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page last updated 25 July 2008
Vacancies in agriculture/animal science can be advertised on this site. Please contact BSAS if you have a vacancy that you wish us to advertise.
(closing date 5 August 2008)
UK dairy cattle breeding is constantly developing and more recently UK dairy selection indices have moved away from selection of production traits to selection on a broader range of fitness traits. It is the aim of this project to study selected fitness traits in dairy cattle (calving difficulty, longevity and/or udder health) and develop tools to allow their potential inclusion in UK dairy indices. Once the traits of choice have been defined, the project will examine the appropriate statistical methods for handling the traits. This will require a review of the experience on the statistical models used in other studies in the UK and abroad in the genetic analysis of fitness traits. Different statistical models will then be tested and compared for the analysis of UK industry data on fitness traits. Once the scoring system has been agreed and the best method for handling the data defined it will then be necessary to estimate the genetic parameters of the new traits and their genetic and phenotypic relationships with other production, health and fitness traits evaluated on UK dairy animals.
Funding Notes
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, at least a first or upper second class honours degree in genetics, mathematics/statistics, agriculture, biology, zoology or a related discipline.
The student should be self-motivated and demonstrate an active interest in the field of genetics. Knowledge of, or experience in statistical modelling and/or dairy cattle breeding would be an advantage.
The stipend will be £12,800 per annum.
The funding of this studentship is costed for European/UK students only. Fees up to £3,300 per annum will be paid.
Application packs are available from Clair Anderson (clair.anderson@sac.ac.uk). Closing date for this studentship is 5th August, 2008. Further details on the project are available from Dr Eileen Wall (eileen.wall@sac.ac.uk) or Dr Mike Coffey (mike.coffey@sac.ac.uk)
Approx. € 22,500 plus allowances (if applicable)
(closing date 25 August 2008)
Boost your research career in statistical genetics with a year at the Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre of Wageningen UR. We have the unique opportunity to offer three 12 month fellowships through the EU Marie Curie funded SABRETRAIN project (http://www.sabre-eu.eu/SABRETRAIN/tabid/259/Default.aspx).
We are looking for promising young scientists with an interest in developing and using statistical tools in genetics analysis. Computer simulation might be used to identify the best approaches, but methods may also be applied to real data from our own studies in livestock. We are particularly interested in candidates who are carrying out their PhD research and want to spend a year in Lelystad. PhD Supervisors may want to alert their students of this opportunity as a good way for students to develop their skills, and to build links with the scientist in the Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre.
We give preferences to candidates in areas where there is a common interest between the candidate and our projects in one of these areas:
- Analysis utilising whole genome SNP data. For example, to investigating genetic variation underlying feed intake and feed efficiency using whole genomic SNP data on dairy cows.
- Systems biology. For example, to build a mathematical model utilising gene expression and physiology data to describe the quantitative association between milk fatty acid and nutrition.
- Robustness models. For example, to investigate models to estimate genetic variation in environmental sensitivity or residual variation.
- Analysis of gene expression data. For example, from gene expression data in different brain areas, in relation to oestrus in cattle, collected within the SABRE project (www.sabre-eu.eu).
The Marie Curie Fellows will be supervised by Dr. R F Veerkamp (and/or colleagues) and be part of a broader project team working in the chosen area. The fellowships have extensive travel benefits and come with an attractive monthly allowance. Fellowships must be started between now and March 1st , 2009
Eligibility. As a Marie Curie Early Stage Training Programme funded project, applicants must satisfy a number of eligibility criteria, which are defined in section 5 of the EST Handbook, which can be downloaded at http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/mariecurie-actions/action/stage_en.html.
Applicants from all countries are welcome but must normally: (a) Satisfy the definition of an Early-stage Researcher, namely researchers in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research activity, including the period of research training, and not have a doctorate already (see Section 5.5 of the EST Handbook). (b) Be nationals of a State other than that of the host (The Netherlands), and move country when taking up their appointment (see Section 5.6 of the EST Handbook). (c) not have spent more than 12 months in the Netherlands during the three years preceding the intended start of the fellowships.
Applications can be made by sending a CV and a letter indicating the area of interest and the related expertise to Marleen.Kruider@wur.nl referring to Marie Curie fellowship. Closing date will be 25th of august.
This post will be based at ABGC in Lelystad, the Netherlands. Please contact Roel Veerkamp (Roel.Veerkamp@wur.nl) for further information.
The Jobs in Science internet advertising site that deals with scientific and technical vacancies/courses in the U.K. only, and can be accessed at:
www.jobsinscience.com
http://www.shireconsulting.co.uk/;(executive recruitment in agriculture)
Global Database of Women Scientists and Professionals (looking for jobs, scholarships and funding)