Modelling and analysis for genomics assisted breeding in perennial forage and biofuel crops

Rapid genetic improvement of crops for food, feedstock and energy is an urgent priority to meet the needs of an increasing population under changing environmental conditions. One way to shorten breeding cycles is to use large numbers of molecular markers, or even whole-genome sequence data, to predict important phenotypic traits and thereby inform selection decisions long before plants have reached maturity. This approach, known as genomic selection (GS), is widely used in livestock breeding and is considered highly promising for accelerated plant breeding, especially for perennial, relatively undomesticated crops.

The objective of this project will be to assess existing and develop novel analytical approaches for GS using both computer simulations and empirical data for perennial ryegrass and Miscanthus. Ample resources are available to support these activities, including two BBSRC institute strategic programme grants, two BBSRC responsive mode grants that are specifically focused on GS (each employing a postdoctoral research assistant), extensive germplasm collections in both crops, multiple high-performance computing systems across two university departments (IBERS and IMAPS) and a number of newly appointed researchers in the areas of bioinformatics, computer science and genomics. Last, but not least, IBERS is the only university department in the UK with active crop plant breeding programmes, which allows testing the GS models on real breeding populations.

Candidates should have: a degree in computer science, including experience with machine learning, statistics, modelling, search strategies, algorithms and bioinformatics. Alternatively, candidates may hold a degree in biology or agriculture, but should have extensive experience with programming and statistics. Experience using scripting languages such as Python is desirable.

Candidates should have (or expect to achieve) a First Class or Upper second class honours degree and/or a masters degree
(or equivalent) in a relevant subject."

We encourage prospective candidates to contact the lead supervisor Dr Leif Skot [Email Address Removed]; 01970 823133;
http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/research/research-groups/breeding-methodologies/

http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/opportunities-@-ibers/