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Thesis

You're looking for a topic for your thesis? Underneath you'll find an overview of all thesis opportunities at the Vetmeduni.
There are more thesis in German availabe - please have a look on our German site.

(online since: 06.08.2021)

Description of thesis:

The thesis project will address the involvement of mitochondrial uncoupling proteins in metabolic flexibility in mouse and human cancer cell lines. We will focus on the UCPs expression alterations and its possible cross-talk with changes in malignant cell metabolism.

Requirements:

Ongoing bachelor/master studies (University / University of Applied Science) in a related field (molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biotechnology, biochemistry or equivalent).

  • Interest in cancer biology, strong motivation to engage in the project.
  • High reliability, great team-working skills.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English.
  • Experience in molecular/cell biology techniques would be advantageous.

Further information:

  • You will be part of our young international team with a collaborative and inspiring working atmosphere.
  • A stimulating and dynamic scientific environment with individual supervision. We are familiar with the supervision and execution of bachelor /master theses and we look forward to supporting you accordingly.
  • A financial support according to the guidelines of Vetmed Uni Vienna is possible.

Key data:

  • Start: as soon as possible
  • Duration: k.A.
  • Language: English

Name of organisational unit:

Short Description of the Thesis/Topic:
Calves of the experimental group regularly witness their foster dam interacting gently with a person, whereas calves of the control group witness only the presence of the person. We will conduct behavioural tests and collect saliva samples to assess the quality of the calves' relationship with humans. The candidate will be involved during data collection and analysis.

Required Skills and Knowledge:
Willingness to travel and to stay on a farm for several weeks at a time; ability to work in a team; desirable: experience with handling of cattle; knowledge of applied ethology, animal welfare science and/or the human-animal relationship; experience with the statistical environment R

Additional Information:
Data collection: approx. between March and May 2023 at a farm near Graz

Language of the Thesis:
English or German

Duration of the thesis:
01/02/2023 to 31/07/2023

Name of the Institute/Clinic/Unit:
Institute of Animal Welfare Science

Contact Person for the Thesis/Topic:

Dr. Stephanie Lürzel
E-Mail: stephanie.luerzel@vetmeduni.ac.at
Phone: 01 25077 4911

Prof. Susanne Waiblinger
E-Mail: susanne.waiblinger@vetmeduni.ac.at
Phone:  01 25077 4905

Feedback from students requested by:
30/11/2023

 

Title of the thesis/topic:
Social learning strategies in free-ranging dogs in Morocco

Short description of the thesis/topic:
The project involves observational and non-invasive experimental work with free-ranging dogs in Morocco (Agadir area). We will investigate the social structure and ecology of packs and physical, cognitive and social skills in both puppies and adult dogs.

Requirements:
Candidates will be required to:

  • Carry out behavioural observations of dogs for at least 6 hours a day (in hot weather conditions);
  • Carry out field experiments;
  • Collect saliva and hair samples;
  • Code behaviours from videos;
  • Take care of data entry/management.

Further information:
Students will learn:

  • Complex behavioural observation methods using different kinds of protocols;
  • Census techniques;
  • Field tests of cognitive skills;
  • Non-invasive hormone, isotope and DNA sample collection;
  • Video analysis

Duration of the thesis:
6 months

Start: 
October 2022 (or following months)

Language of the thesis:
English

Contact details:

Name of the organisational unit (Institute/Clinic/Unit):
Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology

Contact person for the thesis:
Giulia Cimarelli, PhD
giulia.cimarelli@vetmeduni.ac.at

Feedback from students requested by: 30.09.2022

 

Title of the thesis:
The relationship between temperament traits in street dogs

Short dscription of the thesis:
The project involves observational and non-invasive experimental work with free-ranging dogs in Morocco (Agadir area). We will investigate the social structure and ecology of packs and physical, cognitive and social skills in both puppies and adult dogs.

Requirements:
Candidates will be required to:

  • Carry out behavioural observations of dogs for at least 6 hours a day (in hot weather conditions);
  • Carry out field experiments;
  • Collect saliva and hair samples;
  • Code behaviours from videos;
  • Take care of data entry/management.

