Postdoc in computer vision-based phenotyping of sow strength and lameness for genetic improvement of sow longevity

Job profile

Are you interested in applying computer-vision technologies to phenotyping sow strength and lameness towards genetic improvement of sow longevity and can you contribute to the development of the project DiGiSOW - An improved and sustainable sow through digital transformation of breeding for sow longevity? Then the Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics invites you to apply for a two-year postdoc position.

Job description

This section may include topics such as:

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and refine methods to capture phenotypes related to sow strength and lameness using computer vision.
• Define morphological and behavioral features correlated with expert gait and leg conformation analysis.
• Collaborate on creating algorithms to evaluate these features, transforming them into quantitative models for genetic modeling.
• Leverage AI and machine learning methods for precision phenotyping, including feature extraction from video and image data.

Your profile

• PhD in data science, precision livestock farming, computer vision, or a closely related field.
• Familiarity with animal behavior and welfare, particularly in livestock.
• Experience in phenotype development for livestock using sensor-based technologies, preferably computer vision.
• Experience in PLF systems with applications in automated monitoring and trait capture, particularly for livestock.
• Proficiency in handling and analyzing large datasets, particularly images or videos from PLF systems.
• Knowledge of biological and anatomical features relevant to animal gait and lameness.
• Programming skills in languages like Python, particularly in computer vision or machine learning frameworks.
• Strong collaborative skills to work with geneticists, data scientists, and software developers in an interdisciplinary team.

Who we are

QGG is an international research center with more than 70 employees and visitors from more than 22 nations worldwide.

We offer a dynamic research environment where we value ownership, responsibility and a respectful workplace culture. We conduct basic and applied research within quantitative genetics and genomics and our research is characterized by a very close collaboration with industry partners. Hence, you will be part of a research environment where results are put to practice and are used by industry and in public sector consultancy to facilitate the green transition.  QGG is part of Aarhus University (AU), a world class university. The city Aarhus is an exciting place to live with a strong student community and a high standard of living.

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is C. F. Møllers Allé 3, 8000, Aarhus C, in the centre of the Aarhus University main campus, and neighboring highly related departments. 

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Tenure Track Assistant Professor Grum Gebreyesus, (+45) 22347073,  grum.gebreyesusqgg.au.dk.

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/