Postdoc in precision livestock farming

Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics
A position as postdoc is available at the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, at SLU, Uppsala. Our vision is "Better Use of Genetic Resources". The department has about 60 co-workers we work with applied animal breeding, molecular genetics, quantitative genetics and bioinformatics. (Animalgenetics). The postdoc will work  together with researchers at the Beijer Laboratory for Animal Science (https://www.slu.se/en/faculties/vh/research/forskningsprojekt/not/beijerlab/).

The research at the Beijer Laboratory for Animal Science aims to make better use of data automatically collected at high-tech farms, to make management and breeding of future generations of dairy cows as efficient as possible. As a Beijer Laboratory postdoc you have access to a large network of researchers within applied animal science, statistics, machine learning and artificial intelligence at SLU and other universities

Project description
The work is part of the cooperative project ‘Precision livestock breeding – improving both health and production in dairy cattle’ (Research project precision-livestock-breeding) of SLU, Växa Sverige, University of Copenhagen, Dalarna University and RISE. The project is funded by FORMAS and the Kjell & Märta Beijer Foundation.

In this project, we aim to improve both animal welfare and animal production by focusing on improvement of the social environment of dairy cows. Animals are social beings who spend a majority of their lifetime engaged in various interactions with conspecifics. These social interactions are often an important part of the environment that individuals experience.

As a postdoc, you will work with data on dairy cattle obtained from sensors and milking robots, in order to quantify social interactions. Data on positions of cows in two dairy barns are collected once every second using a real time location system. Data on more than 200 cows per farm have already been collected for two years and data collection continues. You will work with analysis of social interactions and, together with a PhD student, with the development of methods to select for indirect genetic effects.

We are looking for a postdoc with a strong background in computational biology and sound knowledge of data management and quantitative/statistical genetics.

Duties:
You are expected to develop own research ideas connected to social interactions in dairy cows. The position includes the following key responsibilities:


• Quantifying cows’ behaviour using mathematical modelling of social networks
• Develop methodology in quantitative genetics
• Data management
• Collaborating with researchers in statistics, quantitative genetics and ethology
• Reporting results at international conferences and in high-quality peer-reviewed journals

Qualifications:
You shall have a PhD in animal science, biology, data science or other relevant discipline. 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. Proficiency in spoken and written English is required. Documented experience of analysing animal movement or social interactions is meriting. Documented knowledge in ethology and quantitative genetics is meriting. Willingness to work in an interdisciplinary team and a strong publication record, especially in the period after graduation, are also merits.

Place of work:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Temporary employment, 24 months, with possible extension.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
1st of June 2022 or according to agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2022-01-28, use the button below.

Selection among applicants meeting the requirements is made with reference to written application including curriculum vitae and list of publications, copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, a list of at least two references familiar with the applicant's qualifications, certified knowledge of the English language and an interview. If the applicant is a foreign citizen, we require a certified copy of the page in your passport with your personal data and photograph.

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