Academic vacancies

Chair Professor of Food Science and Technology at the career level of Professor

Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Chair of Food Science and Technology

Workload: 1.0

Commencement date: 01.01.2026

Main duties and job responsibilities

• Chair Professor has both academic and administrative duties concurrently.
• Lead R&D activity of the chair of Food Science and Technology, incl. particular disciplines such as: food chemistry, physics, and microbiology, food processing technologies and basic processes, food (by-)products valorisation technologies, product development, sensory assessment, food quality, quality management
• Conduct and direct R&D work of the chair to ensure the level and development of the field
• Successfully initiate and lead research projects
• Conduct, organize and develop studies related to the area for both bachelor's and master's degree students, both in Estonian and English
• Organizing doctoral studies and ensure the development of young academic staff
• Create a motivating and intellectually stimulating environment for the chair
• Actively communicate and collaborate with stakeholders, professional associations, governmental and private enterprises, and general public in the sector of food production
• Perform the tasks specified in the Professor's job description in their field

Required qualifications 

Doctoral degree or equivalent in food science, biotechnology or animal science 

Required experience

• Scientific and administrative (including financial management) competence, cooperation and very good communication skills necessary for managing research and development and educational activities
• International experience, i.e., a postdoctoral fellowship or a continuing education programme abroad or an academic position abroad
• At least 5-years’ work experience as the leader of a research group, expert in their field
• At least 5-years’ teaching experience at the university, incl. supervising MSc & PhD students
• Substantial experience in successful application and implementation of international research, educational and/or applied projects

Language requirements

• Fluent command of English, both spoken and written
• Proficiency in Estonian at the B2 level. An employee who has been employed on the basis of an employment contract for an indefinite period and does not speak Estonian, shall acquire Estonian language proficiency at the B1 level (Council of Europe language proficiency system) within three years, and at the B2 level within five years.

Professor of Animal Welfare at the career level of Assistant Professor

Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences 

Chair of Animal Nutrition (VLST)

Workload: 1,0

Starting date: 01 January 2026

Duties and responsibilities

• To carry out international education, research, and development activities in animal nutrition, with a particular emphasis on animal welfare. Supervising Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD projects. Curriculum development: Animal Welfare Master’s programme, and further development including new and updating of existing courses. Initiating and leading of research projects and seeking research funding. Conducting in-service training for target groups. Serving in professional decision-making bodies and committees of the Institute and the University.
• Major courses
  • VL.0042 Ethology (2 ECTS, in English);
  • VL.0818 Animal Production (6 ECTS in English, cattle production part);
  • VL.1144 World Animal Production (2 ECTS, in English);
  • VL.0651 Animal Welfare and Protection (2 ECTS, in English);
  • VL.1157 Animal Welfare Assessment (2 ECTS, in English).
• Other courses
  • VL.1204 Comparative animal welfare and practical assessment, BOVA course (3 ECTS, in English);
  • International Problem Based Learning (PBL) Experience in Veterinary Medicine (in English).

Required education level

Doctoral degree or an equivalent qualification in the field of Animal Welfare or related fields (Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine)

Required experience

• At least five years of documented research experience in the area of animal welfare or related fields (animal science, veterinary medicine), including successful publishing in peer-reviewed international scientific journals, volume of research comparable to at least two doctoral theses.
• At least three years’ experience as editor reviewer for scientific journals.
• International research experience including
  • at least two years’ experience in research or training at foreign universities or research institutions;
  • joint scientific publications with foreign scientists;
  • participation in international research and/or implementation projects;
  • experience in applying for and leading research and implementation projects (recommended);
  • participation and presentation of research study at international conferences;
  • member of animal welfare/animal behaviour academic associations.
• Teaching experience at university level, including supervision of BSc, MSc and PhD students.
• Very good cooperation, communication, analytical and initiative skills.
• Public speaking skills, Venia legendi.

Required Language skills

• English language proficiency at level C1 – advanced level (understands complex texts; expresses ideas smoothly and precisely; writes structured and meaningful texts)
• Competence in other languages would be positive in attracting and supporting international students and partners.
• An academic staff member with an indefinite employment contract who does not speak Estonian must acquire Estonian language proficiency at the B2 level (CEFR) within two years.

Chair Professor of Energy Application Engineering at the career level of Professor

Institute of Forestry and Engineering, Chair of Energy Application Engineering

Workload: 1.0

Commencement date: 01.01.2026

Duties and responsibilities

Professor is responsible for the overall leading, coordinating and managing both the academic and administrative activities of the Chair of Energy Application Engineering.

