Description

Area: Genotype-by-Environment Interactions in Beef Cattle

Duration: Initial appointment of 1.5 years (18 months), with renewal contingent on funding and performance.

Start Date: Immediately available; start date negotiable. The position is based at the University of Calgary. Remote work within Canada may be negotiable, depending on project needs.

Salary: $60,000 CAD per annum, plus University of Calgary Plan C health benefits.

The Reproduction and Early Life Laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, in collaboration with the Canadian Angus Association, is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar on Genotype-by-Environment Interactions in Beef Cattle.

Genomic-Enhanced Expected Progeny Differences (GEPDs) support beef-cattle selection, but their predictive value can vary among production environments. This project will quantify genotype-by-environment (GxE) interactions in Angus cattle to develop Precision GEPDs that account for environmental and management conditions. The successful candidate will integrate genomic, phenotypic, environmental, spatial, and producer-reported management data for economically important Angus traits.

Using advanced statistical (e.g., reaction-norm models, mixed models, and machine-learning) and AI-enabled methods, the project aims to identify factors that alter genetic expression and help develop practical GxE-adjusted predictions for beef producers across Canada. The research will ultimately support development of a producer-facing dashboard that translates conventional GEPDs into GxE-adjusted predictions for individual production settings.

The successful Postdoctoral Scholar will lead and contribute to data curation, integration, quality control, analysis, interpretation, and communication of project outputs. The position will involve close collaboration and communication within an interdisciplinary research group that includes the Canadian Angus Association, AbacusBio, the University of Calgary, Olds College, beef producers, and other academic and industry partners. The Scholar will also contribute to knowledge translation, scientific presentations, peer-reviewed manuscripts, and coordination of activities with trainees, researchers, and research staff.

What we offer

- A collaborative, well-funded, industry-connected research program focusing on Canadian beef systems.
- Training and mentorship in quantitative genetics, GxE modelling, machine learning, geospatial analysis, and decision-support-tool development.
- Opportunities to interact with industry leaders, producers and scientists from a multitude of organizations and institutions across Canada.
- Support for publications, conference presentations, fellowship applications, and career development.
- A stimulating multidisciplinary environment with academic and industry collaborators, including the Canadian Angus Association, AbacusBio, and Olds College.

Qualifications Required

- A PhD in a relevant graduate degree, or equivalent doctoral-level training in animal science, animal breeding and genetics, biostatistics, epidemiology, bioinformatics, or a closely related discipline.
- Completion of the doctoral degree, or anticipated completion, within two years preceding appointment is preferred.
- Demonstrated experience working with large, complex, and/or linked datasets, ideally including animal production, pedigree, genomic, health, environmental, spatial,



or farm-management data.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including experience with statistical modelling in R, Python, SAS, or similar software.
- Familiarity with mixed models, genetic evaluation, reaction-norm models, machine-learning methods, or related quantitative approaches; willingness and ability to develop expertise in these methods.
- Knowledge of livestock production systems, with beef-cattle production, beef genetics, breeding, health, nutrition, or management experience considered a strong asset.
- Experience with data management, reproducible workflows, database systems, and/or spatial or environmental data integration is an asset.
- Ability to work independently, exercise sound scientific judgement, solve problems creatively, and manage multiple priorities while meeting project deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively and respectfully in a multidisciplinary team spanning animal science, veterinary medicine, quantitative genetics, statistics, data science, environmental and spatial analysis, and industry practice.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, with the ability to communicate complex quantitative findings clearly to academic, industry, and producer audiences.

Assets
- Experience with genomic prediction, genomic selection, GEPDs/EPDs, quantitative genetics, or genetic evaluation in livestock.
- Experience integrating climate, soil, forage, feed, water, management, and/or geographic data with animal-level records.
- Experience working with geospatial environmental data¿including NASA POWER or similar gridded climate datasets¿and satellite-derived vegetation indices such as NDVI is an asset.
- Experience with machine learning, high-performance computing, geospatial analysis, dashboards, data visualization, or decision-support-tool development.
- A record of peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, stakeholder engagement, and/or knowledge translation activities.
- Experience collaborating with producer organizations, breed associations, industry partners, or interdisciplinary research teams.

Application Details

Please submit your application as a single PDF to [email protected] with the subject line Postdoc Application [Your Name].

Applications must include

- A cover letter (1-2 pages) outlining your relevant research experience and interests, motivation, suitability for the position, and availability.
- Curriculum vitae, including a full list of publications.
- Contact information, including email addresses, for two referees (letters will be requested for shortlisted candidates).
- Application deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Application deadline Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.



The terms and conditions of employment are covered under the UCalgary and PDAC Collective Agreement. To find out more about postdoctoral scholar program at the University of Calgary visit our Postdocs website.

To learn more about postdoctoral scholar opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Postdoc Careers website.

About The University Of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders' in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from the strongest economy in the nation and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.

With a growing urban Indigenous population of approximately 50,000 people, there are several Indigenous organizations and many events and ceremonies taking place in the city throughout the year.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and skilled success while they are here.

In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([email protected]).

📌 Postdoctoral Researcher in Genotype-by-Environment Interactions in Beef Cattle (Calgary)
🏢 University of Calgary
📍 Calgary