We are currently recruiting for a Senior Geneticist to work primarily for our Beef & Lamb sector, on a hybrid basis, two/three days from our HQ in Coventry and the remainder working remotely from home. A valid full UK driving licence is essential with the flexibility to travel to meeting.

This newly created role will be a subject matter expert on animal breeding and genetics, collaborating with stakeholders across both the beef and sheep sectors. It will involve researching, collating, analysing, interpreting information, and will lead key areas of communication on the animal breeding and genetics to levy payers and key stakeholders.

We are looking for a confident communicator who is able to engage and build credibility in the industry as the recognised expert, ideally with previous experience in quantitative genetics/genomic evaluations and a background in the livestock sector.

At the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), we inspire our farmers, growers and industry to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Working at AHDB, you won’t just be helping our farmers produce the food we eat and look after our environment, you’ll be helping to shape the future of food production and leaving a legacy for the next generation.

 

Responsibilities

• Provide nationally recognised expertise in animal breeding and genetics, and use that expertise to expand the knowledge base of other AHDB staff related to the topic
• Lead on the delivery of new tools and services, development of evaluations, introduction of new traits, indexes and genomics
• Provide expertise in genomic evaluations in beef and sheep and ensure AHDB’s services are making best use of current best available techniques
• Provide expert input to the development of AHDB strategy in beef and sheep genetics
• Deliver high profile and insightful animal breeding and genetics information on farm, via presentations/webinars, and in writing through online articles and agricultural press
• Provide factual UK relevant data to the media, government, and the supply chain
• Work with levy payers and knowledge exchange teams to understand the challenges facing UK agriculture and ensure that industry needs are identified and evaluated
• Connect externally and internally to generate new ideas, identify best practice and promote sharing, ensuring research and knowledge exchange achieves a significant impact with our levy payers
• Keep up-to-date with scientific advancements in animal breeding and genetics, while working with external parties to identify and provide leadership on emerging risks
• Initiate the commissioning of projects, manage the delivery, and evaluate the effectiveness of completed projects and provide advice on subsequent actions
• Represent AHDB in relevant national/international forums
• Develop and maintain relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders/professionals

 

Essential Criteria

• Post-graduate qualification or experience at a senior level in quantitative genetics/genomic evaluations is preferred, although a degree in agricultural, genetics or related discipline, or equivalent qualification is essential
• Knowledge of, or experience in animal breeding sector is also ideal
• Further experience in commercial livestock, and cattle and sheep breeding sectors preferred
• Practical experience of delivering technical information to a non-technical audience
• High level of attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and precision in all tasks and deliverables
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• Effective time management and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and manage deadlines

 

The benefits…

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work, so we have a great mix of benefits and opportunities, to give you the recognition you deserve:

• 35 hours per week, to include hybrid working
• 33 days annual leave plus one privilege day (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Life assurance cover (4 x salary)
• A market-leading defined contribution pension scheme with Legal & General
• Enhanced pay of 20 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, subject to length of service
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan
• Recognition Awards throughout the year
• Access to the Government’s tax-free childcare scheme
• Reward Gateway membership – this gives you a huge number of online discounts and savings

 

Apply now, or call 02476 935722 if you require any further information.

 

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.

At AHDB, you'll find we are committed to developing, maintaining and supporting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, to include flexible working opportunities. This applies to both our workforce and the practices we follow.