Futher Information:
Students will learn:

  • Complex behavioural observation methods using different kinds of protocols;
  • Census techniques;
  • Field tests of cognitive skills;
  • Non-invasive hormone, isotope and DNA sample collection;
  • Video analysis

Duration of the thesis:
6 months

Start: 
October 2022 (or following months)

Language of the thesis:
English

Contact details:

Name of the organisational unit (Institute/Clinic/Unit):
Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology

Contact person for the thesis:
Giulia Cimarelli, PhD
giulia.cimarelli@vetmeduni.ac.at 

Feedback from students requested by: 30.09.2022

 

Short description of the thesis:

Intense research in the last few decades has shown that dogs are extremely good at reading human social and communicative behavior. However, as compared to social cognition, the cognitive abilities of dogs in the physical domain have been relatively sparsely studied. As a result, it still remains unclear what dogs know about physical relations, for instance about the fact that an object can have an impact on the movements of another one (i.e., means-end understanding).

A usual way of studying means-end understanding in animals is Piaget’s “support problem”- which involves a goal object (e.g., food) that is out of a subject’s reach, but is resting on a support (e.g., a wooden board) that is within the subject’s reach. The task is based on the assumption that if an animal understands the physical properties of the wooden board it uses it as a means to an end, i.e., pulls the support to get the reward into reach. Animals without means-end understanding will only be able to succeed through repeated exposure allowing for associative learning.

In this study, dogs will be tested in a variation of the support problem – known as the “on/off task”. Dogs will need to retrieve an out-of-reach food reward placed behind a physical barrier (fence). While the reward itself is out of reach, it is physically connected to a wooden board within the dog’s reach. Dogs will be presented with two wooden boards - one board with a food reward on top of it (ON board), and another board with a reward placed next to it (OFF board). Successful retrieval of the treat requires the dogs to pull the appropriate board by pawing the wooden until the treat emerges from under the barrier.

Two groups of dogs will be tested repeatedly in two experimental conditions: 1) in the natural condition, dogs will be able to retrieve the reward by pulling the ON board. The reward placed next to the OFF board will not move if dogs pull on this board; 2) in the magic condition, dogs will be able to retrieve the reward by pulling the OFF board. The reward placed on the ON board will not move if dogs pull on this board. The main hypothesis is that, if solving the task is based on associative learning, dogs will learn the causally correct (i.e., natural) and causally incorrect (i.e., magic version) versions of the task similarly fast. However, if dogs have a certain level of means-end understanding, they will learn faster in the causally correct version than in the magic one.

Testing will take place in the Clever Dog Lab (link) and will be carried out by two master students who will collaborate to 1) conduct the behavioral testing, 2) conduct qualitative/quantitative behaviour coding (live and from videos), and 3) statistically analyse the data.

Requirements:

  • Experience with animal/dog handling
  • Basic knowledge in statistics using R
  • Excellent teamwork skills

 

Further information:

The students will learn how to design behavioral studies, conduct behavioral testing, conduct qualitative/quantitative behaviour coding (live and from videos), and statistically analyse data using the appropriate statistical methods.

Key data of the thesis:

  • Duration of the thesis: 6 months
  • Start: as soon as possible
  • Language of the thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

  • Organisational Unit: Messerli Research Institute, Comparative Cognition Unit/ Clever Dog Lab
  • Contact persons: Christiana Tsiourti (christiana.tsiourti@vetmeduni.ac.at)  /Zsófia Virányi (Zsofia.Viranyi@vetmeduni.ac.at) /

Short Description of the Thesis/Topic:
Calves of the experimental group regularly witness their foster dam interacting gently with a person, whereas calves of the control group witness only the presence of the person. We will conduct behavioural tests and collect saliva samples to assess the quality of the calves' relationship with humans. The candidate will be involved during data collection and analysis.

Required Skills and Knowledge:
Willingness to travel and to stay on a farm for several weeks at a time; ability to work in a team; desirable: experience with handling of cattle; knowledge of applied ethology, animal welfare science and/or the human-animal relationship; experience with the statistical environment R

Additional Information:
Data collection: approx. between March and May 2023 at a farm near Graz

Language of the Thesis:
English or German

Duration of the thesis:
01/02/2023 to 31/07/2023

Name of the Institute/Clinic/Unit:
Institute of Animal Welfare Science

Contact Person for the Thesis/Topic:

Dr. Stephanie Lürzel
E-Mail: stephanie.luerzel@vetmeduni.ac.at
Phone: 01 25077 4911

Prof. Susanne Waiblinger
E-Mail: susanne.waiblinger@vetmeduni.ac.at
Phone:  01 25077 4905

