Would you like to participate in breeding wheat for Icelandic conditions?
The Agricultural University of Iceland (AUI) is looking for a staff member to manage wheat breeding trials. This is a breeding project funded by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries. The role includes setting up trials for breeding materials in a two-phase breeding project and being responsible for phenotypic analysis. The project is based at AUI in Hvanneyri, but trials must also be set up across the country, with collaboration between the breeding scientist and other staff members.
The Plant Breeding Project "Vala":
Icelandic authorities have decided to fund breeding efforts for barley and wheat tailored to Icelandic conditions. This project follows an action plan for increasing grain cultivation in Iceland, with the goal of improving self-sufficiency in grain production and food security. The Vala breeding project is a two-phase breeding initiative where results from domestic grain trials are used to calculate breeding values through genetic analyses. Data is collected from international partners, and the breeding score is calculated by the breeding scientist involved in the project.
The Agricultural University of Iceland is an educational and research institution in the fields of agriculture, land use, environmental sciences, landscape architecture, and urban planning. AUI offers BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees, along with vocational education and training in agricultural studies.
Key Responsibilities:
- Preparing seed and designing trials.
- Data collection during the growing season, harvesting, and processing samples from trial plots.
- Follow-up at trial sites during the growing season, collecting data on agronomic traits, disease symptoms in plants, and pesticide use.
- Statistical analysis of the results of each trial for the breeding project and for stakeholders, when applicable.
- Development and implementation of trial seeding using GPS systems.
- Management and maintenance of trial equipment and research tools (e.g., plot seeders, plot threshers, sprayers) and transporting equipment between regions.
- Presentations for stakeholders and collaborators.
- Coordination of phenotypic analysis methods in international research projects.
- Perform ad-hoc tasks and work with students and scientists on related projects.
Required Qualifications:
- BSc degree in agronomy, crop science, or animal science; MSc degree is an advantage.
- Basic knowledge of statistics with an understanding of models used in field trials.
- Ability and willingness to work long days during peak periods such as sowing and harvesting.
- Organizational skills and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Pesticide application certification.
- Experience in agriculture and driving tractors; machinery operation licenses for tractors.
- Additional driving licenses (C, BE, CE) are an advantage.
- Basic knowledge of programming in R, Python, or other relevant statistical software is a plus.
- Proficiency in both Icelandic and English, both written and spoken.
- Positive attitude toward challenges and initiative.
Further Information about the Position:
Salary according to the applicable collective agreement between the Minister of Finance and the relevant trade union.
The Agricultural University of Iceland reserves the right to reject all applications. The advertisement may remain valid for up to six months. All applicants will be notified once a decision has been made regarding the appointment.
Full-time position (100%)
Application deadline: February 28, 2025
For further information, contact:
- Björn Þorsteinsson:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Phone: +354 433 5000 - Guðmunda Smáradóttir:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Phone: +354 433 5000
