PhD in Disease Ecology

University of Jyvaskyla; Jyväskylä; On-site; EUR 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Jyväskylä in Jyväskylä, Finland, is recruiting a Doctoral Researcher in Disease Ecology for a fixed term of 42 months, starting 4 January 2027 (or as agreed). The project uses a One Health approach to study urbanisation, forest management, and zoonotic disease risk across Finland's environments.

The role focuses on integrating large datasets and applying R, GIS, and statistical modelling to answer host-pathogen questions.

Qualifications

• A suitable master’s degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, quantitative ecology or a related discipline with demonstrated experience using R for data processing, statistical analysis and visualisation.
• A sound understanding of statistical modelling and an interest in integrating complex ecological and environmental datasets.
• A strong interest in disease ecology, wildlife-pathogen interactions, environmental change and One Health. Good written and spoken English.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international research environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare scientific publications and complete the doctoral dissertation and required doctoral studies.
• Conduct quantitative analyses integrating long-term wildlife data, pathogen-screening results and environmental information.
• Collaborate with supervisors and international research team on project deliverables.
• Contribute to dissemination of findings through conferences and journals.

Skills

R for data analysis

Spatial analysis

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree in epidemiology/biostatistics/quantitative ecology

Tools

GIS

Statistical modelling

Job description

The Department of Biological and Environmental Science at the University of Jyväskylä is seeking to recruit one Doctoral Researcher in Disease Ecology starting 4 January 2027, or as agreed, but no later than 1 March 2027, for a fixed term of 42 months.

The fixed-term position is for completing doctoral studies. The position is funded by the Research Council of Finland through Yingying Wang’s Academy Research Fellowship project, Zoonotic disease risk under anthropogenic pressure: linking landscape change with human-animal and vector interfaces.

This project takes a One Health approach to investigating how urbanisation and forest management shape wildlife-pathogen-human interactions and zoonotic disease risk across Finland’s urban, rural and forest environments.

The doctoral researcher’s work will focus on quantitative analysis, integrating large, heterogeneous datasets. These include long-term wildlife monitoring and small-mammal trapping records, camera-trap observations, pathogen-screening results, land-use and climate information.

Potential research directions

• Assessing wildlife community and pathogen responses to urbanisation and forest management
• Identifying host-pathogen associations relevant to zoonotic transmission
• Integrating ecological, environmental data to model potential human exposure to zoonotic pathogens

Key approaches include reproducible data processing and statistical analysis in R, spatial and spatiotemporal modelling, and ecological community analysis.

Depending on the dissertation topic, the research may also include mathematical or mechanistic modelling of disease transmission and human exposure. The dissertation topic and methods will be agreed with the supervisors based on the candidate’s interests and expertise.

Duties include preparing scientific publications and completing a doctoral dissertation and required doctoral studies. The duties, qualification requirements and language skills requirements are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines (Doctoral Students). A six-month trial period will apply. The doctoral researcher will be supervised by Yingying Wang and Eva Kallio.

Who should apply

• A suitable master’s degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, quantitative ecology or a related discipline with demonstrated experience using R for data processing, statistical analysis and visualisation. A sound understanding of statistical modelling and an interest in integrating complex ecological and environmental datasets. A strong interest in disease ecology, wildlife-pathogen interactions, environmental change and One Health. Good written and spoken English. The ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international research environment.
• Experience in spatial or spatiotemporal analysis and GIS, hierarchical or mixed-effects models, ecological community modelling, integration of large datasets, or mathematical or mechanistic infectious disease modelling is an advantage.
• The master’s degree must be completed before employment begins.
• The selected candidate must hold, or apply for, doctoral study rights at the University of Jyväskylä through the Faculty of Mathematics and Science’s separate admission procedure.

What we offer

Come to Jyväskylä, Finland, and join our vibrant and inspiring community! We offer an interdisciplinary research environment connecting ecology, environmental science and infectious disease research within a One Health framework, with opportunities for international collaboration, research visits and methodological training.

The position is full-time and based in Jyväskylä, Finland. Salaries are based on job demands and employees’ performance following the Finnish University Salary System. The salary for a Doctoral Researcher is determined based on the task-specific demand level 2-4 for teaching and research staff. The starting salary will be approximately EUR 2500 per month (gross income). A holiday bonus is paid to all employees. With progress of thesis work, the salary will be revised in accordance with the Collective Agreement of Finnish Education Employers.

At the University of Jyväskylä, you will be a valued member of our community with a unique opportunity to contribute to international research. You will become part of our international and multidisciplinary community that prioritises the wellbeing of each individual. Our lively campus provides excellent opportunities for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. Finland, named the world’s happiest country for consecutive years since 2018, offers a high standard of living with free education (also in English), affordable childcare, generous family benefits, and comprehensive healthcare. Work-life balance is highly valued in Finland, and employees enjoy four to six weeks of annual holiday. Jyväskylä is located in central Finland, just three hours by train from the capital Helsinki. Part of the Finnish Lakeland, the city offers easy access to nature and a range of outdoor, sports and exercise activities. As a major centre of education with a large student population, it also features a vibrant cultural scene.

For more information about the University of Jyväskylä, the city of Jyväskylä, and living in Finland, see the University's International Staff Guide. We offer good working conditions for researchers and promote the principles of HR Excellence in Research, HRS4R. The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is based on the values of the European Charter for Researchers & The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code). JYU is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions, and undertakes the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland. JYU has signed the DORA Declaration. By signing the agreement, JYU is committed to complying with the CoARA principles.

Department of Biological and Environmental Science Good science, good life! The Department of Biological and Environmental Science is an international and multidisciplinary research community conducting impactful research to improve understanding of biodiversity, the environment and biological systems, from the molecular and cellular levels to biological communities and ecosystems. Our research strengths include evolutionary biology, natural resources and the environment, and biological nanoscience. We work closely with partners in academia, the public sector, and industry. Our research is supported by high-quality, versatile infrastructure on the Ylistönrinne campus, including the modern laboratories and experimental facilities in the Ambiotica building and in the Nanoscience Center. Field and laboratory teaching are central to our curriculum. By combining theory with practical experience, we prepare students to address real-world challenges. The Konnevesi research station provides opportunities for large scale ecologically relevant experiments and field studies, as well as a location for workshops and field courses in a natural setting. The department has approximately 200 staff members and 450 students. Together, they form an international and supportive community that brings together research, education and societal impact.