{"id":3869896,"date":"2026-09-16T12:40:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T09:40:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2026-09-21T10:15:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T07:15:15","slug":"3869896","status":"publish","type":"job_listing","link":"https:\/\/laura.fi\/en\/vacancies\/tampereen-yliopisto\/msca-doctoral-researcher-detective-project-wastewater-virology-and-epidemic-prediction-vaitoskirjatutkija-jatevesivirologia-ja-epidemioiden-ennustaminen\/3869896\/","title":{"rendered":"MSCA Doctoral Researcher, DETECTIVE project (wastewater virology and epidemic prediction) \/ V\u00e4it\u00f6skirjatutkija (j\u00e4tevesivirologia ja epidemioiden ennustaminen)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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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.\u00a0For more information, please visit:\u00a0virusdetective.eu<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

From wastewater to data-driven epidemic prediction\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Background of Project DC9\u00a0<\/strong>
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how public health measures and changes in population behaviour can influence viral circulation. Following the lifting of restrictions, many viruses showed unusual rebounds and altered seasonal patterns, but these effects remain poorly understood across the broader virome. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), combined with viral enrichment and high-throughput sequencing, provides a powerful approach for monitoring community-level virus circulation across a broad range of pathogens. This doctoral project will integrate wastewater virome data with epidemiological and other population-level data to investigate viral dynamics during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is based on a unique longitudinal dataset of monthly wastewater samples collected from Finnish cities. The project will move from wastewater virome monitoring to data-driven models for epidemic prediction and public health action. By combining comprehensive viral surveillance with advanced data analysis and predictive modelling, the research will provide new insights into viral epidemiology and contribute to the development of wastewater-based early-warning systems for future epidemics and pandemics.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Job Description and Research Objectives:<\/strong>\u00a0
At Tampere University, DETECTIVE is looking for a Doctoral Candidate 9 to work on Work Package 2.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As Doctoral Candidate 9, you will:
\u2013 Build a longitudinal wastewater virome surveillance system
\u2013 Apply, qPCR and capture enrichment and high-throughput sequencing to profile all vertebrate-infecting viruses, including human and potential zoonotic pathogens.
\u2013 Assess relationships between wastewater viral loads and clinical indicators, including seasonality, early surges, and viral interference.
\u2013 Create bioinformatic pipelines for sensitive detection and full-genome recovery
\u2013 Develop data-driven models for epidemic prediction, vaccination strategy, and integration of multi-virus WBE into public-health early-warning systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Supervisory Team
The DC will be supervised by:
\u2013 Assoc. Prof Sami Oikarinen
\u2013 Dr. Ana Da Silva Filipe
Additional scientific mentoring and collaboration will be provided by:
\u2013 Assoc. Prof Jaana Jurvansuu from the Tampere University\u00a0<\/p>\n

Planned Secondments
The doctoral candidate will undertake international secondments within the DETECTIVE network, including:
\u2013 UoG-CVR with Dr. Ana Da Silva Filipe
\u2013 QCMD with Dr. Elaine McCulloc<\/p>\n

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><\/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
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

In addition, interdisciplinary network-wide training schools (one week each):\u00a0<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. foundations in virology, bioinformatics and epidemiology;\u00a0<\/li>\n
  2. advanced integration of scientific, diagnostic and public health virology, and<\/li>\n
  3. translational virology and connecting academia, clinical practice and public health for pandemic preparedness.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Also DC will have individually tailored career development plan and personal empowerment program.<\/p>\n

    Tampere University offers a wide range of other staff benefits too, such as occupational health care, access to the campus sport services at a personnel price, 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
    \u00a0
    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.
    \u00a0
    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

    How to apply<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Please note that the applicant must fill in and complete the DETECTIVE application form<\/strong> and provide the following documents:<\/p>\n