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Tampere University is a unique, boldly future\u2011oriented and evolving community, and one of Finland\u2019s most multidisciplinary universities. At Tampere University, technology, health and society come together in a distinctive way. Our research groups and projects carry out interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral research that transcends organisational boundaries. Our community is international, with members from more than 80 countries. Read more at https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/en\/tau<\/a>. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n DETECTIVE\u00a0<\/strong>(Data-driven Excellence in Training of Epidemiological, Clinical, Technological and Innovative Virus Experts) is a Horizon Europe Marie Sk\u0142odowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network. The network brings together leading academic, public health, clinical, and industrial partners across Europe to train the next generation of researchers in epidemic intelligence, emerging virus surveillance, and pandemic preparedness. Through interdisciplinary research and international collaboration, DETECTIVE aims to improve the early detection of emerging pathogens, strengthen risk assessment, and support real-time, evidence-based public health decision-making. Read more at virusdetective.eu<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Population dynamics and emerging epidemics\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Background of Project Doctoral Candidate 8\u00a0<\/strong> Job Description and Research Objectives\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n At Tampere University, DETECTIVE is looking for a Doctoral Candidate<\/strong> 8 to work on Work Package 2. As Doctoral Candidate 8, you will: The project will be carried out within a multidisciplinary and international research environment, with opportunities to collaborate with experts in virology, epidemiology, bioinformatics, public health and epidemic modelling across the DETECTIVE network.\u00a0<\/p>\n Supervisory Team Planned Secondments These secondments will provide exposure to both academic and industrial research environments and offer opportunities to develop complementary scientific and transferable skills.\u00a0<\/p>\n Requirements\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n We are looking for a motivated researcher with a relevant Master\u2019s degree in biomedical sciences, bioinformatics, microbiology, virology, immunology, epidemiology, or a related field. Experience with molecular technologies and bioinformatics will be considered an advantage. The successful candidate should be highly motivated to develop expertise in data science, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, and to apply these approaches to biomedical and epidemiological data. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, an interest in self-development, and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary research environment are expected. \u00a0<\/p>\n In accordance with the MSCA mobility rule, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Finland for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding 1 March 2027. Compulsory national service and\/or short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n An applicant must have completed a relevant Master\u2019s degree before the starting date of employment. \u00a0<\/p>\n We offer<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n We offer a three-year Doctoral Candidate position placed at Tampere University within the EU-funded MSCA Doctoral Network DETECTIVE. \u00a0A trial period of six (6) months applies to all our new employees. \u00a0 The salary will be set in accordance with MSCA rates. Target degree is PhD degree from Tampere University, Finland. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 – A multidisciplinary research project combining virology, immunology, epidemiology, population surveillance and predictive modelling. Tampere University offers a wide range of other staff benefits too, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, and several restaurants and caf\u00e9s on campus with staff discounts. \u00a0Read more about working at Tampere University: \u00a0https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/en\/tau\/work-with-us.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Tampere University (TAU), founded in 1925, is an internationally oriented research university with a strong focus on multidisciplinary research and education at the intersection of technology, health, and society. With ten schools, approximately 23,200 students and 4,200 staff members, including around 330 professors, TAU is the second-largest university in Finland and provides a dynamic and international environment for high-quality research and doctoral education. Read more about Tampere University https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/en\/tau\/about-tampere-university<\/a> and work in Tampere https:\/\/workintampere.fi\/.<\/a>\u00a0 How to apply\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Please note that the applicant must fill in and complete the DETECTIVE application form<\/strong> and provide the following documents:<\/p>\n Apply VIA THIS LINK:<\/strong> \u00a0https:\/\/link.webropolsurveys.com\/Participation\/Public\/f904ab62-b327-455c-a747-50bdb3785320?displayId=Fin3736985<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n
