This PhD project will examine the capacity of dairy cows to respond to environmental challenges manifested in climate change and variation in the nutritional value of consumed feed. The hypothesis is that different animals respond differently to these challenges, partly due to inherent genetic factors.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with a large database from a unique dairy cattle population raised at the SRUC research farm in Scotland. The cows are closely monitored and densely phenotyped as part of a long-running feed and genetic selection study. Individual cow data include milk yield and composition (protein, fat, lactose), feed intake, live body weight, body condition score, reproduction, and health records. These performance data span more than 25 years and will be matched with corresponding weather data and data on the nutrient composition of feed consumed by the cows.
All data will then be jointly analysed with advanced statistical models to derive novel phenotypes reflecting the response of animal performance to variation in weather and nutrient intake. The magnitude of this response will determine the animal’s resilience to external challenge.
The novel resilience phenotypes will subsequently be analysed together with available animal pedigree and genotypic data from genome-wide DNA arrays. These analyses will aim to genetically characterise animal resilience through variance component and genetic parameter estimation, genome-wide association studies, regional heritability mapping and calculation of genomic breeding values. Genetic and genomic associations of resilience with other cow traits (productivity, reproduction, health) will also be derived.
The project will require advanced data handling skills and aptitude in statistical, computational and genomic analysis. Relevant specialised training will be available as needed.
HOW TO APPLY
Application instructions can be found on the SRUC website- PhD opportunities | SRUC
- Download and complete the Equal opportunities survey and note the completion reference
- Download and complete the SRUC Application form
- Download the Academic Reference Request and send to two referees requesting they submit to [Email Address Removed] by the closing date.
Send your application including the following to [Email Address Removed]:
- Completed Application form quoting REF SRUC/KT
- Academic Qualifications
- English Language Qualification (if applicable)
Unfortunately due to workload constraints, we cannot consider incomplete applications. Please make sure your application is complete by 5th January 2023.
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