The position is available within Wageningen University & Research Animal Breeding and Genomics, that combines the activities of Wageningen Livestock Research and Wageningen University in the field of animal breeding and genomics. This also includes close collaboration with the Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands. The candidates will be employed at Wageningen University, location Wageningen.

The postdoc will be employed at a newly funded project 'Mutabreed: The contribution of de novo mutations to long-term selection response in genomic breeding programs'. The project is part of the partnership programme 'Predicting Phenotypes' between STW (now NWO-TTW) and Breed4Food.
Wageningen University & Research Animal Breeding and Genomics comprises almost 100 employees, including professors, lecturers, senior and junior scientists, post-docs, PhD students and support staff. We perform research in quantitative genetics, genomics, breeding programs and genetic diversity, across the major livestock species and fish. Many of the research projects are undertaken in close collaboration with the breeding industry, for a large part under the umbrella of Breed4Food.

We are looking for an enthusiastic researcher, with a clear interest in quantitative genetics, animal breeding, application of new genomic technology and bioinformatics. The project addresses fundamental questions such as estimating the mutation rate as well as more applied research questions to optimize long-term response using genomic selection. Experience with handling large phenotypic and genomic data and an interest in quantitative genetic concepts is a prerequisite.

Candidates should have a PhD in one of the following subjects: statistics, animal or plant breeding, human genetics, statistical genetics or evolutionary genetics. The candidate should have a strong track record as a PhD student and/or postdoc and show a keen and independent intellect.

Further preferred skills:

• Be able to handle large data sets
• Interest in quantitative genetic concepts
• Good organizational and excellent communication skills (both spoken and written in English)
• Ability to work in a team of diverse scientists and multidisciplinary teams.
• Scientific track record with publications.

We offer you a temporary fulltime for a period of one year with the intent to be extended to a maximum of 2,5 years. Gross starting salary € 2.588 to € 4.084 per month (scale 10), based on full time employment (38 hours a week) and dependent on expertise and experience.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research
Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus - each and every day. Within our domain, healthy food and living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society - such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don't do this alone. Every day, 6,500 people work on 'the quality of life', turning ideas into reality, on a global scale.