Job Description:
SRUC and The Roslin Institute are a co-located world-class centre for the quantitative genetics of populations, particularly in managed populations such as livestock, companion animals, forests and crops. We have a vacancy for a post-doctoral researcher in quantitative genetics to work alongside Prof. John Hickey and Prof. Wayne Powell, on a new project that aims to develop the next generation of breeding program designs that are suited to application in practical breeding programs in low and middle income countries. Genomic selection, genome editing, high-throughput phenotyping and other technologies present an opportunity to fundamentally redesign plant and animal breeding programs. Optimal use of these technologies may require a very different balance in the investments that underpin breeding activities compared to current practice. The post-doctoral researcher will use stochastic simulation to design, optimise and validate a next generation of breeding program designs that harness these new technologies in ways that are applicable to LMICs. The post-doctoral research will do this simultaneously for plant and animal species with the explicit aim to identify similarities and benefit from the synergies that the above-mentioned technologies are generating across animals and plants. The post-doctoral researcher will have access to the data and results of several large projects that we are currently working on which span several species including pigs, chickens, wheat, and cattle. These projects are generating some of the largest livestock and crop data sets that are available to public sector researchers globally. Our wheat data set involves a trial with 3,000 genotyped individuals who are phenotyped intensively in 20,000 plots over two years. Our pig data set comprises 325,000 pigs with high quality whole genome sequence information and phenotypes. The post-holder will also work within a team of ~15 quantitative genetics researchers whose work spans several livestock and plant breeding species as well as humans and encompasses theoretical developments, software and method development, and practical industry application. The post-doctoral researcher will be fully integrated into all of these activities. The successful applicant will have (or be close to having) a PhD in Quantitative Genetics, Computer Science, Statistics, Biology, Mathematics, Bioinformatics or some related area. While experience in the genetic evaluation and analysis of livestock is desirable it is not essential.
Additional Info:
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) is unique in Scotland and one of the largest organisations of its kind in Europe. Our ambitious and exciting vision is to work at local, national and international levels to lead innovation and sustainable development for the agriculture and rural sectors. The post will be based at the Easter Bush Campus near Edinburgh and is fixed term for 3 years in the first instance. The hours of work are 37 per week. The salary will be in the region of £29,427 - £34,537 per annum depending on experience and qualifications. Informal enquires can be made jointly to Wayne Powell and John Hickey while formal applications should be done through the SRUC website. Please note that CVs will not be accepted without a completed application form. Closing date: 16 January 2017 Please quote: R/CS/089/16 SRUC Leading the way in Agricultural and Rural Research, Education & Consultancy SRUC is committed to valuing Diversity, advancing Equality and respecting Human Rights throughout the organisation and encouraging applications from disabled people using the “Two Ticks – Positive about Disabled People” symbol. SRUC is a member of the Athena SWAN charter. SRUC A Charitable company limited by guarantee, SC003712. Registered in Scotland No. C103046[Click Here to Access the Original Job Post]
SRUC and The Roslin Institute are a co-located world-class centre for the quantitative genetics of populations, particularly in managed populations such as livestock, companion animals, forests and crops. We have a vacancy for a post-doctoral researcher in quantitative genetics to work alongside Prof. John Hickey and Prof. Wayne Powell, on a new project that aims to develop the next generation of breeding program designs that are suited to application in practical breeding programs in low and middle income countries. Genomic selection, genome editing, high-throughput phenotyping and other technologies present an opportunity to fundamentally redesign plant and animal breeding programs. Optimal use of these technologies may require a very different balance in the investments that underpin breeding activities compared to current practice. The post-doctoral researcher will use stochastic simulation to design, optimise and validate a next generation of breeding program designs that harness these new technologies in ways that are applicable to LMICs. The post-doctoral research will do this simultaneously for plant and animal species with the explicit aim to identify similarities and benefit from the synergies that the above-mentioned technologies are generating across animals and plants. The post-doctoral researcher will have access to the data and results of several large projects that we are currently working on which span several species including pigs, chickens, wheat, and cattle. These projects are generating some of the largest livestock and crop data sets that are available to public sector researchers globally. Our wheat data set involves a trial with 3,000 genotyped individuals who are phenotyped intensively in 20,000 plots over two years. Our pig data set comprises 325,000 pigs with high quality whole genome sequence information and phenotypes. The post-holder will also work within a team of ~15 quantitative genetics researchers whose work spans several livestock and plant breeding species as well as humans and encompasses theoretical developments, software and method development, and practical industry application. The post-doctoral researcher will be fully integrated into all of these activities. The successful applicant will have (or be close to having) a PhD in Quantitative Genetics, Computer Science, Statistics, Biology, Mathematics, Bioinformatics or some related area. While experience in the genetic evaluation and analysis of livestock is desirable it is not essential.
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Additional Info:
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) is unique in Scotland and one of the largest organisations of its kind in Europe. Our ambitious and exciting vision is to work at local, national and international levels to lead innovation and sustainable development for the agriculture and rural sectors. The post will be based at the Easter Bush Campus near Edinburgh and is fixed term for 3 years in the first instance. The hours of work are 37 per week. The salary will be in the region of £29,427 - £34,537 per annum depending on experience and qualifications. Informal enquires can be made jointly to Wayne Powell and John Hickey while formal applications should be done through the SRUC website. Please note that CVs will not be accepted without a completed application form. Closing date: 16 January 2017 Please quote: R/CS/089/16 SRUC Leading the way in Agricultural and Rural Research, Education & Consultancy SRUC is committed to valuing Diversity, advancing Equality and respecting Human Rights throughout the organisation and encouraging applications from disabled people using the “Two Ticks – Positive about Disabled People” symbol. SRUC is a member of the Athena SWAN charter. SRUC A Charitable company limited by guarantee, SC003712. Registered in Scotland No. C103046[Click Here to Access the Original Job Post]