ABRI Seeks Quantitative Geneticist

• Lead genetics and genomic integration across global evaluation systems

• Translate research into operational pipelines with real‑world industry impact

• Join a respected organisation driving innovation in livestock improvement

Lead Global Agricultural Innovation

For more than 50 years, the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI) has been a trusted leader in livestock genetic evaluation. Today, ABRI supports over 70 breed societies and millions of recorded animals worldwide through BREEDPLAN®, Breed Registry Software and a suite of advanced genetic technologies. As we strengthen our scientific capability and expand our global services, we are seeking a highly skilled Quantitative Geneticist to join our team.

This is a unique opportunity to apply advanced quantitative genetics in an operational environment, shaping the future of animal breeding in Australia and internationally. This is an applied, industry‑facing position where your work will directly influence breeding decisions, evaluation systems and long‑term genetic progress.

The Opportunity

As a Quantitative Geneticist, you will ensure the scientific integrity, robustness and evolution of ABRI’s genetic evaluation services, with a particular focus on BREEDPLAN® and genomic integration. You will work across complex datasets, support parameter estimation, contribute to genomic pipelines, and translate research outputs into stable, repeatable production systems.

You will also engage with breed societies, researchers, and technical committees, providing clear, evidence‑based explanations of evaluation outcomes and contributing to the development of new traits, indices and methodologies.

This role suits a technically strong geneticist who enjoys solving complex problems, working with imperfect real‑world data, and contributing to industry‑level impact.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Undertake and review genetic parameter estimation, including variance, covariance and heritability estimation

• Diagnose and interpret changes in EBVs and genetic trends following evaluation updates

• Support genomic evaluations using GBLUP and single‑step methodologies

• Validate, transform and quality‑check genomic datasets, including international data

• Translate research outputs into operational evaluation pipelines

• Validate new traits, indices and methodologies prior to deployment

• Represent ABRI on BREEDPLAN technical committees and working groups

• Provide clear technical explanations to both expert and non‑expert stakeholders

• Contribute to the evolution of BREEDPLAN®, ILR2 and related products

• Work across modern software systems

About You

You are a scientifically rigorous and practically minded quantitative geneticist who can balance analytical depth with operational pragmatism. You bring strong diagnostic capability, sound judgement, and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly.

Your background demonstrates:

• Postgraduate qualifications in quantitative genetics, animal breeding or a related discipline (PhD or MSc desirable)

• Experience applying quantitative genetics in an operational or applied research setting

• Strong grounding in mixed‑model methodology and genetic evaluation theory

• Experience with genomic evaluation approaches (GBLUP, ssGBLUP)

• Competence in statistical packages and familiarity with modern analytic software platforms

• Ability to work with complex, imperfect or international datasets

• Confidence engaging with senior technical stakeholders, researchers and breed societies

Why ABRI?

It is a rare opportunity to shape the future of livestock genetics through research, innovation and global industry impact, and:

• Lead quantitative genetics and genomic integration across BREEDPLAN®

• Translate research into operational pipelines with real‑world impact

• Engage with breed societies, researchers and technical committees

• Join a respected organisation driving innovation in livestock improvement

Next Steps

This is an exceptional opportunity for a bold and strategic leader.

Please apply here or email jobs@pinnaclepeoplesolutions.com.au to obtain a Candidate Information Book.

Details on how to submit a complete application are included in the Candidate Information Book.

For a confidential discussion, contact Ms. Amanda Siviter, HR Consultant, at amanda.s@pinnacelpeoplesolutions.com.au or call 0408 216 261.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Closing date for applications: 8 February 2026