Graduate position: Top predators & parasites in the Baltic Sea

Job Details

PhD student position: Impact of Expanding Top Predator and Definitive host Populations on Parasite Diversity and Transmission in the Baltic Sea

We are seeking a highly motivated student holding a Master’s degree in Genetics, Biosciences, Molecular Biology, Ecology or a related field for a four-year, fully funded PhD position. The project investigates the hidden consequences of parasitism associated with expanding top predators and ecosystem engineers - cormorants and grey seals, in the Baltic Sea. Using molecular, experimental and field surveys, we focus on wide range of parasites with complex life cycle (trematodes, nematodes, cestodes and Acanthocephala) infecting fish, birds (cormorants) and mammals (grey seals) as final hosts. We aim to characterize how these emerging top predators are re-shaping host-parasite interactions, promoting parasite transmission and generating disease hotspots in the coastal areas, affecting wild fish as well as farmed fish in net pens.

The research will be conducted at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Chair of Aquaculture) under the topic: “Impacts of Expanding Top Predator Populations on Parasite Diversity and Transmission in the Baltic Sea”. The successful applicant will join a collaborative project supervised by Prof. Riho Gross, Prof. Anti Vasemägi and Dr. Alfonso Diaz Suarez. The Chair of Aquaculture hosts a multinational team of researchers, PhD/Master’s students, and technicians, offering the applicant extensive opportunities for collaboration.

The PhD student will participate in the following research tasks:

1. Investigate if cormorant breeding colonies generate trematode and cestode transmission hotspots in adjacent coastal habitats, leading to elevated infection prevalence, parasite load, and diversity in first (snails and copepods) and second (fish) intermediate hosts.
2. Investigate if grey seal breeding and moulting colonies generate nematode, cestode, and acanthocephalan transmission hotspots, increasing infection levels in copepods (first intermediate host) and fish (second intermediate host).

   We are seeking a highly motivated student holding a Master’s degree in Genetics, Biosciences, Molecular Biology, Ecology or a related field for a four-year, fully funded PhD position. The project investigates the hidden consequences of parasitism associated with expanding top predators and ecosystem engineers - cormorants and grey seals, in the Baltic Sea. Using molecular, experimental and field surveys, we focus on wide range of parasites with complex life cycle (trematodes, nematodes, cestodes and Acanthocephala) infecting fish, birds (cormorants) and mammals (grey seals) as final hosts. We aim to characterize how these emerging top predators are re-shaping host-parasite interactions, promoting parasite transmission and generating disease hotspots in the coastal areas, affecting wild fish as well as farmed fish in net pens.

   The research will be conducted at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Chair of Aquaculture) under the topic: “Impacts of Expanding Top Predator Populations on Parasite Diversity and Transmission in the Baltic Sea”. The successful applicant will join a collaborative project supervised by Prof. Riho Gross, Prof. Anti Vasemägi and Dr. Alfonso Diaz Suarez. The Chair of Aquaculture hosts a multinational team of researchers, PhD/Master’s students, and technicians, offering the applicant extensive opportunities for collaboration.

   The PhD student will participate in the following research tasks:

3. Investigate if cormorant breeding colonies generate trematode and cestode transmission hotspots in adjacent coastal habitats, leading to elevated infection prevalence, parasite load, and diversity in first (snails and copepods) and second (fish) intermediate hosts.
4. Investigate if grey seal breeding and moulting colonies generate nematode, cestode, and acanthocephalan transmission hotspots, increasing infection levels in copepods (first intermediate host) and fish (second intermediate host).

How to apply:

Applications should be sent to supervisors, Prof. Riho Gross (riho.gross@emu.ee) and Prof. Anti Vasemägi (anti.vasemagi@slu.se) and include a motivation letter (with academic background, research experience, interests and goals), academic CV and contact details of two references and a copy of your master´s degree certificate (or expected date of obtaining the master's degree). Please use the code PhD2026 in the subject line.

Submission deadline of applications to supervisors: May 10, 2026

We screen for potential doctoral candidates to whom we give a recommendation to submit their application documents in accordance with the procedures established by the university:

Admission to PhD studies in Estonian University of Life Sciences: https://www.emu.ee/en/admission-to-phd-studies

Description of Doctoral studies (PhD) in Estonian University of Life Sciences: https://www.emu.ee/en/doctoral-studies-phd

Submission deadline of admission documents for non-Estonian residents: June 1, 2026.

Starting date of PhD position: September 1, 2026.

If you have any further questions, please contact Prof. Riho Gross (riho.gross@emu.ee).

Requirements

Requirements:

• Motivation: Highly motivated, intellectually curious and sociable.
• Technical Skills: At least basic experience in a molecular laboratory, alongside basic bioinformatics and statistical skills.
• Fieldwork: Willingness to participate in fieldwork.
• Collaboration: Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Language: Fluency in English (both written and spoken).

The following are considered an advantage:

• Programming experience in R, UNIX, or other relevant languages.
• Experience in bioinformatics
• A university degree with a specific focus on genetics, molecular biology, ecology or fish biology.

Contact Information