Genomics of African indigenous cattle

We are currently seeking highly motivated PhD student for a fully-funded project to start in September 2019. The project will focus on analysing molecular data from modern and museum cattle samples to unravel their population histories in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to a rich but poorly understood diversity of indigenous cattle breeds. Many of the region’s ~150 indigenous breeds show unusual resistance to extremes of climate and disease, and these traits are likely to become increasingly important in the face of climate change and mixing of stocks. Despite this, many of these local cattle breeds are endangered, facing threats from uncontrolled crossbreeding, as well as from replacement by exotic yet ill-adapted European breeds. There is a now an urgent need to identify and characterise the genomic diversity of African cattle, to better manage and retain genetic diversity and avoid the permanent loss of desirable traits.

Genetically-varied African cattle breeds have evolved from a complex history of artificial and natural selection. The student will use genomic methods to reconstruct these processes. These analyses will be able to address key questions concerning African cattle, such as the origin and number of introductions of zebu cattle. The student will also perform analyses to quantify genetic diversity available in African cattle populations, and identify key genetic markers for disease, fertility and drought resistance in the genome of specific populations. Newly discovered markers will then be used to develop a screening panel (e.g. SNP array). This genomic tool is necessary to pave the way for future genomic selection of cattle breeds in Africa.

The PhD student will be trained in population genetics, genomics and bioinformatics by the supervisory team. Data collection, generation, and analyses will be funded by our non-academic partner SilverStreet Capital
Eligibility and Applying
The successful candidate is expected to have a strong academic background with a at least a 1st class or 2.1 Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent). An MSc in a relevant field (genomics, evolutionary biology, bioinformatics), and an interest in animal domestication, evolutionary genetics, and/or conservation issues, would also be advantageous.

Applicants from outside of the UK are required to provide evidence of their English language ability. Please see our English language requirements page for details.

For further details about the project, candidates can contact either Laurent Frantz ([Email Address Removed]), Stephen Rossiter ([Email Address Removed]), or Chris Faulkes ([Email Address Removed]). Formal applications should be submitted online by the stated deadline.