PhD scholarship within Animal Breeding and Genetics – Genomic prediction of nitrogen use efficiency

About the position

The Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant 3-year PhD–position related to animal breeding and quantitative genetics. 

This PhD project “Phenotypic and genomic prediction of nitrogen use efficiency of dairy cows” will be conducted in close collaboration with an on-going Nitrogen-efficiency project at NMBU, where relevant data is collected. Enhanced nitrogen use efficiency can mitigate the environmental impact and economic losses of dairy farming. 

This PhD project will evaluate the potential of using milk spectra to predict N-traits using artificial intelligence (AI) and use the predictions for genetic improvement and herd management to increase the sustainability of Norwegian dairy production.

The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.

Main tasks

• Develop predictions of the nitrogen efficiency traits (N-traits) of dairy cows based on milk spectra that can be used for large-scale routine predictions.
• Model the trajectory of N-trait phenotypes along the lactation.
• Estimate heritability of and genetic relationships among the N-traits.
• Develop genomic predictions of breeding values for the N-traits for Norwegian Red and evaluate their accuracies.
• Analyze data, write scientific articles and complete a PhD

The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period. 

Competence

The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year master’s degree or a cand.med.vet. degree, with a learning outcome corresponding to the descriptions in the Norwegian Qualification Framework, second cycle. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background relevant to the position and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.

The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.

Required Academic qualifications

• Master’s degree in animal breeding and quantitative genetics, genomics, or a related discipline. 
• Strong communication skills in English, written and spoken.
• The candidate which finishes their education within the spring/summer of 2025 can also apply but must provide documentation of their degree before employment.

The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:

• Competence in animal breeding, quantitative genetics, and statistics.
• Experience and interest for data analyses and computer programming
• Experience in handling large and high-dimensional data (e.g., milk spectra, SNP data)
• Experience in prediction model development is advantageous 
• Publication of scientific work is advantageous

You need to:

• Be highly motivated for a PhD education
• Have a strong interest for research
• Have good collaborative skills and ability to work independently

Remuneration and further information

The position is placed in position code 1017 PhD Fellow, normally NOK 536.200 per year upon employment. The position follows ordinary meriting regulations.

Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.

For further information, please contact professor Bjørg Heringstad 

E-mail: bjorg.heringstad@nmbu.no; phone +47 48221788 

Information for PhD applicants and general information to applicants

Application

To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the 'Apply for this job' button above. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.

Application deadline: 01.05.2025

Your CV must be entered in JobbNorge's CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is to be able to comply with the regulations of §15 of the Public Administration Act.

In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.

Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

• Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
• Complete CV 
• Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Diploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
• Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.
• Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with NMBU PhD regulation section 5-2 (3). 
• Names and contact details for two references
• Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.

About The Faculty of Biosciences

The Faculty of Biosciences (BIOVIT) aims to shape the future of food and bioproduction through teaching and research in biology and sustainable production and use of plants, livestock and fish. The faculty has a large project portfolio and an annual turnover of approximately NOK 250 million. 

BIOVIT is organized into seven research groups: Genome Biology, Breeding, Genetics and Food Production Systems, Ruminant Nutrition and Physiology, Ethology and Animal Welfare, Nutrition and Physiology for Monogastric Animals, Plant Biology, Sustainable Food Systems and Integrated Plant Protection, and Genetics, Evolution and Sustainable Plant Production. Additionally, the faculty has seven research support and laboratory units.

BIOVIT is responsible for bachelor’s and master’s programs in aquaculture, biology, animal science, and plant science, as well as English-language master’s programs in Agroecology, Plant Sciences, Feed Manufacturing Technology, and Genome Sciences. BIOVIT also offers Ph.D. programs in animal science and plant science. Currently, the faculty has about 550 bachelor’s and master’s students and 90 Ph.D. students. BIOVIT employs approximately 230 staff members and has its own faculty administration.

DIVERSE INFO

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