Vacancies and jobs

• Courses 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 of the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza / CIHEAM. Candidates from CIHEAM member countries (Albania, Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey) may apply for scholarships

• Marie Curie Fellowships in Statistical Genetics at the Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre of Wageningen UR (3 posts)
  Approx. € 22,500 plus allowances (if applicable)
  Boost your research career in statistical genetics with a year at the Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre of Wageningen UR. We have the unique opportunity to offer three 12 month fellowships through the EU Marie Curie funded SABRETRAIN project (http://www.sabre-eu.eu/SABRETRAIN/tabid/259/Default.aspx).
  We are looking for promising young scientists with an interest in developing and using statistical tools in genetics analysis. Computer simulation might be used to identify the best approaches, but methods may also be applied to real data from our own studies in livestock.
  We are particularly interested in candidates who are carrying out their PhD research and want to spend a year in Lelystad. PhD Supervisors may want to alert their students of this opportunity as a good way for students to develop their skills, and to build links with the scientist in the Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre.
  We give preferences to candidates in areas where there is a common interest between the candidate and our projects in one of these areas:
  - Analysis utilising whole genome SNP data. For example, to investigating genetic variation underlying feed intake and feed efficiency using whole genomic SNP data on dairy cows.
  - Systems biology. For example, to build a mathematical model utilising gene expression and physiology data to describe the quantitative association between milk fatty acid and nutrition.
  - Robustness models. For example, to investigate models to estimate genetic variation in environmental sensitivity or residual variation.
  - Analysis of gene expression data. For example, from gene expression data in different brain areas, in relation to oestrus in cattle, collected within the SABRE project ( www.sabre-eu.eu ).
  The Marie Curie Fellows will be supervised by Dr. R F Veerkamp (and/or colleagues) and be part of a broader project team working in the chosen area. The fellowships have extensive travel benefits and come with an attractive monthly allowance. Fellowships must be started between now and March 1st , 2009
  Eligibility. As a Marie Curie Early Stage Training Programme funded project, applicants must satisfy a number of eligibility criteria, which are defined in section 5 of the EST Handbook, which can be downloaded at http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/mariecurie-actions/action/stage_en.html .
  Applicants from all countries are welcome but must normally: (a) Satisfy the definition of an Early-stage Researcher, namely researchers in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research activity, including the period of research training, and not have a doctorate already (see Section 5.5 of the EST Handbook). (b) Be nationals of a State other than that of the host (The Netherlands), and move country when taking up their appointment (see Section 5.6 of the EST Handbook). (c) not have spent more than 12 months in the Netherlands during the three years preceding the intended start of the fellowships.
  Applications can be made by sending a CV and a letter indicating the area of interest and the related expertise to Marleen.Kruider@wur.nl  referring to Marie Curie fellowship. Closing date will be 25th of august.
  This post will be based at ABGC in Lelystad, the Netherlands. Please contact Roel Veerkamp ( Roel.Veerkamp@wur.nl ) for further information.
  (Deadline 25 August 2008)

• Postdoctoral Research Associate - University of Sheffield (http://www.jon-slate.staff.shef.ac.uk/) This is an outstanding opportunity to apply cutting edge genomics technologies (ultra-high throughput sequencing and SNP genotyping) to study microevolution in a classic long-term, individual-based study system - the great tit population at Wytham Woods Oxford (http://www.zoo.ox.ac.uk/egi/research/studysites.htm).
  I am looking for somebody with a track record of publishing in leading journals and skills in one or more of the following areas: evolutionary quantitative genetics, bioinformatics, comparative genomics, QTL mapping, statistical genetics. The postdoc will work as part of a team of three (with the PI and one other postdoc) investigating the genetic basis of adaptive variation in a system which has been the focus of intensive evolutioanry ecology and quantitiative genetics studies (e.g. Garant et al. 2005 Nature 433: 60-65; Charmantier et al 2008 Science 320: 800-803) but where genomics resources are currently lacking. In this project we will use high-throughput sequencing to sequence the great tit transcriptome. SNP markers will then be used to build a linkage map. Nearly all of the molecular work will be outsourced. We will then use QTL mapping approaches to address questions relevant to microevolution. For example publications from our laboratory see Gratten et al. 2008 Science 319, 318-320.
  The project involves close collaboration with Professor Ben Sheldon (Oxford University) and his research group (www.zoo.ox.ac.uk/egi/index.htm). The position is available from 1st October 2008 and is funded for 5 years. The closing date is 15th August 2008. For further details and online applications see http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/research.html , quoting job reference number RO6467. The salary is in the range £26,665 - £33,780 per annum. I welcome informal enquries (j.slate@sheffield.ac.uk)
  (Deadline: 15 August 2008)
   

• September 30-October 1-2, 2008. Course Announcement: “Reliable estimation of variance components in linear and threshold models” Prof. Ignacy Misztal, University of Georgia(USA) Udine, Italy
  Venue: Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Pezzata
  http://www.anapri.it  e-mail:anapri@anapri.it
  (Deadline for submission: 31 August 2008)

• PhD position for a project entitled “Impaired metabolic regulation and mammary gland immune defence in lactating dairy cows”. at the Institute/Place of work: Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstr. 109a, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland
  Contact: Prof. Dr. Rupert M. Bruckmaier (rupert.bruckmaier@physio.unibe.ch)
  (Deadline: August 2008)

• Livestock Development Officer for the FAO-Sub-regional Office for Central America. More info is available at : http://www.fao.org/VA/PROF/2027SLM_en.htm
  (Deadline: 31 August 2008)

• There are a number of vacancies for a Computational Biologist (appointment at either PI or Senior Researcher depending on experience ) at Teagasc's Animal Bioscience Centre, in Grange, Co. Meath (near Dublin) in Ireland.
  
