Academic vacancies

Professor of Animal Metabolism, Tenure Track Position at the Assistant Professor Level (1.0)

Commencement date: 01.01.2027

Main duties and job responsibilities

• the Professor of Animal Metabolism is responsible for carrying out international teaching, research, and development activities in the field of animal metabolism. The duties include supervision of student research at Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral levels; 
• continuous development and updating of courses related to animal nutrition, including preparation of teaching materials and methodological resources; 
• initiation, acquisition of funding for, management and successful implementation of research projects, including international projects;
• development of cooperation with other universities and research institutions; 
• continuous professional development related to teaching, research and development activities; 
• publication, dissemination and application of research results in cooperation with public and private sector partners; 
• promotion of the discipline; organisation of seminars and conferences; 
• consultancy for enterprises related to the field; and participation in internal and external decision-making bodies and committees of the institute and the university.

Major courses

VL.0193 Animal Nutrition (5 ECTS, Estonian) / Animal Nutrition (5 ECTS, English) lectures and seminars for students of veterinary medicine.

Other courses

• VL.1296 Animal physiology II (4 EAP, Estonian), digestive physiology module for students of veterinary medicine;
• VL.1335 Nutrition physiology and metabolism (5 EAP, Estonian), metabolism module;
• VL.0656 Animal Nutrition (7 EAP, Estonian), lectures and seminars for students of animal science, if required;
• VL.0797 Basics of animal nutrition (6 EAP, Estonian) lectures and seminars for students of production and marketing of agricultural products, if required;
• VL.0193 Animal Nutrition (5 ECTS, English) practical classes for students of veterinary medicine, if required.

Workload: 1.0; teaching – up to 40%; research – at least 50%; other duties (in-service training, counselling, administrative tasks, etc.) – up to 10%.

Salary: starting from € 2,520 per month (gross)

Required qualifications 

A doctoral degree in animal metabolism or an equivalent qualification in the field of animal nutrition.

Required knowledge and skills

• At least five years of documented scientific research experience in animal nutrition, preferably in the field of animal metabolism, including successful publication in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals, with a research output comparable to at least two doctoral dissertations;
• Experience in applying omics-based methods in the study of metabolism of farm animals;
• International research experience, preferably including at least two years of postdoctoral research;
• Experience as a reviewer for scientific journals;
• Proven experience in successful application for and management of research projects and contracts;
• Presentations at international scientific conferences;
• At least five years of documented teaching experience at university level;
• Supervision of Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral students;
• Public speaking skills, Venia legendi;
• Strong cooperation, communication, analytical and initiative skills;
• Excellent command of English, both spoken and written. Applicants from outside Estonia are expected to acquire Estonian language proficiency at a minimum level of B2 within the first two years of employment.

Professor of Land Management and Geodesy (tenure) (1,0)

Institute of Forestry and Engineering 

Chair of Land Management and Geodesy (MIGE)

Administrative leader: Director of Institute of Forestry and Engineering

Workload: 1.0

Salary: starting from € 2,900 per month (gross)

Starting date: 01.01.2027

Minimum qualification

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent qualification;
• Scientific and administrative competence, as well as extensive experience required for conducting and leading research and teaching activities;
• Experience in conducting scientific research and leading research groups, along with high-level academic publications in the field;
• International research visibility (including citation record and h-index in international databases);
• Experience in successfully applying for and managing research projects, including experience in leading competitive research grants (e.g. Estonian Research Council grants);
• Internationally recognised research in the field of land management or geodesy, or in closely related field, with a volume comparable to at least four doctoral theses;
• Systematic understanding of the core principles of land management or geodesy and their application in the context of spatial data and land use;
• Extensive teaching experience at the university level, including successful supervision of master’s students;
• Experience in supervising doctoral students and successful supervision outcomes;
• Active research and development activities in land management or geodesy or in closely related fields, taking into account the interrelations between these fields and the role of spatial data and spatial analysis;
• Willingness to contribute to a research-based approach to land use, spatial data, and spatial development, grounded in the disciplinary framework of land management and geodesy, and to support the integrated development of these fields;
• Experience in science communication and dissemination;
• Good cooperation and communication skills;
• Proficiency in Estonian and English.