• Leading R&D activity of the chair of Energy Application Engineering, incl. particular disciplines such as renewable energy (wind, solar and geothermal energy); energy consumption management; energy storage; thermal energy; modelling and management of energy systems
• Conducting and directing R&D work of the chair
• Successfully initiating and leading research projects
• Managing organization of studies, incl. supervising of MSc & PhD students
• Creating motivating and intellectually stimulating environment for the chair
• Communication and cooperation with employers in the sectors, incl. governmental and private enterprises, professional unions and public
• Performing the duties specified in the professor's job description

Required qualifications

PhD in field of engineering sciences or equivalent

Required experience

• Ability to provide academic leadership; ability to collaborate effectively as a leader and also as part of a team, excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• International experience, i.e., a postdoctoral fellowship or a continuing education programme abroad or an academic position abroad
• At least 5-year work experience as the leader of research group, expert in his field
• Teaching experience at the university, incl. supervising MSc & PhD students
• Substantial experience with successful application and leading of international scientific and/or applied projects

Language requirements

• Fluent English
• Estonian at least on level B2

Chair Professor of Silviculture and Forest Ecology at the career level of Professor

Institute of Forestry and Engineering, Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology

Workload: 1.0

Commencement date: 01.01.2026

Duties and responsibilities

• leading R&D activity of the chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology
• conducting and directing R&D work of the chair
• successfully initiating and leading research projects
• organisation of studies related to the area of responsibility
• supervising of MSc & PhD students
• creating motivating and intellectually stimulating environment for the chair
• communication and cooperation with employers in the forestry sectors, including governmental and private enterprises, professional unions and public
• following of the duties specified in the job description of the professor

Required qualifications

PhD in forestry or equivalent

Required experience

• Scientific and administrative competence and experience necessary for research and development activities, as well as for conducting and managing teaching work
• Experience in scientific research and team management, high level of published speciality publications (Web of Science)
• International work experience, academic work or completion of a postdoctoral fellowship at a highly recognized university in the field of agriculture and forestry
• Experience in successfully applying for and managing research projects, including experience as a principal investigator in a start-up or team grant from the Estonian Research Council in the last three years
• Experience in applying for and as a principal investigator in large-scale international research projects (Horizon Europe projects)
• Research recognized at international level, the volume of which to date is comparable to the volume of at least four doctoral theses
• Experience in the execution of projects of private enterprises in the field of forestry;
• Teaching experience in university forestry curricula, including effective supervision of Master's level students
• Experience of supervising doctoral students and successful supervision (defended thesis);
• Experience of active research and development in forestry or a field close to it, participation in the development and direction of research-based forestry
• Active communication and cooperation in the forestry sector with employers, professional associations, public and private companies and the public
• Experience in popularizing science and disseminating research results
• Good collaboration and communication skills

Language requirements

• Fluent English
• During the first years of occupation, the successful candidate is expected to acquire the Estonian language proficiency at least on level B1.

Professor of Forest Remote Sensing and Geospatial Data Management at the career level of Assistant or Associate Professor (tenure track) or Professor (tenured)

Institute of Forestry and Engineering 

Chair of Forest and Land Management and Wood Processing Technologies (MIMP)

Workload: 1.0

Starting date: 01.01.2026

Duties and responsibilities

• Teaching as a responsible academic person and managing teaching at all three levels of higher education. Organising and conducting teaching in BSc and MSc level (in Estonian, Remote sensing of nature MI.0936, Remote sensing of forestry MI.0097), which include topics related to the competencies of the forestry and forest silviculture and ecology curriculum: terrestrial imaginary analysis, geospatial data analysis, geoinformation systems. It is expected to develop a university level micro-degree to increase competence in society and among professionals on the collection and application of remote sensing methodology into forest management planning.
• Conducting high-level international and national R&D work in the field in forest remote sensing and geospatial data management. 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 forest remote sensing in accordance with the institutional regulations and requirements (Job descriptions of the academic staff members No 1-28/7 from 27.02.2020, updated 23.05.2024 No 1-28/4). Referring to the appendix 2 (1-28/7).
• Professor of Forest remote sensing and geospatial data management focuses 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.

Required education level

Doctoral degree or an equivalent qualification in the field of forestry or remote sensing

Required experience

• High scientific and administrative competence for conducting and leading research and teaching;
• Preferably 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 forest remote sensing, geospatial data analysis or similar fields of research, which minimum quantity equals to two 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 forest remote sensing or similar fields;
• Active R&D work with forestry sector enterprises;
• Active popular scientific work;
• High skills in collaboration and communication;
• High skills and motivation in analytic work;
• Language skills: immediate readiness to teach in Estonian, very good English skills.

Minimum qualifications required at Assistant Professor career level (R2)

• 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 in forest remote sensing or closely related fields, the extent is comparable to at least one and a half doctoral theses;
• Experience of participating in international science and applied research projects;
• Experience in participating in the work of academic and administrative boards and commissions;
• Preferably working group or project management and leading experience.

