Leader Salmon Breeding Europe

About AquaGen

AquaGen AS is a research-driven breeding company which supplies genetic material to the global aquaculture industry. From broodstock kept in sea or on land, the company delivers fertilized salmon- and trout eggs to many of the world's largest aquaculture comapnies. With science, health and sustainability as driving forces, we manage the world's most refined breeding material for Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout and Pacific salmon. AquaGen has its headquarters in Trondheim, and the AquaGen group has over 300 employees spread across locations in Trondheim, Heim, Tingvoll, Ørsta, Steigen, Ås, Denmark, Scotland and Chile. The group has an annual turnover of approximately NOK 1.5 billion. 

Who are you and why is your role important to us? 

You want to contribute to making aquaculture a sustainable industry for the future. We are looking for a leader to take responsibility for our breeding program of Atlantic Salmon in Europe, including AquaGen sites, partners sites and in Scotland. You understand the breeding needs of the industry and collaborate with the R&D and Documentation areas within the Breeding and R&D department as well as with the Product manager in the development and validation of new products and the utilization of performance information from the field.  

In terms of personal qualities, you are a self-driven person who works effectively independently as well as within a team. You are well-organized and systematic in data handling and processing. You possess professional expertise in animal breeding, while at the same time you are humble about the expertise of others. You are capable of strategic thinking, communicating well and have problem-solving skills. You are pro-active with a positive attitude. It is important that you have experience and are willing to actively participate in the operational aspects of the fish breeding work, in close collaboration with the Production department.     

What will be your most important tasks 

• to secure the implementation of the breeding strategy and suggest changes to it when required 
• planning and participation in breeding operations 
• seek and contribute to the development of practical solutions to improve data collection 
• understand the practical work and salmon production in order to plan, coordinate, and carry out data collection together with production 
• secure the performance of all AquaGen’s Atlantic salmon breeding operations in Europe, including AquaGen sites, partners and Scotland as well as other places that might be added 
• suggest and report the selection criteria and expected genetic gain in selected fish groups to relevant discussion and decision arenas within the company
• coordinate all genotyping and phenotyping processes done for Atlantic Salmon breeding programs in AquaGen Europe and to secure the delivery of results when required for a proper selection 

We are especially looking for candidates with 

• MSc or equivalent qualification level in Breeding or genetics 
• proficient in Breeding and genetic data management systems and statistical analysis 
• a minimum of 5 years of experience on animal breeding is an advantage 
• Knowledge of the Norwegian salmon aquaculture 
• English and Norwegian as working languages, able to communicate well orally and in writing 

It’s preferrable if you have 

• experience in working with fish and fish production  
• knowledge of the latest methods in salmon genetics and animal breeding in general 

We offer you 

• a strong professional environment locally, nationally and internationally, with a focus on innovation and creation of value  
• challenging tasks with good opportunities for personal and professional development 
• a value-driven, positive and interdisciplinary working environment with high competence 
• an informal and good working environment 
• a solid job in a forward-looking industry with strong growth 
• good collective insurance and pension schemes 

We have head office in Trondheim and branches in Heim, Tingvoll, Ørsta, Steigen, Ås, Denmark, Scotland and Chile. As a Leader salmon breeding Europe, you get to work across our locations and therefore, frequent travel is expected, in Norway and internationally. The position is organized in the Breeding and R&D department and reports to the Global Breeding Operations Manager. 

Location: Trondheim or one of AquaGens locations

Read more about us here: www.aquagen.no  

For more information about the position, contact Global Breeding Operations Manager Sissel Kjøglum; sissel.kjoglum@aquagen.no / +47 952 21 325

For information about the recruiting process, contact HR Manager Merete Jünge; merete.junge@aquagen.no / +47 938 95 375

Last date for application: 04.11.24 

At AquaGen we are business-oriented, together about the task, honest and responsible, competent and innovative and committed to quality. We collaborate closely both with each other and with all the units that make up our value chain. It is important to us that our mission and values give you energy, meaning and motivation in your everyday work. Together we solve our great social mission; to deliver fresh and strong fish eggs to the farming industry - so that they can produce enough food from the sea for a population in constant growth. 

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