We invite applications for two doctoral positions as part of an international collaboration between leading research institutes in Switzerland and Belgium. The Animal Genomics group at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences at ETH Zurich and the Quantitative Genetics & Genomics group led by Dr. Tom Druet at the University of Liège are exploring DNA variation within individual animal genomes and across populations. Our teams utilize cutting-edge technologies to sequence the genomes and transcriptomes of farm animals, while applying advanced bioinformatics and statistical genomics approaches to characterize trait-associated genetic variations. We are seeking candidates for two PhD positions that lie at the crossroads of computational and statistical genomics, and bioinformatics.
The project, titled “PangenomiX - Assessing impacts of sex chromosomal structural variants on reproduction- and meiosis-related traits in cattle through pangenomes and advanced imputation and association methods,” is a collaborative effort between Dr. Tom Druet and Prof. Hubert Pausch. Recently funded as a Weave-project by the Fonds de la recherche scientifique (F.R.S.-FNRS) and the Swiss National Science Foundation, PangenomiX aims to examine how structural variants (SV) on sex chromosomes contribute to genetic variation in complex traits, specifically those related to reproduction and meiosis.
The project will involve generating a new pangenome for cattle that includes nearly complete assemblies of the sex chromosomes. We will develop statistical methods to transfer information from the pangenome variation panel to large mapping populations through imputation, enabling us to conduct association testing between complex traits and SVs.
This four-year project builds upon the extensive research previously undertaken by the Animal Genomics group and the Quantitative Genetics & Genomics group. We have amassed significant long-read sequencing data (PacBio HiFi) to construct genome assemblies, which are now being integrated into pangenomes for further investigation into the distribution of structural variants in cattle and related species. We have also pioneered imputation methods that generate accurate genotypes in pedigreed populations and haplotype-based association testing approaches tailored for sex chromosomes.
PangenomiX will leverage large-scale long and short read sequencing data from two cattle populations to characterize structural variant diversity on the sex chromosomes and investigate the influence of these variants on male fertility and recombination rates.
We are searching for two enthusiastic and motivated candidates to join the project:
Close collaboration between both doctoral students is expected, along with anticipated research exchanges between the two groups. Previous experience with genomic data analysis on high-performance computing clusters, combined with strong communication skills, will be advantageous.
We offer an inspiring, supportive, and collaborative research environment that facilitates seamless integration into an ambitious research project. Our team consists of an energetic and international group of researchers dedicated to making significant contributions to high-level academic research in the field of animal genomics. Our track record includes numerous publications in leading multidisciplinary journals.
ETH Zurich is committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity, and create a working and learning environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. To learn more about our commitment to equal opportunities and diversity, please visit our website. Sustainability is a core principle for us, and we are consistently striving towards a climate-neutral future.
Both positions are fixed-term for a duration of four years, with an anticipated start date of September 1, 2026 (negotiable). Some of the necessary data for conducting the research has already been collected, enabling a potentially earlier start date for the project. You will either join the Animal Genomics group led by Hubert Pausch or the Quantitative Genetics & Genomics group led by Dr. Tom Druet.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
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Location : Zürich
Country : Switzerland