Minimum qualifications required at Associate Professor career level (R3)

• Internationally recognized research in forest remote sensing or closely related fields, with a body of work comparable to at least two doctoral theses;
• Experience in successful supervising of doctoral students, preferably with a doctoral thesis defended under supervision;
• At least five years of experience as a research group leader in the field;
• Experience in applying for and managing research and applied projects (preferably international);
• Experience in participating in academic and administrative councils and committees.

Minimum qualifications required at Professor career level (R4)

• Teaching experience at the university level, corresponding to at least two years of service as an associate professor;
• If the individual has worked as a professor at the university for at least five years prior to applying for the position of professor, the candidate must have supervised, generally as the principal supervisor, at least one doctoral thesis that was defended within the last five years;
• Internationally recognized research in forest remote sensing or closely related fields, with a body of work comparable to at least three doctoral theses;
• At least five years of experience as a research group leader, with a proven track record in successfully applying for and managing both international and national research and applied projects;
• Experience in leading a research group or organization.

Required Language skills

• English language proficiency at level C1 – advanced level (understands complex texts; expresses ideas smoothly and precisely; writes structured and meaningful texts)
• Estonian language proficiency at level B2 – upper-intermediate level (understands more complex texts; communicates fluently and actively; writes clear texts on various topics)
• 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.

Research Fellow of Forest Management at the career level of Research Fellow

Institute of Forestry and Engineering, Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology

Workload: 1.0

Commencement date: 01.01.2026

Duties and responsibilities

• Research fellow will conduct research in silviculture and forest ecology in accordance with the institutional regulations and requirements (Academic career regulation at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, No 1-28/7 from 27.02.2020) and will publish research papers in international peer-reviewed journals indexed in Web of Science database.
• Conducting high-level scientific research in the field of silviculture and forest ecology, focusing on carbon cycling research in Estonian forest ecosystems and analysing the effect of different forest management methods (felling, drainage) on carbon fluxes
• Teaching students of bachelor and master degree level (Game biology and management. Theory and field practice) in Estonian language

Required qualifications

PhD or an equivalent degree in forestry or in a related field

Required experience

• Previous in-depth and at least 5-year experience in forest ecosystem carbon cycling research, including C budgeting. Evaluation the effect of various management methods on forest C cycling. Active and successful research, publishing research papers in international peer-reviewed journals indexed in Web of Science database
• MS Office, statistical analysis
• Ability to cooperate, collaborate and communicate very well.
• Experience in teaching at university level
• Supervising of bachelor and master thesis in forestry, co-supervising of doctoral thesis in forestry

Language requirements

• Estonian
• English

Lecturer in Electronics and Embedded Systems at the career level of Senior Lecturer

Institute of Forestry and Engineering 

Chair of Biosystems Engineering (MIBT)

Workload: 1,0

Starting date: 01 January 2026

Duties and responsibilities

• Teaching and methodological work in the field of electronics and embedded systems within the curricula of the Institute of Forestry and Engineering. Participation in laboratory work, lectures, and research within the Chair of Bioeconomy Technologies
• Major courses: Electric circuits (6 EAP), Electronics (9 EAP), Electrcal measurements and embedded systems (6 EAP), Control of electric drives (5 EAP).
• Up to 70% of the total workload comprises teaching at one or more levels of higher education, supervising bachelor’s and master’s students, preparing teaching materials and methodological resources, and improving the skills and knowledge necessary for teaching and research.
• At least 20% of the total workload involves research and development activities, such as conducting research at the international level amounting to at least one-third of a doctoral thesis over the last five years, participating in scientific conferences and seminars, and contributing to the work of a measurement laboratory.
• The remaining workload includes organizational and administrative tasks, including societal activities such as participating in university committees, as well as external committees and organizations, inventory procedures, and promoting the field/profession/discipline.

Required education level

Doctoral degree or an equivalent qualification in the field of electronics

Required experience

• Teaching experience in higher education and experience of supervising students.
• Knowledge of teaching aids and teaching methodologies.
• Experience in conducting courses and teaching.
• Knowledge of laboratory methods related to the subjects taught.
• Ability to use and teach both older and modern laboratory equipment related to electronics and embedded systems.
• Good to very good computer skills (incl. LabView, Matlab, Python etc).

