QGG Aarhus University seeks a Postdoctoral researcher in Quantitative Genetics of sustainable cattle breeding.

The Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG) has a leading position in research related to breeding for sustainability related traits in dairy cattle such as feed- and nitrogen efficiency, resilience, and methane emissions. This is enabled by an ambitious farm based infrastructure with large scale measurement of methane emissions, feed intake, feed and environment parameters, productivity, and novel phenotypes on individual cows, based on collaboration with industry and international researchers. The successful candidate for these positions will join our team to further advance in the areas of feed- and nitrogen efficiency, resilience, and methane. This includes phenotype definition, genotype by environment studies, variance component estimation, and integrating novel genetically related traits using digital tools or functional genomic information or OMICS to improve genomic prediction models. The successful candidate will collaborate with industry partners, support teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels, and co-supervise Master's, and PhD students. The candidate is expected to help with creating a collaborative work environment within and outside QGG that integrates novel innovative research programs towards the green transition in animal agriculture.

The position is a full-time position for a period of 2 years, starting on 1 March 2027. There are possibilities for extension to a maximum of 4 years if the candidate is considered qualified and funding is available. If your research profile does not completely match the descriptions above but you have a theoretical background and are interested in developing one of the research areas mentioned, QGG would like to hear your motivation for seeking this position.

The position offers you:

Contribute to ongoing projects in the area of feed- and nitrogen efficiency, resilience, and methane

Advance the genetic modeling of these traits, including genotype by environment interactions, and OMICS

Participate in project applications

Collaborate with diverse group of researchers nationally and internationally

Engage with commercial breeding organizations

Publish high-quality research in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences

Support in teaching, and (co-)supervise BSc, MSc and PhD students – though teaching duties may be low

The ideal candidate:

Holds a PhD with a strong background in quantitative genetics and/or animal breeding

Has published high-quality research in peer-reviewed journals

Experience with one or more scripting language (e.g., R, Python, Julia) and/or genetic software (e.g., DMU, ASReml)

Can biologically interpret results and relate to breeding decision making

Exhibits excellent teamwork skills and has experience collaborating with scientists across different disciplines nationally and internationally

Possesses effective communication skills and can communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences, whether in academia, industry, or society.

Shows interest in teaching and mentoring of BSc, MSc and PhD-students

Who we are:

The Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG) is a vibrant and exciting interdisciplinary center for research and education in quantitative genetics and quantitative genomics (http://www.qgg.au.dk/en). QGG is an international organization with more than 70 employees and visiting researchers from more than 20 countries. We perform basic and applied research within plant, livestock and human quantitative genetics. Our focus areas include quantitative genetics, artificial intelligence applied to agriculture and precision medicine, population genetics, and integrative genomics. QGG is located at the central campus in Aarhus and at the AU Flakkebjerg campus in newly renovated offices with well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories, equipment, and highperforming computing clusters.

Place of work:

The place of work is C.F. Møllers Allé 3, Bldg. 1130, 8000 Aarhus C. The area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Contact information:

For further information please contact Associate professor: Bingjie Li, email: [email protected], telephone: +45 71879527, or Tenure Track Assistant Professor Rasmus Bak Stephansen, e-mail: [email protected], mobile: +45 61764959.

Application Deadline:

29th November 2026.

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self.

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.