Feedback from students requested by:
30/11/2023

 

 

Short Description of the Thesis/Topic:

Intestinal organoids are a highly sophisticated three-dimensional in vitro model to investigate the physiology and pathophysiology of the epithelium. We have established canine intestinal organoid cultures from all different sections of the dog intestine, which can be used for disease modelling. In contrast to rodents, dogs also spontaneously develop inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) just as humans do and therefore pose a relevant model for translational research. 
The successful applicant will develop a lentiviral gene transfer system to transfect canine organoids with a redox sensitive protein to analyse the redox status of organoids in live cell imaging. Furthermore organoids from healthy donors can be compared to organoids from IBD patients or healthy organoids can be manipulated to more closely resemble a disease state.

Required Skills and Knowledge:

• BSc Degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biomedicine or a related subject
• Experience with sterile cell culture work
• Fluent in English

Additional Information:

Prerequisites:
• Interest in infection biology, strong motivation to engage in the project
• High reliability and great team-working skills
• Experience with molecular/cell biology techniques
• Experience with imaging techniques
• Experience with lentiviral gene transfer

Language of the Thesis:
English

Duration of the thesis:
6 months

Contact Person for the Thesis/Topic (Name, E-Mail,Phone):

Georg Csukovich, MSc; E-Mail: georg.csukovich@vetmeduni.ac.at; +43 1 25077-6547 

Feedback from students requested by:
asap

Name of the Institute/Clinic/Unit:
Small Animal Internal Medicine

Title of the thesis/topic:
Social learning strategies in free-ranging dogs in Morocco

Short description of the thesis/topic:
The project involves observational and non-invasive experimental work with free-ranging dogs in Morocco (Agadir area). We will investigate the social structure and ecology of packs and physical, cognitive and social skills in both puppies and adult dogs.

Requirements:
Candidates will be required to:

  • Carry out behavioural observations of dogs for at least 6 hours a day (in hot weather conditions);
  • Carry out field experiments;
  • Collect saliva and hair samples;
  • Code behaviours from videos;
  • Take care of data entry/management.

Further information:
Students will learn:

  • Complex behavioural observation methods using different kinds of protocols;
  • Census techniques;
  • Field tests of cognitive skills;
  • Non-invasive hormone, isotope and DNA sample collection;
  • Video analysis

Duration of the thesis:
6 months

Start: 
October 2022 (or following months)

Language of the thesis:
English

Contact details:

Name of the organisational unit (Institute/Clinic/Unit):
Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology

Contact person for the thesis:
Giulia Cimarelli, PhD
giulia.cimarelli@vetmeduni.ac.at

Feedback from students requested by: 30.09.2022

Title of the thesis:
The relationship between temperament traits in street dogs

Short dscription of the thesis:
The project involves observational and non-invasive experimental work with free-ranging dogs in Morocco (Agadir area). We will investigate the social structure and ecology of packs and physical, cognitive and social skills in both puppies and adult dogs.

Requirements:
Candidates will be required to:

  • Carry out behavioural observations of dogs for at least 6 hours a day (in hot weather conditions);
  • Carry out field experiments;
  • Collect saliva and hair samples;
  • Code behaviours from videos;
  • Take care of data entry/management.

Futher Information:
Students will learn:

  • Complex behavioural observation methods using different kinds of protocols;
  • Census techniques;
  • Field tests of cognitive skills;
  • Non-invasive hormone, isotope and DNA sample collection;
  • Video analysis

Duration of the thesis:
6 months

Start: 
October 2022 (or following months)

Language of the thesis:
English

Contact details:

Name of the organisational unit (Institute/Clinic/Unit):
Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology

Contact person for the thesis:
Giulia Cimarelli, PhD
giulia.cimarelli@vetmeduni.ac.at 

Feedback from students requested by: 30.09.2022

Short description of the thesis:

Intense research in the last few decades has shown that dogs are extremely good at reading human social and communicative behavior. However, as compared to social cognition, the cognitive abilities of dogs in the physical domain have been relatively sparsely studied. As a result, it still remains unclear what dogs know about physical relations, for instance about the fact that an object can have an impact on the movements of another one (i.e., means-end understanding).