Purpose of the position: The purpose of the position is to conduct high-level research and development activities within the fields covered by the Chair of Land Management and Geodesy; to deliver and develop teaching in the relevant field; to supervise students at master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral levels as well as academic staff; and to contribute to the development of the Chair and the Institute, including the performance of organisational and administrative duties in accordance with the academic career regulations of the Estonian University of Life Sciences (Senate Regulation No 1-28/7 of 27 February 2020, amended by Regulation No. 1-28/1 of 18 February 2021; see also Appendix 2).

Assistant Professor or Associate Professor of Wood Valorization and Processing Technologies (tenure track)

Institute of Forestry and Engineering 

Chair of Forest Management and Wood Processing Technologies (MIMP)

Administrative leader: Director of Institute of Forestry and Engineering

Workload: 1.0

Salary: starting from € 2,520 per month (gross) for Assistant Professor, starting from € 2,880 per month (gross) for Associate Professor

Starting date: 01.01.2027

Minimum qualification:

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent qualification;
• High scientific and administrative competence for conducting and leading research and teaching;
• Preferably doctoral or post-doctoral fellow qualification in foreign university or R&D institution and joint scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals (indexed in Web of Science database) with international partners;
• Internationally acknowledged scientific work in wood valorization and processing technologies or similar fields of research, which minimum quantity equals to one PhD thesis requirement;
• Teaching experience in university or R&D institution for Bachelor and Master level and successfully supervised thesis (BSc and MSc); 
• Experience to supervise PhD students; 
• Active and successful R&D work in wood valorization and processing technologies or in similar fields;
• Active cooperation with forestry sector enterprises and companies;
• Active popular scientific work;
• High skills in collaboration and communication;
• High skills and motivation in analytic work;
• High language skills in Estonian and English.

Minimum qualifications required at Assistant Professor career level:

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent qualification;
• Scientific research experience as a post-doctoral fellow at a foreign university, R&D institution as a researcher, etc., preferably not in the same country where the doctoral degree was obtained;
• Internationally recognized research work in the field of Wood Valorization and Processing Technologies or related field, the size is comparable to at least one doctoral theses;
• Teaching and supervisory experience in the university on the forestry or wood valorization study programmes across different levels of higher education;
• Experience of participating in international science and applied research projects; 
• Experience in participating in the work of academic and administrative boards and commissions.

Minimum qualifications required at Associate Professor career level:

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent qualification;
• Internationally recognised research in the field of Wood Valorization and Processing Technologies, or a related field, the size is comparable to at least two doctoral theses;
• Teaching and supervisory experience in the university on the forestry or wood valorization study programmes across different levels of higher education;
• Experience in supervising doctoral students and successful supervision outcomes;
• Completed at least 6  EAP credits of professional development in teaching and supervision;
• At least five years of work experience as a team or project leader in the relevant field;
• Experience in applying and managing research and applied projects (preferably international);
• Workgroup or project management and leading experience;
• Experience of participating in academic and administrative boards and committees.

Main duties and responsibilities: Conducting high-level international and national R&D work in the field of wood valorization and processing technologies, organising and conducting teaching in BSc and MSc level (acting as a study programme supervisor for the Wood valorization master program). Supervising BSc, MSc, PhD and post-doctoral students. Actively applying research projects and publishing peer reviewed papers in Web of Science indexed database. Candidate will conduct research in wood valorization in accordance with the institutional regulations and requirements (Job descriptions of the academic staff members No 1-28/7 from 27.02.2020, updated 27.03.2026 No 1-28/2). Referring to the appendix 2. Associate Professor of Wood Valorization and Processing Technologies focus on the development of internationally competitive work group, publishing R&D work in high level international journals, actively applying of research projects and developing local and international collaboration with R&D institutions. 

Research Fellow in Ecophysiology at the career level of Senior Research Fellow (1,0)

Institute of Forestry and Engineering 

Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology (MIME)

Workload: 1.0

Salary: starting from € 2,400 per month (gross)

Starting date: 01.01.2027

Duties and responsibilities

The position involves conducting research in the fields of silviculture and forest ecology, primarily focusing on forest and tree physiological studies in various forest ecosystems in Estonia, as well as investigating the effects of different forest management practices from an ecophysiological perspective. The employee's responsibilities include carrying out physiological research on forests and trees in different forest ecosystems, analyzing data, developing models, and publishing research results. The employee is expected to lead and apply for research projects and to supervise doctoral students. The position encompasses research and development activities, as well as teaching and curriculum development, in accordance with the job description for a Senior Research Fellow (R3) as specified in Annex 4 of the Academic Career Framework of the Estonian University of Life Sciences (Senate Regulation No. 1-28/2 of 27 March 2026).