Required Language skills

• English language proficiency at level C1 – advanced level (understands complex texts; expresses ideas smoothly and precisely; writes structured and meaningful texts)
• Estonian language proficiency at level C2 – proficient level (understands everything effortlessly; expresses ideas with nuance; writes complex, in-depth texts on any topic)

Lecturer of Water Supply and Sewerage at the career level of Lecturer

Institute of Forestry and Engineering 

Chair of Rural Building and Water Management (MIMV)

Workload: 1.0

Starting date: 01 January 2026

Duties and responsibilities

• Lecturing, water supply and sewerage (Buliding’s, External), Roads, Ponds and reservoirs

Required education level

Doctoral degree or an equivalent qualification in the field of Water supply and sewerage

Required experience

• Teaching experience in water supply and sewerage design (internal networks, external networks), general road course
• Research experience, including published articles in the field of water supply and sewerage

Required Language skills

• English language proficiency at level C1 – advanced level (understands complex texts; expresses ideas smoothly and precisely; writes structured and meaningful texts)
• Estonian language proficiency at level C2 – proficient level (understands everything effortlessly; expresses ideas with nuance; writes complex, in-depth texts on any topic)
• 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.

Professor of Hydrobiology at the career level of Associate Professor

Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences 

Chair of Hydrobiology and Fisheries (PKKH)

Workload: 1.0

Starting date: 01.01.2026

Duties and responsibilities

• Research and development at an international level in the field of aquatic ecology, focusing specifically on the functioning of the microbial loop under various conditions and identifying the organisms involved.
• Teaching and research on the relationships between microbial loop organisms (heterotrophic flagellates, ciliates, amoebae) and higher trophic levels, including fish juveniles.
• International-level scientific research on changes in the species composition of protozoa, multicellular zooplankton, and fish larvae in water bodies, the feeding of metazooplankton and fish larvae on microbial loop organisms, and the interrelationships between these processes.
• Conducting research and developmental activities at an international level (in various climate zones) to understand the behaviour of aquatic food chains under different environmental conditions and their impact on the productivity of water bodies.
• Teaching in Estonian on courses such as Fish Diet (3 ECT) and Applied Hydrobiology (18 ECT).
• Supervising students and faculty.

Up to 40% of the total workload involves teaching at one or more levels of higher education, supervising bachelor's, master's, and doctoral students, preparing teaching materials and methodological resources, supervising staff involved in teaching subjects in the current field, and enhancing the skills and knowledge necessary for teaching and research.

At least 40% of the total workload involves research and development at an international level (equivalent to at least two doctoral theses over the past five years), supervising the research of younger academic researchers, applying for and implementing research projects, developing cooperation with researchers from other universities and research institutions, disseminating research results, and seeking application opportunities in collaboration with the public and private sectors, as well as enhancing the skills and knowledge necessary for research.

The remaining work time is divided between organizational and administrative tasks, including participating in the work of the university's collegial decision-making bodies and committees, participating in the work of external academic and administrative bodies and committees, actively providing advice related to their field, popularizing their field, and organizing scientific conferences and seminars.

Required education level

Doctoral degree or an equivalent qualification in the field of Hydrobiology

Required experience

• Teaching experience in higher education, including supervising master's and doctoral theses.
• Knowledge of teaching materials and methodologies.
• Recognized research at an international level in the relevant or closely related field, with a volume comparable to at least two doctoral theses.
• Experience participating in international research and applied projects.

Required Language skills

• English language proficiency at level C1 – advanced level (understands complex texts; expresses ideas smoothly and precisely; writes structured and meaningful texts)
• Estonian language proficiency at level B2 – upper-intermediate level (understands more complex texts; communicates fluently and actively; writes clear texts on various topics)
• 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.

Professor in Molecular Phytopathology (with specialization in crops) at the career level of Associate Professor

Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences 

Chair of Plant Health (PKTE)

Workload: 1.0

Starting date: 01.01.2026

Duties and responsibilities

• Teaching phytopathology in subjects
  • 'Plant pests and their control' – bachelor's level
  • 'Phytopathology' – MSc and PhD level
• Supervising of bachelor's, master's and doctoral theses;
• Developing of phytopathology terminology in Estonian;
• Successful application and management of research and development projects;
• Publishing on an international level;
• Developing of international cooperation;
• Developing cooperation with Estonian stakeholders (researchers from other institutions, agricultural sector and government institutions);
• Dissemination of information and research results in the field of study in Estonian society through media and public presentations;

Required education level

Doctoral degree or an equivalent qualification in the field of preferably in natural sciences

Required experience

• Previous professional work experience, including organizing and conducting studies for both bachelor's and master's level students and supervising students and employees;
• Research experience on international level;
• Previous experience of managing research and development at an international level;
• Scientific publications and projects corresponding to the professor's qualifications;
• Cooperation and communication skills, including with agricultural stakeholders;
• Ability to analyze and take initiative.

Required Language skills

• English language proficiency at level C1 – advanced level (understands complex texts; expresses ideas smoothly and precisely; writes structured and meaningful texts)
• Estonian language proficiency at level B2 – upper-intermediate level (understands more complex texts; communicates fluently and actively; writes clear texts on various topics)
• 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.