Short Description of the Thesis/Topic:
Within this project, in an interdisciplinary approach we seek to better understand the host- pathogen interaction in wild animals. Using the trematode model, that infects different deer species and resides in the liver, we want to analyse the nematode epitopes that are presented to the  host cells and find potential binding partners within the innate immune system of animal species. In this research project the candidate will get expeience in collecting biopsy samples, as well as preparation  and analysis of tissues for further biochemical and genetical analysis. 
The collected dataset will be incorporated in a running research project with national and international cooperation partners. 

Required Skills and Knowledge:
High motivation
Student eager on getting experience in ground research work and applied infection biology
Interest in pathology, immunology and bioanalytical research

Additional Information:
The experimental part will take place at the FIWI - Institue in Vienna
Laboratory space and working space (office if necessary) will be made available for the potential master candidate

Language of the Thesis:
English or German

Duration of the thesis:
01.05.2026-01.11.2026

Name of the Institute/Clinic/Unit:
FIWI- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Science

Contact Person for the Thesis:

Ass. Prof. Dr. Alba Hykollari 

alba.hykollari@vetmeduni.ac.at
Tel: +43250777120

Feedback from students requested by:
31.03.2026

Short Description of the Thesis/Topic:
With this behavioral study, we are investigating dogs’ sensitivity to human iconic gestures—actions that resemble the movement or manipulation of an object (e.g., moving hands up and down to mimic the flapping of bird wings). Successful applicants will have the opportunity to test dogs in a two-choice task, where the dog should choose between two moving apparatuses based on the experimenter's gesture. The main responsibilities and required knowledge during the internship will include: recruiting dogs’ caregivers, for example through our database and social media, testing dogs in behavioral experiments, coding behavioral videos, reading scientific literature and placing your findings into context and writing experimental protocols and documenting progress. If you are interested in dogs’ behavior and cognition, this internship could be a great opportunity for you.

Required Skills and Knowledge:
Interest in, and ideally experience with, dogs
Good interpersonal skills (to recruit and interact with dogs' caregivers)
Flexible time management and the ability to plan and work independently in the lab.

Additional Information:
What we offer:  International, friendly, and supportive team
 A well-equipped environment for behavioral research
 Training and experience in animal cognition research, dog handling, and behavioral data collection.
Interested candidates may reply until: As soon as possible
Duration: At least 4 months

Language of the Thesis:
English

Name of the Institute/Clinic/Unit:
Messerli Research Institute, Clever Dog Lab

Contact Person for the Thesis/Topic:
Contact: Ana Tomasic, PhD candidate (ana.tomasic@vetmeduni.ac.at)
Supervisor: Dr. Christoph Völter (Christoph.Voelter@vetmeduni.ac.at)

Feedback from students requested by:
As soon as possible

Short Description of the Thesis/Topic:
Colitis is a frequent and serious problem in horses as well as humans. The pathophysiological mechanisms are supposed to involve a complex crosstalk between immune cells and epithelial cells that results in destruction of the epithelial barrier and further progression of disease. This project aims to establish a co-culture model of equine colon epithelium and immune cells to characterize the signalling pathways involved and to test new therapeutic approaches.

Required Skills and Knowledge:
High motivation, experience in cell culture work and/or molecular biology;  
BSc degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biomedicine or a related subject 

Further Information:
We offer a highly supportive team, established methods and guidance by supervisor and colleagues.

Language of the Thesis:
German or English

Duration of the thesis:
6 months

Name of the Institute/Clinic/Unit:
Institute of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics, Department of Biomedical Sciences & Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Contact Person for the Thesis:
Franziska Dengler - Franziska.dengler@vetmdeuni.ac.at
Jessika Cavalleri - Jessika.cavalleri@vetmeduni.ac.at

Feedback from students requested by:
as soon as possible, flexible starting date

Please send a short CV and motivation letter.

Short Description of the Thesis/Topic:

Topics include:
    •    The role of deleterious mutations for adaptation and maintenance of variation.
    •    Long-term adaptation of local Drosophila populations.
    •    The evolution of ageing.
    •    Inference of selection signatures from time-series data.
    •    Studying the genotype-phenotype map.
    •    Stabilising selection during polygenic adaptation.
    •    Evolution of regulatory networks.

Required Skills and Knowledge:
Over the past years, Vienna has developed into one of the leading centres of population genetics. The Vienna Graduate School of Population Genetics has been founded to provide a training opportunity for PhD students to build on this excellent on-site expertise.

We invite applications from highly motivated and outstanding students with a love for evolutionary research and a background in one of the following disciplines: evolutionary genetics, functional genetics, theoretical or experimental population genetics, bioinformatics, mathematics, statistics.
 

Additional Information:
Only complete applications (application form, CV, motivation letter, university certificates, indication of the two preferred topics in a single pdf) received by 14 May 2025 will be considered. Two letters of recommendation need to be sent directly by the referees.

PhD students will receive a monthly salary based on currently € 2.464,80 before tax according to the regulations of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF).

All information about the about available topics, the training program and the application procedure can be found at www.popgen-vienna.at

Planned duration of the thesis project:
01.07.2025 to 01.09.2028

Language of the Thesis:
English

Name of the Institute/Clinic/Unit:
Inst. für Populationsgenetik

Contact Person for the Thesis:

Mag. Elisabeth Wagner-Weigerstorfer PhD
elisabeth.wagner-weigerstorfer@vetmeduni.ac.at
Coordinator, Vienna Graduate School of Population Genetics
Institut für Populationsgenetik, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien

T +43 1 25077 4302

Interested candidates may reply until: 
14.05.2025