• Conducting research in ecophysiology and publishing research results at the international level (in journals indexed in the Web of Science database).
• Applying for, leading, and participating in research and development projects.
• Promoting the research field and disseminating research findings to society.
• Participating in academic decision-making bodies and professional expert committees.
• Delivering teaching (in English) to international students, including lectures and practical classes on the adaptation of forest ecosystems to climate change, with a focus on ecophysiology.
• Supervising doctoral dissertations (PhD students).

Required education level

Doctoral degree or an equivalent qualification in the field of forestry or tree physiology.

Required experience

• Previous experience in conducting forest and tree physiological research, or research in a closely related field, and publishing the results
• Completion of postdoctor (postdoctoral research experience)
• An active and successful research record, including publications in international peer-reviewed scientific journals indexed in the Web of Science database
• Experience in leading research projects, preferably including experience as the principal investigator of an Estonian Research Council (ETAG) team grant
• Experience conducting research in Nordic, or boreal forest ecosystems
• Demonstrated experience in field-based forest experiments and development of environmental monitoring systems using automated data acquisition and microcontroller-based systems (e.g., Arduino, ESP32, or similar platforms)
• Experience developing or adapting custom instrumentation and sensor systems for field research applications.
• Experience integrating physiological, biochemical, environmental, and other multi-omics data in interdisciplinary research
• Active participation in international scientific networks, research consortia, or European collaborative initiatives (e.g., COST Actions)
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a team
• Proficiency in the use of statistical software
• Experience in supervising doctoral students
• Willingness to collaborate, accuracy, professionalism, openness.

Required Language skills

• English language proficiency at level B2 – upper-intermediate level (understands more complex texts; communicates fluently and actively; writes clear texts on various topics)
• Estonian language proficiency at level B1 – intermediate level (understands main information about work and free time; communicates in everyday situations; writes simple personal texts)
• An academic staff member with an indefinite employment contract who does not speak Estonian must acquire Estonian language proficiency at the B1 level (CEFR) within three years and at the B2 level within five years.

Lecturer in Mobile Machinery Engineering at the career level of Lecturer (1,0)

Institute of Forestry and Engineering

Chair of Biosystems Engineering (MIBT)

Workload: 1.0

Salary: starting from € 2,100 per month (gross)

Commencement date: 01.01.2027

Duties and responsibilities

The main duties of the position include teaching the courses Mobile Machinery, Reverse Engineering, and Simulations (FEM and CFD), as well as carrying out teaching and development activities in the fields of mobile machinery and engineering. Within the scope of research, the responsibilities include the preparation, management, and implementation of research projects, the writing of scientific publications, and the advancement of research and development activities in this field at the Estonian University of Life Sciences. The position is closely related to the activities of the Engine Test Laboratory and includes coordinating and developing the laboratory, as well as using it for teaching and research purposes.

Required qualifications

Doctoral degree or an equivalent qualification in the field of Engineering Sciences.

Required experience

• Previous research experience in the field of mobile machinery. 
• Previous teaching experience in the field of mobile machinery. 
• Previous experience in conducting research projects, preferably in fields related to engineering and mobile machinery.
• Previous experience in supervising theses.

Required Language skills

• English language proficiency at level B2 – upper-intermediate level (understands more complex texts; communicates fluently and actively; writes clear texts on various topics)
• Estonian language proficiency at level C2 – proficient level (understands everything effortlessly; expresses ideas with nuance; writes complex, in-depth texts on any topic).

