Description

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 setting 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 Juan Hernandez-Medrano ([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.

📌 Postdoc in G x E interaction in Beef Cattle (Calgary)
🏢 University of Calgary
📍 Calgary