Postdoctoral position (M/F) : Quantifying losses in dairy production due to heat-stress

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INRAE presentation

The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is a major player in research and innovation. It is a community of 12,000 people with 272 research, experimental research, and support units located in 18 regional centres throughout France. Internationally, INRAE is among the top research organisations in the agricultural and food sciences, plant and animal sciences, as well as in ecology and environmental science. It is the world’s leading research organisation specialising in agriculture, food and the environment. INRAE’s goal is to be a key player in the transitions necessary to address major global challenges. Faced with a growing world population, climate change, resource scarcity, and declining biodiversity, the Institute has a major role to play in building solutions and supporting the necessary acceleration of agricultural, food and environmental transitions to address the major global challenges.

Work environment, missions and activities

Context

One of the impacts of climate change is the increasing frequency and intensity of heat-stress events, creating new challenges for livestock production. In dairy cattle, heat-stress, often measured through the exposure to elevated temperature-humidity-indexes (THI), is known to negatively impact milk production, reproduction, health, and ultimately the economic and environmental efficiency of dairy farming systems.

Dairy cows, however, do not respond uniformly to heat stress. Substantial genetic variation exists in the ability of animals to maintain production when exposed to challenging climatic conditions. This variation can be investigated through genotype-by-environment (G×E) interactions across the THI experienced by animals. Changes in genetic parameters and breeding values across THI levels provide a framework for characterising differences in animal sensitivity to heat stress and identifying animals that are better able to maintain production under high temperatures.

Quantifying this impact of heat-stress in dairy cattle production is therefore essential to anticipate the consequences of future climatic conditions and to develop effective selection strategies to mitigate the impact of these conditions to the sector.You will be welcomed in the unit GABI, team: GBoS – Genetics for Bovine Sustainability

Your mission will be to explore genetic and phenotypic information, combined with environmental data, to quantify production losses associated with heat stress in dairy cattle, over a whole lactation. A study of the trans-lactation impact of heat-stress is also envisioned for this position. Genetic evaluation models accounting for G×E interactions across the THI will be deployed in large-scale animal and meteorological data for the studies planned in this position.

 

Topic

The position will focus on exploiting genetic and phenotypic information, combined with environmental data, to quantify production losses associated with heat stress in dairy cattle, over a whole lactation. A study of the trans-lactation impact of heat-stress is also envisioned for this position. Genetic evaluation models accounting for G×E interactions across the THI will be deployed in large-scale animal and meteorological data for the studies planned in this position.

 

Objectives

The analyses conducted by the postdoc should contribute to a better understanding of the genetic basis of heat-stress and provide quantitative indicators of the impact of heat stress at both animal and population levels.

You will be more specifically in charge of:

1. Perform genetic evaluations accounting for GxE interactions
2. Critically analyze the outputs of these genetic evaluations
3. Deliver scientific reports and present results to diverse public

Training and skills

Recommended training: PhD degree in animal breeding, genetics, biostatistics/informatics, or related field

Desired knowledge: animal breeding

Appreciated experience: familiarity with Linux/Unix environment and experience with genetic evaluation methods

Skills: good level of English

INRAE's life quality

By joining our teams, you benefit from (depending on the type of contract and its duration):

- up to 30 days of annual leave + 15 days "Reduction of Working Time" (for a full time);
- parenting support: CESU childcare, leisure services;
- skills development systems: training, career advise;
- social support: advice and listening, social assistance and loans;
- holiday and leisure services: holiday vouchers, accommodation at preferential rates;
- sports and cultural activities;
- collective catering.

How to apply

I send my CV and my motivation letter