A usual way of studying means-end understanding in animals is Piaget’s “support problem”- which involves a goal object (e.g., food) that is out of a subject’s reach, but is resting on a support (e.g., a wooden board) that is within the subject’s reach. The task is based on the assumption that if an animal understands the physical properties of the wooden board it uses it as a means to an end, i.e., pulls the support to get the reward into reach. Animals without means-end understanding will only be able to succeed through repeated exposure allowing for associative learning.

In this study, dogs will be tested in a variation of the support problem – known as the “on/off task”. Dogs will need to retrieve an out-of-reach food reward placed behind a physical barrier (fence). While the reward itself is out of reach, it is physically connected to a wooden board within the dog’s reach. Dogs will be presented with two wooden boards - one board with a food reward on top of it (ON board), and another board with a reward placed next to it (OFF board). Successful retrieval of the treat requires the dogs to pull the appropriate board by pawing the wooden until the treat emerges from under the barrier.

Two groups of dogs will be tested repeatedly in two experimental conditions: 1) in the natural condition, dogs will be able to retrieve the reward by pulling the ON board. The reward placed next to the OFF board will not move if dogs pull on this board; 2) in the magic condition, dogs will be able to retrieve the reward by pulling the OFF board. The reward placed on the ON board will not move if dogs pull on this board. The main hypothesis is that, if solving the task is based on associative learning, dogs will learn the causally correct (i.e., natural) and causally incorrect (i.e., magic version) versions of the task similarly fast. However, if dogs have a certain level of means-end understanding, they will learn faster in the causally correct version than in the magic one.

Testing will take place in the Clever Dog Lab (link) and will be carried out by two master students who will collaborate to 1) conduct the behavioral testing, 2) conduct qualitative/quantitative behaviour coding (live and from videos), and 3) statistically analyse the data.

Requirements:

  • Experience with animal/dog handling
  • Basic knowledge in statistics using R
  • Excellent teamwork skills

 

Further information:

The students will learn how to design behavioral studies, conduct behavioral testing, conduct qualitative/quantitative behaviour coding (live and from videos), and statistically analyse data using the appropriate statistical methods.

Key data of the thesis:

  • Duration of the thesis: 6 months
  • Start: as soon as possible
  • Language of the thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

  • Organisational Unit: Messerli Research Institute, Comparative Cognition Unit/ Clever Dog Lab
  • Contact persons: Christiana Tsiourti (christiana.tsiourti@vetmeduni.ac.at)  /Zsófia Virányi (Zsofia.Viranyi@vetmeduni.ac.at) /

Level of employment: full time (30 hours/week)
Length of employment: 3-4 years
Deadline for applications: 1.12.2021 (position will remain vacant until filled)
Start: January 2022 or any time thereafter (negotiable)
Project Description
Several Doctoral/PhD positions are open at the Christian-Doppler Christian-Doppler-Laboratory for Innovative Gut Health Concepts in Livestock (CDL-LiveGUT) located at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna/Austria. In a nutshell, the aim of the research is to understand the molecular basis of rumen/gut microbiome × host interactions both driven from the animal individual characteristics and the diet. Upon this knowledge, feeding strategies will be tested to better exploit the such benefical interactions and enhance gastrointestinal health. The CDL-LiveGUT is joint research cluster that brings together various disciplines of animal nutrition, microbial ecology, gut physiology, and biomarker discovery, with a main goal to enhance gut health in farm animals by developing early biomarkers of gut health disorders and feeding approaches to prevent them.

www.cdg.ac.at/forschungseinheiten/labor/innovative-darmgesundheitskonzepte-bei-nutztieren