Professor of Plant Health (Head of Chair) at the Professor Career Level (1.0)

Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences 

Chair of Plant Health (PKTE)

Workload: 1.0

Salary: starting from € 2,900 per month (gross)

Starting date: 1 January 2027

Duties and responsibilities

• Leading the Chair responsible for the field of Plant Health, whose activities include: development of integrated plant protection technologies; development of strategies and criteria for the control of plant pests (plant diseases and insect pests); insect ecotoxicology; phytopathology; risk assessment; development of innovative, low-risk plant protection products; use of ecosystem services in pest management and pollination; eco-chemical communication; maintenance of collections of plant pests and beneficial organisms, and conducting research based on these collections; interactions among plants, insects, plant pathogens, and microorganisms in the context of integrated pest management and sustainable agriculture. 
• Leading and directing the Chair’s research and development activities to ensure excellence and continuous advancement in the field; 
• Leading, developing, and organizing teaching in the field of Plant Health; 
• Successfully applying for and managing research projects; 
• Organizing doctoral studies and ensuring the development of future academic staff and researchers; 
• Creating a motivating and inspiring working environment within the Chair; 
• Maintaining close communication and cooperation with horticultural and agricultural producers, beekeepers, other stakeholders in the agricultural sector, professional associations, ministries, public and private sector organizations, and the wider public; 
• Performing the duties specified in the job description of a professor within the respective field.

Required education level

Doctoral degree (PhD) or an equivalent qualification in a relevant field. 

Required experience

• Scientific and administrative competence required for leading research, development, and educational activities, as well as strong collaboration and communication skills; 
• International experience (research collaboration, conferences, professional development, etc.); 
• Experience as the head of a research group in the relevant field; 
• At least five years of teaching experience at a university, including successful supervision of Master’s and doctoral students; 
• Experience in applying for and managing international research and applied research projects. 

Required language skills

• English: C1 level (advanced user) – able to understand complex texts, express ideas fluently and precisely, and write well-structured and substantive texts. 
• Estonian: C2 level (proficient user) demonstrates near-native command of the language, including the ability to comprehend highly complex texts and express ideas accurately, fluently, and with nuance in both spoken and written communication on any topic. 
• An employee employed under an open-ended employment contract who does not speak Estonian must acquire Estonian language proficiency at level B1 within three years and level B2 within five years according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). 

Professor of Horticultural Product Valorisation at the Associate Professor Career Level (1.0)

Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences 

Chair of Horticulture (PKAN)

Workload: 1.0

Salary: starting from € 2,400 per month (gross)

Starting date: 01.01.2027

Duties and responsibilities

The position involves teaching, research and development activities in accordance with Annex 2 of the Academic Career Regulations of the Estonian University of Life Sciences (Regulation No. 1-28/7 of the EMU Senate, adopted on 27 February 2020 and amended by Regulation No. 1-28/2 of the EMU Senate on 27 March 2026) in the field of horticultural product processing and valorisation. The focus is on the application of modern processing technologies for the valorisation of horticultural products and by-products generated during their production into food and non-food products.

Teaching duties include teaching in Estonian within the Bachelor's and Master's programmes in Horticulture, providing academic leadership across different levels of higher education, and developing and updating courses in the field. The position also involves developing the micro-credential programme “Preservation, Processing and Valorisation of Horticultural Products” in cooperation with the Chair of Horticulture and the Head of the Master's Programme in Horticulture. Responsibilities further include supervising bachelor's, master's and doctoral students.

Research and development duties include initiating research activities; applying for and conducting research and applied research projects at both national and international levels; participating in international scientific networks; publishing research results in internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals; and disseminating research findings to professional audiences in both Estonian and English. The position also requires active cooperation with industry partners, professional associations and public authorities, as well as contributing to advisory and decision-making bodies within the university and the field.

Required education level

Doctoral degree or an equivalent qualification in agriculture or food science.

Required experience

• Experience in teaching at different levels of higher education;
• Experience in supervising Master's students and at least one successfully defended doctoral student;
• A proven track record in applying for and managing research projects;
• Internationally recognised research achievements in horticulture, processing and valorisation of plant-based food raw materials, or a closely related field, with an overall scientific output comparable to at least two doctoral dissertations;
• A consistent record of publishing research results in internationally recognised peer-reviewed scientific journals;
• Experience in presenting research findings at international scientific conferences and professional networks;
• Experience in developing cooperation with other research institutions, public sector organisations, companies and professional associations.

Required language skills

• Immediate readiness to teach in Estonian, very good English skills.