Thesis

(online since: 03.08.2018)

Short description of the thesis:

Ruminants are fed diets rich in concentrates to enhance their energy intake and production. However, such feeding can result in depressed ruminal pH which in turn can lead to microbial dysbipsis, suboptimal digestion and systemic inflammation ultimately impairing the overall health and productivity. There is growing interest in natural feed additives in livestock production to maintain a healthy gut. Some plants rich in secondary compounds show their protective effect against ruminal acidosis. Research data indicate that plant derived alkaloids express selective antimicrobial effects and might be more effective in animals under physiologically stressful conditions. Plant derived alkaloids, such as sanguinarine, have already been used as feed addtives in pigs and poultry but less is known in ruminants.

The current project tests the dose effect of a feed additive containing sanguinarine as a major active compound on rumen fermentation in response to normal and acidic rumen conditions using an in vitro system (RUmen Simulation Technique, RUSITEC).

Requirements:

• An interest in ruminant nutrition and rumen health
• An interest in learning Rumen simulation technique (Rusitec) and lab analytical methods
• Knowledge of English (speaking and writing)

Further information:

-

Key data of the thesis:

• Duration of thesis: 3 months
• Start: September 2018
• Language of thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

• Institute: Institute of Animal Nutrion and Functional Plant Compounds
• Contact: Dr. Ratchaneewan Khiaosa-Ard
  T +43 1 25077-3221
• Feedback required until 31.08.2018

(online since: 28.03.2018)

Short description of the thesis:

Males and females differ in many traits, including morphology, physiology and behavior. This sexual dimorphism is due to the difference in the reproductive roles of the two sexes. In our lab, we have evolved several fruit fly populations to a novel environment. This project tests the hypothesis that after more than one hundred generations in the lab, the two sexes have evolved in their sexual behavior, such as chasing, courtship or copulation. We will perform high-throughput behavioral phenotyping using real-time tracking system and automated behavior recognition approaches to identify and quantify behavioral differences. This project would give you opportunity to study behavior in an evolutionary framework.

Requirements:

• strong interest in sexual behavior and evolution
• interest to study complex behavior using state of the art computer based data analysis

Further information:

• The project includes training the student in culturing and phenotyping of flies
• The project is embedded in an international research team

Key data of the thesis:

• Duration of thesis: 6 months
  
• Start: asap
• Language of thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

• Institute: Institute of Population Genetics
• Contact:
  Sheng-Kai Hsu, MSc
  Send E-Mail to Sheng-Kai Hsu
  T +43 1 25077-4339
  

(Online since 15.03.2018)

Short description of the thesis:

The mammalian oviduct hosts fertilization and the early embryonic development. Oviductal fluid molecules establish the favourable microenviroment that influence amongst others embryonal genome reprogramming and contribute further to the embryo development.Thus mimicking this micromilieu is a long-term goal to optimize in vitro culture systems and to increase embryo quality. In the present project we aim at (i) accessing the in vivo milieu by endoscopic technology and (ii) characterizing the function of these molecules in in vitro fertilization procedures in cattle.

Requirements:

Degree in Veterinary Medicine/ Medicine or Life Sciences

The project focuses on collection of bovine oviductal fluid samples, proteomics, in vitro production of embryos and immunohistochemical analyses. Interest and initial experience in one of these areas will therefore be paramount for the successful candidate.

Further information:

Reproduction Centre Wieselburg (RCW) and Institute of Biotechnology in Animal Production (IFA Tulln) are located in Lower Austria.

Key data of the thesis:

• Duration of the thesis: 3 years
  
• Start: asap
• Language of the thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

• Organisational Unit: Reproduktionszentrum Wieselburg und Institut für Biotechnologie in der Tierproduktion, IFA Tulln
• Contact person:
  Ao. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Urban Besenfelder; Dr. Corina Mayrhofer
  T +43 1 47654-97510
  Send E-Mail to Urban Besenfelder
  Send E-Mail to Corina Mayrhofer
  

(Thesis online since 31.07.2018)

Short description of the thesis:

measurements of the transport function of transmembrane proteins in artificial lipid membranes and giant liposomes

Requirements:

You studied Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Physics or Biophysical Chemistry, and you speak English fluently. You are interested in electrophysiological experiments, membrane biophysics, molecular biology and structure/function of mitochondrial proteins.

Further information:

30h/week.
Your additional responsibilities will be participation in collaborative projects and teaching of practical courses for students of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedicine.

Key data:

• Duration of thesis: up to 3-4 years
• Start: October 1 2018
• Language of thesis: English or German

Name of organisational unit/clinic/institute:

• Unit: Physiology and Biophysics
• Contact person:
  Univ.-Prof. Dr. Elena Pohl
  Send E-Mail to Elena Pohl
  T +43 1 25077-4570
• Response requested until 21.09.2018

(Thesis online since 15.03.2018)

Short description of the thesis:

The PhD researcher will perform research in poultry parasitology/vaccinology. The focus is on the development of protection strategies against histomonosis by vaccination. Combining modern laboratory techniques with animal trials are the main focus of the project.

Requirements:

Graduation in Veterinary Medicine or other disciplines relevant to the research topic.
Demonstration of skills gained during practical stays or other engagements should be supplied to support the application.
The candidate should demonstrate the ability and willingness to work in an interdisciplinary and international environment.
A fluent knowledge of the English language is required. Additional language skills in German are an additional asset.

Further information:

The position is located at the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV) at the Clinical Unit for Poultry Medicine, Vetmeduni Vienna, Austria. Training and education will be done according to the regulations of the Graduate School for Pig and Poultry Medicine (PaP; www.vetmeduni.ac.at/de/graduate-school-pig-and-poultry medicine ³);
Conditions of the Austrian Science Fund (www.FWF.ac.at ⁴) apply for the salary.

Key data:

• Duration of thesis: -
  
• Start: -
• Language of thesis: English

Name of organisational unit/clinic/institute:

• Unit: University Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine
• Contact person:
  Mag. Tamas Hatfaludi
  Send E-Mail to Tamas Hatfaludi
  T +43 1 25077-4727