Postdoctoral researcher in quantitative genetics and genomics with a focus on inbreeding depression and genetic diversity management

The Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG) at Aarhus University, Denmark, invites applications for an exciting two-year postdoctoral position in the field of quantitative genetics and genomics applied to inbreeding management in livestock populations. The primary focus of this position is to investigate the genetic bases of inbreeding depression in dairy cattle.

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a two-year position starting on 1 April 2027, or as soon as possible.

Job description

This is an opportunity to integrate a top research environment and contribute to advancing the state of the art in inbreeding management, while working within a collaborative project involving key industry partners.

The overarching objective of the project is to quantify the impact of inbreeding depression load on economically important traits in dairy cattle breeds and to investigate whether recessive variants contributing to inbreeding depression segregate in genomic regions experiencing rapid accumulation of inbreeding. Particular attention will be given to regions surrounding monogenetic traits (e.g. polled locus, milk caseins) which have been subjected to strong selection pressure in recent years.

You will apply state-of-the-art quantitative genetic and genomic modelling approaches to evaluate the effect of inbreeding depression on a broad range of production and functional traits recorded in dairy cattle populations. To support these analyses, you will have access to extensive databases containing phenotypic records routinely collected on farm, as well as large-scale pedigree and SNP genomic datasets currently used in genomic evaluations. High-density SNP genotyping and whole-genome sequence data will also be available to search for causal variants and more finely describe the genetic architecture of inbreeding depression in dairy cattle. Ultimately, the project aims to incorporate these findings into practical mating software readily available to dairy farmers. Therefore, these activities will be carried out in close collaboration with industry partners to ensure practical implementation in the field.

Within this position, the successful candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to other research projects related to genetic diversity management and quantitative trait modelling across other livestock species.

Your profile

A Ph.D. in Quantitative Genetics, Population Genetics or similar.

Good programming skills (R, Python or Julia)

Experience in the use of software to estimate variance components is a plus (e.g. DMU, BLUPF90 or similar)

A team player and a good communicator

A good track record of publication in international peer-reviewed journals

Fluent in English (written and spoken)

Who we are

The Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG) is a major center for research and education in quantitative genetics and genomics at Aarhus University (http://www.qgg.au.dk/en). We conduct basic and applied research in animal, plant, and human genetics. Our focus areas include quantitative genetics, artificial intelligence applied to agriculture and medicine, population genetics, and integrative genomics. Research within QGG is characterized by a very close synergy between method development and application on practical problems across species, in collaboration with industry partners. QGG is an international research center with about 70 employees and visiting researchers from over 15 nations. QGG works in teams and strives for an excellent working environment, in which we value self-leadership, open communication, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

What we offer

The successful candidate will be offered:

An interdisciplinary environment, in which the candidate will be able to exchange across disciplines and diverse applications (livestock, plants and biomedicine).

An international research environment characterized by collaboration, professionalism, commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Computational resources, including access to the GenomeDK high-performance computing cluster.

A healthy work-life balance.

Place of work and area of employment

The primary place of work is C. F. Møllers Allé 3, 8000, Aarhus C (Denmark).

Contact information

For further information, please contact Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Alban Bouquet, +45 2070 2677, [email protected]

Associate Professor Zexi Cai, +45 8715 7928, [email protected]

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.