Postdoc in precision livestock farming with a background in biology

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 employees and is active within research areas focused on applied animal breeding, molecular genetics, quantitative genetics and bioinformatics. (https://www.slu.se/en/departments/animalgenetics/). The research will be conducted 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 so that management and breeding of future generations of dairy cows may be as efficient as possible. As a Beijer Laboratory postdoc you will have access to a large network of researchers, including those working in applied animal science as well as statistics, machine learning and artificial intelligence both 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’ (https://www.slu.se/en/faculties/vh/research/forskningsprojekt/not/precision-livestock-breeding/) of, besides SLU, Växa Sverige, University of Copenhagen, Dalarna University and RISE. The project is funded by FORMAS and by 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 animals. Animals are social beings who spend a majority of their lifetime engaged in various interactions with conspecifics. These social interactions are often the most important part of the environment that individuals experience.

As a postdoc in this project, you will work with data on dairy cattle, obtained from sensors and milking robots, in order to quantify social interactions. A real time location system will be used to collect data on positions of each animal in dairy barns, with position updated every second. At least 250 cows will be individually tracked, resulting in 25 TB of data per year. In addition, data from an automated milking rotary system recorded over several years at the Swedish Livestock Research Centre (Lövsta, SLU) will be available to analyse social interactions in connection to milking.

We are looking for a postdoc with a strong background in biology and with sound knowledge of data management and genetics. We are also recruiting a PhD student, and a postdoc with a strong background in data science, who you will collaborate with.

As a postdoc in this project, you will work with analysis of social interactions and, together with the PhD student, development of methods to select for indirect genetic effects. 

Duties:
The postdoc is expected to develop his/her own research ideas connected to social interactions in dairy cows. The position includes the following key responsibilities:


• Quantifying animal behaviour by developing methods for visualizing animal movement and social interactions
• 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:
The successful candidate shall have a PhD in animal science, biology, veterinary medicine 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 also 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:
We offer a full-time postdoc position for 2 years with possible extension.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
According to agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2020-02-23, 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) 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.