Research Associate in Quantitative Genetics, Biometrics, and Breeding

Job Details

Job Purpose

The post-holder will conduct research and implementation of state-of-the-art quantitative genetics and biometrics in collaboration with a global plant breeding programme. This will include:

(i) reviewing literature and software documentation, (ii) designing and evaluating novel stability metrics for plant breeding, and (iii) building presentations to support commercial activities and dissemination through one international conference with subsequent publication in a high impact journal.

Main responsibilities

· Reviewing literature and software documentation, 10%

· Designing and evaluating novel stability metrics for plant breeding, 40%

· Running and testing stability metrics in the context of a plant breeding programme through simulation, 40%

· Training, 5%

· Dissemination, 5%

Key contacts / Relationships:

The post-holder will work with Daniel Tolhurst and Prof. Gregor Gorjanc in the Highlander Lab within The Roslin Institute (Quantitative Biology division) on the Easter Bush Campus in Edinburgh.

Planning & Organising

· Plan the required work to meet objectives in line with agreed timescales and available resources in a multidisciplinary team working in a rapidly emerging sector.

· Organise and attend meetings with the academic and breeding partner.

Problem Solving

· Resolve most technical and research issues using accumulated experience and report only the most significant issues to the line manager for assistance.

· Use initiative to analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions.

· They will ensure that work is carried out to high ethical and safety standards.

Decision Making

The line managers will offer general orientation and advice. The post-holder is expected to take responsibility to show an appropriate degree of independence and will:

· Independently plan workload according to priority and adapt as necessary, including setting up short-term timelines and experimental tasks to address the specific research aims that will be part of the research program.

· In collaboration with others discuss aims and strategies, experimental designs, methods, data, preliminary results and outstanding issues. These discussions will take place in one-on-one meetings as well as during larger group and project meetings.

· Refer to line manager overall timelines, changes of direction, response to significant and unexpected developments, identification of the best way forward and interpretation of complex data with input from the line manager.

Requirements

Qualifications & Training · MSc or PhD in Quantitative Genetics, Biometrics, Applied Statistics, Breeding (PhD preferred, but strong MSc candidates will be considered too) · Scripting in R and HPC server-based tools for data processing, handling data analysis and visualization · Background in or aspirations to learn applied Quantitative genetics, Biometrics, Applied Statistics

Knowledge &Experience · Ability to work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team working in a rapidly emerging sector · Biological or agricultural experience · Experience in plant breeding applications · Biometrics and/or statistical experience

· Ability to prioritise key activities · Ability to communicate complex information clearly both orally and in writing. · Building simulation pipelines for breeding programmes · Experience with open-source tools and HPC servers

Dimensions

Interacting with members of the Highlander Lab at The Roslin Institute, as well as collaborators at the global plant breeding company.

Lead deign and implementation of novel stability metrics for breeding programmes and associated reporting and dissemination (publishing) activities (1 manuscript).

Additional Information

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Daniel Tolhurst (dtolhurs@ed.ac.uk) or Prof Gregor Gorjanc (gregor.gorjanc@roslin.ed.ac.uk).

Contact Information

https://elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/10568/apply/email...