PhD positions 2026 (pre-information)

PhD position in single-cell genomics and developmental neurobiology

We are looking for a motivated PhD candidate to join the lab led by Mari Sepp at the Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Estonia. The PhD project is part of a research program focused on decoding autism spectrum disorders through cell-level phenotyping of the developing cerebellum. Candidates with an interest in experimental, computational, or combined research are encouraged to apply.

Contact: [email protected]

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PhD position in Psychiatric Genomics

We invite applications for a PhD position in psychiatric genomics. This PhD project is part of the European Research Council-funded Starting grant project AT-TENSION on identifying causal mechanisms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) features in adults.

Contact: [email protected]

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PhD position in Generative AI for Complex Trait Genomics

We are looking for PhD candidates with backgrounds in computer science, machine learning, statistics, bioinformatics or computational biology to develop generative AI models for complex trait genomics. The position is part of a 5-year project, “An interpretable framework for complex trait genomics using deep generative models,” funded by the Estonian Research Council. The PhD candidate will be supervised by Dr. Burak Yelmen (University of Tartu, Institute of Genomics) and Dr. Flora Jay (Paris-Saclay University, CNRS, Inria, LISN).

Contact: [email protected]

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PhD Position in Computational Metabolomics & Kidney Disease Research

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to join our research group at the University of Tartu to study chronic kidney disease (CKD) using large-scale biobank data.

The PhD project is fully funded and is part of the national research programme “A New Methodology for Predicting the Onset of Chronic Kidney Disease, Its Subtypes, and Disease Trajectories” (PI: Toomas Haller). The position comes with full financial security for the entire PhD.

Contact: [email protected]

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PhD in Evolutionary Genomics

We are seeking a motivated PhD student to join the research group of Michael Dannemann at the Center for Genomic, Evolutionary and Medicine, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu. The PhD project will focus on investigating evolutionary processes - such as natural selection and admixture - that shaped complex variation in human genomes. In addition, the project aims to study how such genetic variants influence phenotypes in present-day populations, leveraging data from the Estonian Biobank and other large-scale biobank cohorts.

Contact: [email protected]

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PhD position in Ancient Metagenomics

We are looking for PhD candidates with a background in palaeogenetics, bioinformatics, molecular ecology or an equivalent qualification to study a diachronic record of ecosystem changes in the Eastern Baltic region through sedimentary DNA records.

The project is part of "Estonian Roots: Centre of Excellence for transdisciplinary studies on ethnogenesis and cultural diversity" led by Prof Kristiina Tambets and includes a close collaboration with Dr Ruairidh Macleod in University of Oxford.

Contact: [email protected]

PhD position in Archaeogenomics

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate with a background in bioinformatics, evolutionary and population genomics to join our team in the Archaeogenomics group (PI Prof. Kristiina Tambets) at the Estonian Biocentre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu.

The project leverages joint analysis of ancient and modern human genomes to study the evolution of complex traits in the Eastern Baltic region over the past 2000 years. The doctoral student will use analytical approaches developed in modern human genomics to study the genetic determinants of complex traits and will adapt and apply these methods to ancient human genomes (Iron Age-Medieval Eastern Baltic). The PhD student will be supervised by Dr. Alena Kushniarevich, Dr Lehti Saag, Dr. Georgi Hudjashov, and Dr. Kristiina Tambets (Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu).

Contact: [email protected]

PhD position in Genomics and Bioinformatics

The Functional Genomics Group at the Institute of Genomics, Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, invites applications for a PhD position in genomics and bioinformatics. The project aims to improve the prediction of common diseases by integrating genetic, multi-omics, and health record data.

The doctoral student will focus on the application, implementation, and further development of statistical, machine learning, and artificial intelligence methods, as well as the analysis of large-scale genomic and health data. The successful candidate will work in an interdisciplinary research environment and participate in international research collaborations.

Contact: [email protected]

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