Postdoc in genetic modelling and validation of novel livestock phenotypes and phenotyping tools

Are you interested in genetic modelling and validation of novel phenotypes and phenotyping tools using sensor-based data, including computer vision? Do you want to work with diverse species such as cattle, pigs, insects, and fish across various projects? Then the Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics invites you to apply for a two-year postdoc position.

This is a two-year position from 1 June 2025, or as soon possible thereafter. 

Job description

• Develop and apply pipelines, computational tools, algorithms, and statistical approaches for analysing sensor-based phenotype data.
• Conduct genetic modelling of sensor-derived phenotypes, including estimating variance components and predicting breeding values, across multiple livestock species.
• Leverage AI and machine learning methods for precision phenotyping, including feature extraction from video and image data.
• Work in an interdisciplinary team involving geneticists, and computer scientists.
• Contribute to publications and dissemination of results in scientific journals and conferences.
• Engage with industry and research collaborators to develop new applications of sensor-based phenotyping.

 

Your profile

• PhD in Animal Breeding/Genetics, Quantitative Genetics, Statistical Genetics, or related fields.
• Solid knowledge of quantitative genetics, statistics, and animal breeding.
• Previous experience in working with computer-vision-based and other sensor-based phenotyping in livestock will be prioritized.
• Proficient in managing tasks and conveying information effectively in English, both in writing and speaking.
• Programming skills in languages like Python, particularly in computer vision or machine learning frameworks.
• Effective collaborative skills to work with geneticists, data scientists, and software developers in an interdisciplinary team.

 

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 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 high-performing computing clusters.
 

Place of work

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

Contact information

For further information please contact Tenure Track Assistant Professor Grum Gebreyesus ([email protected]).

Deadline

All applications must be received no later than 31 March, 2025. 

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. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: [email protected]

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 depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

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.


Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/