PhD Student; Dr. med. vet Metabolic Stress in Dairy Cows

Responsibilities

• Planning and implementing a feeding experiment with dairy cows
• Recording of physiological parameters
• Preparing and analysing data
• Producing scientific publications and the thesis in English

• Graduate in veterinary medicine
• Good understanding of farm animal physiology
• Interest in experimental studies with dairy cows
• Good knowledge of current computer programs and statistics
• Very good communication skills and team‑working ability
• Knowledge of two official Swiss languages and English

In grass‑based feeding systems, variable forage quality and availability can lead to metabolic stress in dairy cows. The aim of this project is to investigate acetone in breath as a non‑invasive biomarker for the early detection of restricted nutrient provision. The work will be conducted as an external thesis for the Vetsuisse Faculty at the University of Bern and supervised by Prof.

Josef Gross.

• We are committed to the successful Swiss model and work for the public good.
• We embrace diversity and equal opportunities, drawing on a range of expertise and perspectives.
• We support and advise our employees in the area of physical and mental health.

The 'Ruminant Nutrition and Emissions' Research Group is represented at the Posieux and Tänikon sites. We deal with ruminant physiology, nutrition and husbandry in roughage‑focused feeding systems with the aim of sustainably improving nutrient efficiency, lowering emissions from cattle husbandry, reducing nutrient‑related production diseases, and maintaining high product quality.