1 Postdoctoral Research Position in Archaeological Science in Denmark | Aarhus University

A Postdoc position in optimization of breeding plans for crops using genomic information is available at the Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG at Aarhus University. Primary focus will be on breeding plans for cereals.

The position is associated with projects from the Danish Green Development program (GUDP) and with the strategic research center “GenSAP”. GenSAP has the goal of developing models and applications for genomic studies in farmed crops and animals. The position is available from August 2015 for a period of two years, with possibility of extension.

About the position

The candidate will primarily work with the development and application of large scale stochastic models that can simulate phenotypic and genomic information for individuals or families of plants. The models will be used to develop and evaluate novel and more efficient breeding programs for the future. The post doc position will be associated with projects that are conducted in close collaboration with commercial partners. Data will come from large scale phenotypic testing carried out for all traits of interest to future breeding programs in each species and from genotyping based on chip-technology and/or sequencing.

QGG holds considerable experience in using and developing methods for the optimization of breeding programs for commercial animal and plant species. The position provides excellent possibilities for access to work on novel problems in plant breeding, writing publications, collaboration with related areas, and work with commercial partners. Due to the close collaboration with the industry, the candidate will have to disseminate results to relevant industry partners, in addition to scientific publication.

Qualifications:

• PhD in quantitative genetics, plant breeding, animal breeding, quantitative genomics or related fields.
• Good understanding of quantitative genetics
• Experience in systematic programming in C(++) or Fortran
• Good understanding of the application of complex statistical models to real data
• Preferable knowledge on plant science and genetics
• Preferable experience with analysis of large genomic data sets
• Good skills in oral and written communication in English
• Ability to work in a large and diverse group of researchers, and collaborate with both national and international research and industry partners.

Place of work

The Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG) at Aarhus University (AU) is a major center for research and education in quantitative genetics, quantitative genomics, optimization of breeding schemes, and breeding. It comprises 20 senior staff and a large group of PhDs and postdocs, in total about 65 people. The center is part of the Department for Molecular Biology and Genetics and is located at the AU Foulum campus. QGG provides a very dynamic and internationally orientated environment with strong collaborations with relevant industrial partners as well as several other leading international research groups in the area.