  Senior Researcher
  http://www.teagasc.ie/careers/vision/computational_biologist_SR-spec.htm
  
  Principal InvestigatorI
  http://www.teagasc.ie/careers/vision/computational_biologist_PI-spec.htm
  
  Animal Bioscience Centre
  http://www.agresearch.teagasc.ie/animalbioscience/index.htm
  
  Posts http://www.teagasc.ie/careers/vision/vacancies.htm
  (Deadlines: 31 August 2008)

• A two years post doctoral position is available at the INRA Animal Genetics Laboratory in Rennes, France.
  The scientist will work on a European project initiated in March 2008 through the EADGENE program, involving the different laboratories working on poultry in the INRA animal genetics department and scientists from the Roslin Institut, Uppsala University and Wageningen University.
  This project aims at studying the genetic complexity controlling different economically interesting traits in chicken (such as carcass quality and disease susceptibility). A large part of the research will be focused on QTLs interactions (epistasis).
  Qualification and experience in Quantitative Genetics, QTL detection and programming are requested. Candidates need to fill in an appliement form before July the 31th for a position beginning between Ocotber the 1st and December the 31th .
  Please contact Dr Pascale Le Roy (pascale.leroy@rennes.inra.fr)  or Dr Olivier Demeure (Olivier.demeure@rennes.inra.fr)

• Position announcements from Catapult Genetics. Product Development Manager
  The appointee will have a minimum of a post-graduate degree and 5 years post-doctoral experience in either quantitative genetics or molecular genetics with a strong data analysis component. Experience of modern analysis techniques for molecular and quantitative data will be highly regarded, particularly experience with whole genome scan data.
  The position will suit an established scientist looking to accept more responsibility in terms of project management but with an interest in maintaining linkage to hands-on research. The successful candidate will join a global team of talented and dynamic molecular and quantitative geneticists. The successful candidate will be working with research and commercial data including whole genome scans and research and implementing leading edge techniques in a variety of applications.
  The company regards attendance and presentation at International conferences and publication of relevant research results as important components of the role. The ability to work harmoniously as part of a small and dedicated team is essential.
  The appointee will be expected to have high level familiarity and experience with Office applications software as well as experience in databases and statistical analysis.
  He/she must be a team player who is committed, outcome focussed, flexible and willing to share in the team's success. He/she must be eligible to work in Australia. A remuneration package appropriate to the position and recognising the appointee's level of qualifications and experience will be negotiated.
  For further details on the position: Gerard.Davis@catapultgenetics.com 
  To submit a resume: careers@catapultgenetics.com  Quote position CG035
  (Deadline: 30 September 2008)

• The EADGENE network of excellence (www.eadgene.info) is offering an interesting postdoctoral opportunity within their Operational Genomics Work Package (WP8).
  The successful candidate will be responsible for completing and integrating the gene expression data on mastitis in cattle, goat and sheep which are being jointly produced by EADGENE and by the integrated project SABRE (www.sabre-eu.eu), and to apply meta-analysis tools. The first phase of the project has been successfully completed and has provided a broad basis of commonalities and major differences between biological systems; the current goal is to address a more complex level of data analysis by using unique genetically divergent population resources. Applicants should have a PhD, or MD with equivalent working experience, in a relevant area of animal science or molecular biology.
  In addition, candidates must have demonstrated experience in computational approaches to manipulate and analyze large genetic and molecular datasets. Previous experience with microarray data and familiarity with the related software resources is an advantage. Strong writing and communication skills, ability to collaborative work, creativity and self motivation as a scientist are highly desirable.
  The position is based at PTP (Livestock Genomics I Group - http://en.tecnoparco.org/Default.aspx?tabid=69). The project will be carried out in collaboration with other EADGENE partners, in particular with the Roslin Institute (www.roslin.ac.uk), thus the availability to travel extensively abroad for project collaborations and training periods is essential. The position is available immediately. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
  Interested applicants should send (preferably by e-mail) a letter of interest, a CV, including the names of 3 references, and any additional material to
  Elisabetta Giuffra elisabetta.giuffra@tecnoparco.org  Livestock Genomics I; Parco Tecnologico Padano Via A. Einstein, 26900 Lodi - Italy Tel. +39.0371.4662321;
  (Deadline: 30 September 2008)

• The Unit of Animal Genomics seeks applications for post-doctoral fellows, as well as a project manager & accountant. The corresponding information is available here.
  We would be very grateful if you could circulate this information amongst your colleagues and laboratory members.
  Michel Georges
  Unit of Animal Genomics
  GIGA-R & Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
  University of Liège (B34 - Tour GIGA)
  1 Avenue de l'Hô ital
  4000-Liège. Tel: +32-4-366.41.51. Fax: +32-4-366.41.98. michel.georges@ulg.ac.be 
  www.fmv.ulg.ac.be/genmol/Deartment/Molecular_Genetics/Molecular_Genetics.htm
  (Deadline: 30 September 2008)