Genetic Data Analyst at the Interbull Centre (Quantitative Geneticists)

Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics
Exciting opportunities

The Interbull Centre is a section of the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), in Uppsala, Sweden. It is contracted by the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) to be the operational unit for the Interbull subcommittee and the Interbeef Working Group. The Interbull Centre is an EU Reference Centre, assisting the European Commission and the EU Member States in issues related to bovine breeding and genetics and performance recording.

The Interbull Centre provides genetic and genomic services and applied research for the improvement of cattle to a worldwide network, involving data from 37 countries on five continents. The first MACE services were implemented in 1995, and our services are continuously evolving and expanding. Genomic evaluation and selection in the cattle industry have brought exciting opportunities to the Interbull Centre (including GMACE, InterGenomics). International beef evaluation (Interbeef) is fast developing and includes new traits, breeds, and countries, bringing exciting opportunities.

The Interbull Centre is expanding its international datahub for pedigree, phenotypic and genotypic information. We now perform international genomic evaluations for Holstein cattle (InterGenomics-Holstein) and enable the exchange of genetic defects and genotypes for dairy and beef. We are also exploring novel evaluation methodologies (meta-analyses such as SNPMace).

A quantitative geneticist in an international network

The Interbull Centre is seeking a quantitative geneticist to strengthen the delivery and development of genetic and genomic evaluations in beef and dairy. You will join an enthusiastic team of 9 persons with backgrounds in genetics and information technology. You will work with many research institutes and breeding organisations, and some of the world’s most renowned animal geneticists represented in Interbull committees and ICAR working groups. You will report to the Interbull Centre director and work in line with the Interbull Centre quality management system. 

Duties:
As a geneticist at the Interbull Centre, you will be part of the team that carries out international genetic and genomic evaluations of bovine populations. The focus is on performing and developing data analysis for service provision, dealing directly with our customers. Responsibilities include data management, computation of genetic evaluations, estimation of genetic parameters, development of new services, contributing to applied research in conjunction with Interbull committees and working groups, service documentation, and support for internal and external users. The position involves attendance at international conferences and technical meetings.

Qualifications:
You shall have a PhD exam in animal/plant breeding, statistical/computational genetics/genomics or related fields. You shall have demonstrated strong analytical skills and a minimum of two years’ experience with quantitative genetic analyses, preferably within genetic evaluation of cattle. You shall also have proficiency in the following skills: working in GNU/Linux, shell scripting, handling of large data sets, and programming skills.

The following experiences and skills are merits: 1) programming in Fortran or Python, or, to a lesser degree, R, 2) experience with genomic evaluations, 3) handling SNP data and 4) bioinformatics.

Our working language is English; good oral and written proficiency in English is required. Documented good communication and presentation skills are a merit. You must be service-minded and able to handle high workload peaks and to take fast and well-motivated decisions. Great importance will be attached to your personal qualities, such as curiosity, accuracy, initiative, and ability to work both independently and as a team player.

Place of work:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Permanent. SLU uses probationary employment.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
As soon as possible (by agreement)

Application:
Applicants shall submit a complete CV, as well as names and contact information of personal references, and a cover letter indicating why you are interested in the position, how you meet the qualification requirements, and why you will become an asset for the Interbull Centre at SLU.

We welcome your application no later than 2020-12-06, use the button below.

Interviews will start as soon as applications have been received.

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.

www.slu.se

SLU is an equal opportunity employer.