PhD Studentship: Are Behavioural Signs Associated with CKD in Cats More Apparent to Owners than Clinical Signs?

Location Langford Campus (60%)

Contract 4-year studentship

The project:

Cognitive dysfunction in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) provides a previously unexplored opportunity to identify associated behavioural changes. Behavioural changes may be more apparent to owners of cats with CKD, particularly in the earlier stages of disease when clinical signs are less evident. Recognition of associated behavioural changes may provide an additional tool to identify cats in which screening for CKD would be recommended. 

The Zoetis Feline scholarship provides a unique opportunity to work with the University of Bristol Animal Welfare and Behaviour group (Animal Welfare and Behaviour | Bristol Veterinary School | University of Bristol), Bristol Cats Bristol Cats Study | Bristol Veterinary School | University of Bristol, Feline Centre, Langford Vets Referral Hospital Langford Vets - Feline Centre and Zoetis Animal Health (Homepage | Zoetis UK). 

The successful candidate will undertake home visits to validate simple behavioural tests, providing an objective scoring system for owners to evaluate cognitive dysfunction in cats. The validated behavioural test will be studied in cats with CKD to provide an objective measure of cognitive dysfunction. A questionnaire-based study will document the clinical and behavioural signs in cats with CKD. By studying data on conventional clinical signs and cognitive dysfunction, the candidate will determine if behavioural signs associated with CKD are more apparent to owners than conventional clinical signs, with the overall aim of providing a tool to identify early-stage disease. Alongside this programme of work, the successful candidate will establish a renal clinic based within the Feline Centre, Langford Vets and supported by a feline nurse and RCVS Specialists in Feline Medicine. A biobank of samples will be generated and utilised for preliminary investigations into the pathophysiology of cognitive dysfunction in CKD. 

The Zoetis Feline scholar may have the opportunity to undertake a placement with the Zoetis renal research and development team in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. 

How to apply:

Please initially express your interest for this project by contacting Emily.blackwell@bristol.ac.uk and natalie.finch@bristol.ac.uk. Following this apply online at http://www.bris.ac.uk/pg-howtoapply. Please select ‘Online Application Portal’, type ‘Veterinary’ in the find a course box and then select ‘Veterinary Science (4 year)(PhD)’. Please enter details of the studentship when prompted in the Funding and Research Details sections of the form. Please use your personal statement to demonstrate any skills or experience you have that are relevant to this project. 

Candidate requirements: 

The ideal candidate will be a veterinary surgeon with enthusiasm for feline medicine and communicating with cat owners. The successful applicant will be required to participate in a renal clinic generating clinical data and samples for CKD research. The candidate will primarily be based at the Langford campus but may be required to attend courses and undertake some work at the central Bristol campus. 

Essential

• Standard University of Bristol eligibility rules apply (http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/2021/health-sciences/phd-veterinary-sciences/)
• Veterinary Surgeon (MRCVS)
• Enthusiasm for cats

Desirable

• Research experience is desirable, but not essential 

Funding:

This is a 4 year fully funded studentship by Zoetis Animal Health. The studentship is open to applicants eligible for “Home” fees. International students are welcome to apply but must be able to fund the difference between UK and International tuition fees. 

Contacts:

We welcome informal enquiries – these should be directed to Emily Blackwell (emily.blackwell@bristol.ac.uk) and Natalie Finch (Natalie.finch@bristol.ac.uk)

Advert information