PhD position in Quantitative and Molecular Genomics
A graduate student research fellowship is available immediately for a bovine genomics project
aimed at the identification of DNA-based biomarkers and enhancing accuracy of genomic
prediction for feed efficiency in beef cattle under a collaborative Teagasc (The Irish Agriculture
and Food Authority) - University of Alberta (UofA) Ph.D Walsh Fellowship Program. Funds that
cover the stipend and the university fees are available for four years at €22,000 (approximately
$31,000 CAD) per year for the Ph.D. student to work on the project. The Ph.D. student will be
joining strong internationally recognized research teams at Teagasc and UofA in areas of
identification of functional DNA polymorphisms and development of genomic prediction tools
for feed efficiency. The Ph.D student will have access to an excellent beef cattle database that
consists of over 11,000 beef cattle with feed efficiency measures and SNP genotypes (19K, 50K,
HD). The Ph.D student will also have opportunities to work with the bioinformatics team at
UofA on mining and annotating DNA polymorphisms based on 1000 bull sequences. The Ph.D
student will work with lead scientists to develop his/her PhD research project in either
identifying functional SNPs using a variety of molecular tools in wet labs or developing
statistical methods to improve across-breed genomic prediction accuracy for feed efficiency or
both, depending on his/her research background and research interests. Results of the research
will support a thesis for a Ph.D degree in Quantitative and Molecular Genomics at the
Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton,
Alberta, Canada. Solid training and experience in quantitative genetics/genomics and/or
molecular genetics at Bachelor and/or M.Sc. level is required. Skills and experience in
computation/bioinformatics and use of software/programming languages including C, C++,
ASReml, SAS, R or Perl is desirable. Skills and experience in molecular labs is a plus. For
preliminary screening of applications, interested applicants should submit full curriculum vitae, a
copy of transcripts, a statement of qualifications and experience, and names of three referees to
Dr. Changxi Li at changxi.li@ualberta.ca. The successful candidate will need to commence
graduate studies at the University of Alberta by summer 2015. Applications will begin to be
considered by December 1, 2014; however, this competition will remain open until the position
is filled. Although all applications will be thoroughly reviewed, only those selected for an
interview will be contacted.