PhD fellowship - Multivariate data analysis in animal breeding and
genetics (Reference no: 09/628)
At Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences (IHA), a three-year
fellowship for a PhD in animal breeding is announced in connection with
an NFR-project.
The main objective of the project "Quality Goat Milk for Cheese
Production" is to "Establish breeding and feeding strategies that ensure
optimal and stable goat milk quality for consumer preferred cheese
products". This fellowship shall develop use of multivariate data
analysis in breeding programs including genome info. Advisor from IHA
will be assisted by chemometrician from Nofima Mat for multivariate data
analysis.
Tasks
The primary task is to develop methods for improving cheese making
quality by goat breeding where also info on casein genes is included.
Modeling the genome effect is a field of general interest for many parts
of biology, and much research remains to be done.
Milk quality is measured in many ways: chemical content, physical
properties (coagulation), FTIR-specter - and is related to genes and
breeding, nutrition and husbandry, and treatment of the milk. In the
project physiology and feeding experiments with detailed registrations of
milk quality of single animals will be available. In Dairy goat control
FTIR-specter to determine milk content is available for a majority of
goats in the country.
The challenge for the PhD fellow will be to develop ways of including
milk quality in the breeding program. One important question is the use
of information on single casein genes to improve milk quality.
The successful candidate will be required to enter a PhD program at UMB
and is expected to complete a doctorate within the three-year project period.
Applicants will be evaluated according to regulations for employment of
PhD fellows at Norwegian universities. The fellowship is a limited time
position.
Preferred qualifications
. Master degree in animal breeding, or other MSc level education relevant
for breeding and multivariate data analysis.
. Knowledge of molecular genetics and programming is an advantage.
. Students finishing their MSc this year are also encouraged to apply.
Personality traits
. Ability for independent work, initiative, and thinking.
. Ambitions to become a researcher.
. Ability to cooperate with PhD fellows and researchers from other fields.
. Analytic ability and academic approach to research.
. Applicants must master the English language, written as well as spoken.
An international TOFL test or other documented English skills will be
required for non-Norwegian and non-native English speakers.
UMB offers
. Inspiring international research environment.
. Courses and study groups for important topics.
. Interest from farmer and dairy industry for the results of the research
accomplished.
Salary
The position is remunerated starting at level 45 on the Norwegian
Government salary scale (gross annual salary approximately NOK 353 200).
Increases in salary will be according to seniority rights. The position
follows the Norwegian government pay scale and includes membership in the
national pension plan (2%).
Time of start autumn 2009 to be negotiated.
Contact persons
. Associate professor Tormod Ådnøy, tel. 41678894, tormod.adnoy@umb.no.
. Researcher Achim Kohler, tel. 90180765, achim.kohler@nofima.no.
For application, log in to
http://www.jobbnorge.no/visstilling2.aspx?stillid=58504