- JOB
- Netherlands
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
- Wageningen University & Research
- Research Field
- Agricultural sciences » Zootechnics
- Researcher Profile
- Recognised Researcher (R2)
- Application Deadline
- Country
- Netherlands
- Type of Contract
- Temporary
- Job Status
- Not Applicable
- Hours Per Week
- 38.0
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
- Not funded by a EU programme
- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
- No
Offer Description
Are you interested in animal or population genetics and are you curious and eager to further develop your expertise in quantitative concepts and genetic variation? Are you enthusiastic to become part of one of the leading international universities in the fields of healthy food, the living environment and agriculture? Then you are the candidate we are looking for! We are offering an exciting postdoctoral research position within the Animal Breeding and Genomics (ABG) group of Wageningen University for a motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with a background in quantitative genetics, animal or plant breeding, or statistical genetics.
You will be employed for a maximum of four years at a newly funded NWO-AES project “Genetic variance Estimation Now (GEN): Estimating current genetic variance components in populations under selection”. You will work closely together with a PhD candidate and industry partners on the same project, and will be located at the Animal Breeding and Genomics group of Wageningen University & Research in Wageningen.
The GEN project
Genetic variance is crucial for natural and artificial selection and is essential for a population to survive. As a result of selection, the amount of genetic variance decreases. This makes it important to closely monitor the genetic variance in populations under selection. However, currently, no unbiased method exists to accurately estimate genetic variance in populations under selection.
The GEN project aims to develop and validate a general method to quantify the genetic variance in populations under selection. After validation in simulations, the method will be applied in a commercial pig and chicken population under strong selection to evaluate the trend in genetic variance. This information is highly needed to ensure that enough genetic variance is maintained to keep breeding populations healthy and to enable selection for population improvement in the future. Moreover, the developed method can be applied in other populations such as plant or wildlife populations, and support population management in those populations.
Project goals
- Improve understanding of the factors that influence the change in genetic variance in populations under selection.
- Develop and validate a method to estimate genetic variance in populations under selection.
- Gain insights in the trend of genetic variance in populations under intense artificial selection.
- Provide support for applying the developed method in empirical populations under selection.
As a Postdoc on this project, you will
- Develop theory and a statistical method to estimate genetic variance components in populations under selection (together with colleagues).
- Validate the new method using simulations of different types of populations.
- Work closely together with a PhD candidate on the same project and provide help with setting up simulations.
- Investigate the trend in genetic variance and genetic correlations in populations under artificial selection and, based on the results, give recommendations about population management.
- Disseminate the research results by presenting the work at international conferences, by making the new method available for industry partners and other researchers, and by providing support for the users.
Your team
You will work with Dr. Yvonne Wientjes, Dr. Piter Bijma, and Prof. Mario Calus and other colleagues at the Animal Breeding and Genomics group. Moreover, you will work together with industry partners from the animal breeding domain.
You will work here
The Animal Breeding and Genomics (ABG) chair group is part of Wageningen University & Research Animal Breeding and Genomics (WUR-ABG), which is the centre of excellence for all national and international animal breeding and genomics activities (research and education) of Wageningen University & Research (Research of Animal Breeding and Genomics | WUR).
This position is part of the Academic Career Framework (ACF) at Wageningen University & Research.
Where to apply
Requirements
Specific Requirements
You are a highly motivated individual with a genuine interest in fundamental and applied genetics research. You are curiosity driven, and have strong analytical and problem-solving skills. You are eager to learn new skills and to work together with colleagues and industry partners on the development of new quantitative genetics theory and methodology.
You also possess:
- A PhD in a relevant quantitative field (e.g. Animal or Plant breeding, Quantitative Genetics, Population or Statistical Genetics).
- Demonstrated experience in analytical and quantitative skills.
- Proficiency in programming and data analysis tools (e.g. Python, R, Fortran, Linux platform).
- Good organisational and communication skills in English (written and spoken), as well as a proven ability to collaborate with others.
- Willingness to travel internationally to attend conferences and visit other institutes.
In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at language level C1.
Additional Information
Benefits
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
- sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
- working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
- there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
- a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
- excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3.546,- and € 5.538,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). Additionally, a contract for 0.8 FTE can be discussed. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract with the intention for extension to four years in total. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.
Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.
You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment.
Selection process
For more information about the position, please contact Yvonne Wientjes, researcher, via her email yvonne.wientjes@wur.nl or Mario Calus, professor, via his email mario.calus@wur.nl.
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Ine van’t Land, Corporate Recruiter, via recruitment.asg@wur.nl.
Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
You can apply up to and including Wednesday April 1, 2026. Interviews will take place on 9-10-13 April.
Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure.
Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.
Additional comments
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.
- Website for additional job details
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Wageningen University & Research
- Country
- Netherlands
- City
- Wageningen
- Postal Code
- 6708PB
- Street
- Droevendaalsesteeg 1
- Geofield
Contact
- City
- Wageningen
- Website
- Street
- Droevendaalsesteeg
- Postal Code
- 6708 PB