Post-doc position in Genomic Prediction and Association Genetics

Department of Plant Breeding, SLU, Alnarp

The Department of Plant Breeding teaches and performs strategic and applied research on horticultural and agricultural crops with the aim to provide knowledge, tools and products for a bio-based economy, improved environment and human health. In the plant breeding division, we use a wide range of both conventional and modern breeding technologies, ranging from field experiments and evaluation of genetic diversity to genetic, omics, biotechnological, biochemical and physiological approaches. Read more about the department here. 

The project

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that occurs naturally in the environment and is taken up by plants. High Cd concentration in plants negatively influences plant growth and human health. The main goal of this project, funded by SLU Grogrund, is to identify winter wheat and oat genotypes that show reduced Cd grain content independent from Cd soil levels and develop prediction models and diagnostic markers that can be used in breeding programs as well as the official VCU testing. The project is a collaboration between the Department of Plant Breeding, the Department of Soil and Environment, the Department of Crop Production Ecology and Lantmännen AB. The work will include periods of travel between collaborating organizations and field trials.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Duties:
The Post-doc will phenotype winter wheat and oat genotypes in the field for agronomic traits, perform statistical analyses, analyse Cd concentration in winter wheat and oat kernels, perform genome-wide association studies and develop a genomic prediction model for genotypes with a stable low Cd uptake. The position involves disseminating and publishing results for both public and scientific audiences on both a national and international level as well as in peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, the successful candidate will assist in supervising BSc, MSc and PhD students.

Qualifications:
As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is three years old at most.
 
Qualifications


• PhD in breeding/genetics
• Excellent command of spoken and written English
• Sound knowledge of theoretical and applied quantitative genetics
• Expert knowledge in genomic prediction modelling
• Strong command line and coding/programming skills (e.g. R, Python, Linux systems) and experience with software for the processing and analyses of large genomic sets
• Proven experience in writing and publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Ability to work in a team as well as independently, organize and prioritize workload is essential

Meritorious


• Experience in GWAS
• Knowledge and experience in phenotyping crops under field conditions
• Lab experience


Place of work:
Alnarp

Form of employment:
Temporary employment 24 months, with the possibility of extension.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
February 2023 or according to agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2023-01-09, use the button below.

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



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives, but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world.

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.

www.slu.se