Research Geneticist

Job Description

Alta Genetics USA Inc. is looking for a Research Geneticist to develop and apply genetic and genomic tools, analyze data, and enhance prediction models to support livestock breeding programs and research initiatives. Position is based in Watertown, Wisconsin.

PhD in Animal Science, Quantitative Genetics or a related field and 5 years of experience as a Research Scientist in Quantitative Genetics. In addition, the following specific skills are required:

• 5 years of experience with the genomic evaluation process, including ingestion and editing of data from the field, integration of field data with pedigree and genomic information, imputation of genotypes to a common set of variants used for prediction, estimation of (co) variance components, and prediction of breeding values;
• 5 years of experience with livestock production;
• 5 years of experience with constructing software pipelines to automate routine tasks, including data ingestion, storage, editing, and analysis;
• 5 years of experience with basic bioinformatics procedure, such as alignment of whole-genome DNA sequence data against reference genomes, simple variant calling, and downstream analysis of variant effects on gene structure/function;
• 5 years of experience with using computers for research, including statistical software (e.g., ASReml, BLUPF
  90, R, or Python) and Microsoft Office;
• Must be willing and able to travel 10% domestic or international.

Alta Genetics is a global leader in the production, marketing, and distribution of beef and dairy cattle genetics worldwide, with retail operations in 14 markets and partners in more than 55 wholesale markets. We provide dairy and beef consulting services and solutions in cow activity and health monitoring, calf nutrition, reproduction, and herd management programs. Through industry-leading training and development programs, Alta Genetics aspires to be the most resourceful, valuable, and trusted partner for progressive dairy farms and beef ranches that nourish the world through sustainable and profitable operations.

Alta has deep roots in the industry through its origin within the URUS family of companies. As a holding company with cooperative and private ownership, URUS is a family of businesses at the heart of the dairy and beef industry – Alta Genetics, GENEX, Genetics Australia, Leachman Cattle, Jetstream, PEAK, SCCL, Trans Ova Genetics and VAS. Each organization has its unique identity, products, and services.

These companies work globally to provide cutting-edge dairy and beef genetics, customized reproductive services to maximize conceptions, dairy management information to take producers to the frontline of progressive dairy farming, and an array of products and services to help bovines reach their full genetic potential. URUS has 9 brands in 17 retail countries and employs nearly 2,800 people globally.