from Health and one non-academic and/or international expert 

The Breath programme is organised in two calls :
• One call to obtain high level research topics to offer to doctoral candidates
• One call to recruit doctoral candidates on the selected research topics

The Breath programme offers:

A unique experience fully funded during 36-month with attractive employment and salary conditions

Exceptional working and mentoring conditions

Excellent research training in English including a 3-month mandatory secondment

Elaborate training in transferable skills and personal career development support

Cofund Breath’s key figures :

• Overall project duration: 5 years 
• Duration of the PhD: 3 years
• Number of doctoral positions: 10 doctoral contracts fully funded from the 1st October 2026
• Overall cost: 6M euros, with co-financing by the European Commission of 2 million

can be of any nationality

should comply with the mobility rules: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the deadline of the call

can go on short term secondments (3 months)

must not have a doctoral degree

must settle in France