Consultant – Animal Geneticist

Organizational Setting

The Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications implements the IAEA’s Major Programme 2, “Nuclear Techniques for Development and Environmental Protection”. This Major Programme comprises individual programmes on food and agriculture, human health, water resources, environment and radiation technologies. These programmes are supported by laboratories in Seibersdorf, Monaco and Vienna. The Major Programme’s objective is to enhance the capacity of Member States to meet basic human needs and to assess and manage the marine and terrestrial environments through the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques in sustainable development programmes.

The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture assists Member States of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the IAEA in using nuclear techniques and related technologies to improve food security, alleviate poverty and promote sustainable agriculture. The Joint Centre consists of five Sections, each with an associated laboratory (located in Seibersdorf, 45 km south-east of Vienna), in the areas of: animal production and health; plant breeding and genetics; insect pest control; soil and water management and crop nutrition; and food and environmental protection.

The Animal Production and Health Section and Laboratory assist Member States in improving livestock productivity through the efficient use of locally available feed resources, reproduction and breeding practices, and disease diagnostic tools and control measures.

Main Purpose

Under the supervision and guidance of the Laboratory Head of Animal Production Health Laboratory, the consultant will provide technical expertise,  to the activities and projects in animal production, for a study aimed at genome-wide analysis of
livestock and development of low-density marker panel for selection and breeding to increase livestock productivity.
The methods will include genome-wide typing of single nucleotide polymorphic markers using microarray platform,
extraction of genotype data and bioinformatics analysis of large sets of genomic data to perform genetic evaluation
and characterization of livestock.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Perform quality control and sample preparation for high throughput genotyping of livestock breeds;
• Perform genome wide typing of livestock using SDKsingle nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers in a microarray platform;
• Extract genome wide data and implement quality control procedures to perform bioinformatics analysis of large sets of genomic data;
• Develop baseline genetic information on livestock breeds, evaluate population structure, estimate levels of inbreeding and effective population size in livestock populations;
• Provide technical expertise with other activities of the Section in relation to CRPand TC projects on animal genetics/breeding/reproduction as appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required –

Skills and Expertise

•    Animal Production

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum two years of post-qualifying experience and working knowledge on molecular genetic
  characterization of livestock, PCR(polymerase chain reaction) based high throughput genotyping
  technologies, statistical analysis of genotypic data.

• Post-graduate training in a subject related to genetics/animal genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology or
  biotechnology is an asset.

• Competence in computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation
  graphics and statistical packages.

• Experience in sample preparation for high throughput genotyping

• Experience in working in multicultural teams/international environment.

• Minimum two years of relevant experience

Remuneration

The remuneration for this consultancy is a daily fee of up to a maximum of € 200, based on qualifications and experience. In case duty travel is required within the assignment, a daily subsistence allowance (DSA) and travel costs are provided. Health coverage and pension fund are the responsibility of the incumbent.