Enteroviruses are common human pathogens that cause infections ranging from asymptomatic or mild disease to severe neurological, cardiac and systemic illness. While some enterovirus types circulate continuously in the population, others show epidemic or re-emerging patterns and can cause large outbreaks. The factors determining when an enterovirus type shifts from limited circulation to epidemic spread remain incompletely understood. Population immunity is likely to play an important role in these dynamics. Type-specific neutralizing antibodies induced by previous infections can provide long-lasting protection, while susceptible individuals continuously enter the population. Consequently, immunity against individual enterovirus types changes across age groups, birth cohorts and calendar time, potentially creating population-level immunity gaps that favor epidemic emergence. This doctoral project will investigate how enterovirus circulation and population immunity have changed over time and whether these dynamics can be used to predict epidemic risk. The project will exploit the unique longitudinal resources of the Finnish DIPP study, which has collected biological samples from children since 1994, and integrate these data with healthcare surveillance, wastewater monitoring and historical epidemic data. The ultimate goal is to identify immunological and epidemiological signals associated with epidemic emergence and use them to develop predictive models for enterovirus epidemic risk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013 Characterize type-specific enterovirus immunity across age groups, birth cohorts and calendar periods using longitudinal serum samples and neutralizing antibody analyses.
\u2013 Investigate long-term enterovirus circulation in the background population and integrate these findings with healthcare surveillance and wastewater monitoring.
\u2013 Identify population susceptibility and immunity patterns associated with increased enterovirus circulation and epidemic emergence.
\u2013 Develop and validate predictive models for enterovirus epidemic risk by integrating longitudinal immunological, virological and surveillance data.
\u2013 Work with unique longitudinal sample collections and datasets spanning more than three decades and combine laboratory-based virology and serology with epidemiological data analysis and predictive modelling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The DC will be supervised by:
\u2013 Adj. Professor Sami Oikarinen \u00a0
\u2013 Dr. Jutta Laiho
Additional scientific mentoring and collaboration will be provided by:
\u2013 Prof. Heikki Hy\u00f6ty at Tampere University
\u2013 Dr. Sarah Kempster (MHRA)
\u2013 Prof. Nicholas Grassly (ICL)\u00a0<\/p>\n
The doctoral candidate will undertake international secondments within the DETECTIVE network, including:
\u2013 Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA, UK) for training related to antibody standards
\u2013 Imperial College London (ICL, UK) for training in population immunity and epidemic-risk modelling\u00a0<\/p>\n
The doctoral researcher has the opportunity to work with unique longitudinal biological samples and epidemiological data from the Finnish DIPP study, covering more than three decades of enterovirus circulation. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013 Access to the international DETECTIVE research and training network spanning academic institutions, public health organisations, regulatory bodies and industry.
\u2013 Interdisciplinary network-wide training schools (one week each):
1) Foundations in Virology, Bioinformatics and Epidemiology;
2) Advanced Integration of Scientific, Diagnostic and Public Health Virology
3) Translational Virology and connecting Academia, Clinical Practice and Public Health for Pandemic Preparedness.
\u2013 An individually tailored career development plan and personal empowerment programme.
\u2013 Access to the Campus Sport Services at a personnel price.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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TAU offers excellent research infrastructure for virology, metagenomics, and environmental research. The available facilities include a dedicated metagenomics core facility, an extensive environmental wastewater sample and data bank, Biosafety Level 2 and 3 laboratories, and dedicated clean areas for PCR and cell culture work. Researchers also have access to a broad range of university-wide core facilities and services through the TAU Met-Core Facilities and Services<\/a>. The virology research environment is further supported by a large collection of wild-type enteroviruses isolated from different countries and continents.
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The virus laboratory participates in international quality-control programmes, including QCMD, ensuring high standards in molecular virology and diagnostic research. Extensive high-performance computing resources are available through CSC \u2013 IT Center for Science<\/a>, providing the computational capacity required for large-scale sequencing, bioinformatic, and metagenomic analyses.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n