********************GradStudentPositions******************** PhD student position: Man-made and Beaver Dams as Modulators of Aquatic Host-parasite Communities and Disease Landscapes 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 will evaluate the effects of man-made and beaver dams as modulators of fish parasite dynamics. Our primary focus is an emerging salmonid parasite myxozoan Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (Tb) and its associated temperature-dependent disorder, Proliferative Kidney Disease (PKD). For more background, please look at our recent works (Lauringson et al. 2026 Comm Biol, https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-09470-1) The admitted doctoral researcher will be employed as a full-time junior research fellow for four years. The research will be conducted at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Chair of Aquaculture, Tartu, Estonia). The PhD project is supervised by Prof. Anti Vasemägi, Prof. Riho Gross and Dr. Magnus Lauringson. 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: Investigate whether man-made dams & reservoirs increase Tb prevalence, infection intensity and severity of PKD symptoms at European scale. Investigate whether beaver dams increase Tb prevalence, infection intensity and severity of PKD symptoms. Investigate how man-made & beaver dams alter downstream parasite communities. 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. A university degree with a specific focus on genetics, molecular biology, ecology or fish biology. How to apply: Applications should be sent to supervisors, Prof. Anti Vasemägi (anti.vasemagi@slu.se) and Dr. Magnus Lauringson (magnus.lauringson@emu.ee) 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 Dr. Magnus Lauringson (magnus.lauringson@emu.ee). Magnus Lauringson (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** 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, Veterinary Medicine 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. By integrating molecular tools, experimental approaches, and field surveys, the study focuses on wide range of parasites with complex life cycle (trematodes, nematodes, cestodes and Acanthocephala). In this system, fish typically serve as second intermediate hosts, while birds (cormorants) and mammals (grey seals) function as definitive hosts. The central aim is to determine how recovering and expanding top predator populations reshape host–parasite interactions, enhance parasite transmission, and generate localized disease hotspots in coastal ecosystems. The admitted doctoral researcher will be employed as a full-time junior research fellow for four years. The research will be conducted at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Chair of Aquaculture, Tartu, Estonia). The PhD project is 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: Investigate whether 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. Investigate whether 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). Requirements: Motivation: Highly motivated, intellectually curious and sociable. Technical Skills: At least basic experience in molecular methods, 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). Proof of English language proficiency is required The following are considered as an advantage: Programming skills in R, UNIX, or other relevant languages. Experience in bioinformatics, metabarcoding, analyses of next generation sequencing data A university degree with a specific focus on genetics, molecular biology, ecology or fish biology. 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). Magnus Lauringson (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************GradStudentPositions******************** PhD position in evolutionary genomics Would you like to conduct research on the evolution of sex chromosomes and sex ratio, supported by skilled and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer committed to sustainable working conditions and offering secure and advantageous terms of employment? You are welcome to apply for a PhD position at the Department of Ecology and Genetics at Uppsala University! The Department of Ecology and Genetics (IEG) is part of the Evolutionary Biology Centre (EBC) , a vibrant and internationally recognized hub for evolutionary and ecological research. At IEG, we work at all levels of biological organization (from molecules to ecosystems) and study systems (plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, etc.). The Program for Plant Ecology and Evolution , where this position is located, is home to eight research group focusing on genomics, adaptation and speciation as well on community ecology. Researchers have access to excellent glasshouse and climate-controlled facilities, fully state-of-the-art molecular labs and a high-performance computing cluster (UPPMAX). The Department works closely with the national infrastructure facility SciLifeLab . Our PhD students are part of the Biology PhD School that brings together students from multiple departments and organizes symposia, courses, newsletters, and science meetings for PhD students. We value collegial support and work actively to prepare our PhD students for a continued career in academia or elsewhere. This position offers an exciting opportunity to develop a broad and modern skillset while contributing to new insights in evolutionary genomics. Information on qualifications needed and on how to apply: https://www.uu.se/en/about-uu/join-us/jobs-and-vacancies/job-details?query=888295 For further information about the position and project, please contact: Prof. Sophie Karrenberg, +46768207578, sophie.karrenberg@ebc.uu.se Application by deadline 30 April 2026, UFV-PA 2026/883 (short prolongation may be possible) N�r du har kontakt med oss p� Uppsala universitet med e-post s� inneb�r det att vi behandlar dina personuppgifter. F�r att l�sa mer om hur vi g�r det kan du l�sa h�r: http://www.uu.se/om-uu/dataskydd-personuppgifter/ E-mailing Uppsala University means that we will process your personal data. For more information on how this is performed, please read here: http://www.uu.se/en/about-uu/data-protection-policy Sophie Karrenberg (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** POSTDOC IN EVOLUTIONARY SYSTEMS BIOLOGY The VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology (PSB, www.psb.vib-ugent.be) is a world-leading plant science institute with the mission to unravel the biology of plants and use the insights gained to improve the sustainability of agriculture and the climate change resilience of crops. The Maere lab at PSB (http://www.maerelab.be) is active in the fields of computational biology, evolutionary genomics and plant systems biology. Current research topics include developing a single-plant omics strategy to unravel the molecular wiring of plant phenotypes, studying dosage balance-sensitive genes in plants, and modeling the evolution of transcriptional systems in silico. We are currently looking for a talented postdoc to join our team in the context of a project funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), in which we will model the effects of whole-genome duplication on the evolution of transcriptional systems (https://jobs.vib.be/j/133506/postdoc-in-evolutionary-systems-biology). Project description Whole-genome duplications (WGDs) have been found all over the plant kingdom, as well as e.g. in yeast and animal lineages. WGDs have been associated with increased speciation, adaptation to changed environments, domestication of plants and yeasts and the origin or elaboration of evolutionary novelties. In the context of ongoing climate change, WGDs may be a crucial mechanism to help plants and other organisms adapt. However, the evidence supporting these hypotheses is mostly circumstantial, and the molecular mechanisms by which WGD might influence the adaptability and evolvability of organisms remain understudied. The effects of WGD on the evolution of molecular systems have until now only been studied with highly abstracted models. A more detailed modeling approach, inspired on the engineering-type approaches used in molecular systems biology, is needed to get mechanistic insight into the impact of WGDs on the evolution of molecular systems. In this project, we will use a mechanistic, sequence-based genotype-phenotype mapping model in combination with population-based evolutionary simulations to study the evolution of transcriptional systems after WGD. We will in particular study whether and under which circumstances polyploids exhibit a short-term adaptive advantage compared to their diploid progenitors, and whether and how WGD increases long-term evolvability. Based on our simulation results, we will dissect which molecular and evolutionary mechanisms influence the adaptability and evolvability of diploids and polyploids. Profile - You have a PhD in Computational Biology, Evolutionary Biology, (Bio)Engineering, Mathematics or Physics. - You have expertise in dynamical systems modeling (ODEs) and machine learning and very strong programming skills (Java, Python). - A background in evolutionary genomics research is a strong plus, as is previous experience in the genome duplication research field. - You have an outstanding publication record in peer-reviewed international journals. - You are fluent in English (spoken and written). - You are meticulous, well-organized, responsible and self- critical. - You have a passion for science and you can think outside the box. We offer: - A 4-year postdoc position with an attractive salary. - An exciting work environment in a top research institute. - The opportunity to be part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary and international team. - A challenging fundamental research project. - Ample opportunity to learn new skills. Please apply via the VIB online career portal (https://jobs.vib.be/apply/133506) and include a detailed CV, a letter of motivation and the contact details of two referees. Applications are accepted until the position is filled. For more information, contact Steven Maere (steven.maere@psb.vib-ugent.be). steven.maere@psb.vib-ugent.be (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)