Tasks
Under close guidance of senior researchers and laboratory staff, the main tasks of the positions are:
• Preparation of the experimental protocols
• Performance of the animal experiments, as well as ex vivo and in vitro trials
• Laboratory analyses using various platforms such as chemical, molecular biological and immunohistochemistry
• Data analysis using various data mining approaches
• Preparation of manuscripts for scientific journals and research reports
• Dissemination of research data at conferences, meetings and other venues
• Participation in journal clubs, seminars and courses of the graduate school
• Assisting in teaching some classes relative to their PhD program
Requirements
We are seeking highly motivated and creative young scientists. Candidates with strong interests in animal nutrition, digestive physiology, and animal health are welcome to apply. They will be part of a large team at the CDL-LiveGUT, so that a teamwork spirit is necessary. Other specific requirements are:
• Diploma/MSc in Veterinary Science, Animal Science, Biological Sciences or with similar backgrounds
• Experience/interests and curiosity for advanced animal research
www.vetmeduni.ac.at/tierernaehrung
• The candidates with backgrounds in biology/molecular biology with animal experience are highly preferred
• Excellent working knowledge of English
Remuneration, benefits and contact application
The positions are for up to 4 years and will lead to graduation. The actual monthly remuneration for a PhD position at the University is 2.228,60 EUR (paid 14 times per year) with a 3% yearly increment. The employment includes also an attractive social security, health insurance and retirement package. Furthermore, in the framework of the University support program for employees several other benefits are available such as Christmas vouchers, professional coaching, language courses, health consultations etc. The employment place will be at the Campus of the University and at University Research Farm in Kremesberg (around 50 km from Vienna).
Contact /Further Information
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Qendrim Zebeli, T +43 1-25077-3200, E qendrim.zebeli@vetmeduni.ac.at
www.vetmeduni.ac.at/tierernaehrung
To apply, please send your application (CV, short description of research interests, copies of certificates obtained, reference contacts and any eventual publication list) to: qendrim.zebeli@vetmeduni.ac.at. Review of applications will start by December 1, 2021. Positions will remain vacant until adequate applicants are hired.

Level of employment: full time (30 hours/week)
Length of employment: 3-4 years
Deadline for applications: 1.12.2021 (position will remain vacant until filled)
Start: January 2022 or any time thereafter (negotiable)
Project Description
Several Doctoral/PhD positions are open at the Christian-Doppler Christian-Doppler-Laboratory for Innovative Gut Health Concepts in Livestock (CDL-LiveGUT) located at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna/Austria. In a nutshell, the aim of the research is to understand the molecular basis of rumen/gut microbiome × host interactions both driven from the animal individual characteristics and the diet. Upon this knowledge, feeding strategies will be tested to better exploit the such benefical interactions and enhance gastrointestinal health. The CDL-LiveGUT is joint research cluster that brings together various disciplines of animal nutrition, microbial ecology, gut physiology, and biomarker discovery, with a main goal to enhance gut health in farm animals by developing early biomarkers of gut health disorders and feeding approaches to prevent them.

www.cdg.ac.at/forschungseinheiten/labor/innovative-darmgesundheitskonzepte-bei-nutztieren


Tasks
Under close guidance of senior researchers and laboratory staff, the main tasks of the positions are:
• Preparation of the experimental protocols
• Performance of the animal experiments, as well as ex vivo and in vitro trials
• Laboratory analyses using various platforms such as chemical, molecular biological and immunohistochemistry
• Data analysis using various data mining approaches
• Preparation of manuscripts for scientific journals and research reports
• Dissemination of research data at conferences, meetings and other venues
• Participation in journal clubs, seminars and courses of the graduate school
• Assisting in teaching some classes relative to their PhD program
Requirements
We are seeking highly motivated and creative young scientists. Candidates with strong interests in animal nutrition, digestive physiology, and animal health are welcome to apply. They will be part of a large team at the CDL-LiveGUT, so that a teamwork spirit is necessary. Other specific requirements are:
• Diploma/MSc in Veterinary Science, Animal Science, Biological Sciences or with similar backgrounds
• Experience/interests and curiosity for advanced animal research
www.vetmeduni.ac.at/tierernaehrung
• The candidates with backgrounds in biology/molecular biology with animal experience are highly preferred
• Excellent working knowledge of English
Remuneration, benefits and contact application
The positions are for up to 4 years and will lead to graduation. The actual monthly remuneration for a PhD position at the University is 2.228,60 EUR (paid 14 times per year) with a 3% yearly increment. The employment includes also an attractive social security, health insurance and retirement package. Furthermore, in the framework of the University support program for employees several other benefits are available such as Christmas vouchers, professional coaching, language courses, health consultations etc. The employment place will be at the Campus of the University and at University Research Farm in Kremesberg (around 50 km from Vienna).
Contact /Further Information
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Qendrim Zebeli, T +43 1-25077-3200, E qendrim.zebeli@vetmeduni.ac.at
www.vetmeduni.ac.at/tierernaehrung
To apply, please send your application (CV, short description of research interests, copies of certificates obtained, reference contacts and any eventual publication list) to: qendrim.zebeli@vetmeduni.ac.at. Review of applications will start by December 1, 2021. Positions will remain vacant until adequate applicants are hired.
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