The newly established Institute of Bioengineering is inviting applications for the position of Group Leader in Tree Bioengineering. Institute of Bioengineering was established in 2024 and its research groups are active with various fields of biology. There is a major recent investment in the frames of the DigiBio project forming a biofoundry platform to accelerate bioengineering research.

The new group will be formed in the frames of HORIZON-WIDERA-TALENTS call project ‘ERA Chair in Tree Bioengineering (2025-2030)’. Project, led by ERA Chair Holder Professor Yrjö Eero Helariutta comes with an enabling funding package for the Head of the ERA Chair Research Team and includes salaries for several research personnel.

Work assignments

You, as a Head of ERA Chair Research Team, will lead formation of a research group that focuses on tree biology at a highly visible level. Your work as part of the Institute of Bioengineering would also potentially lead into innovations in tree biotechnology and related sectors. We expect that your research would aim to complement the other activities of the Institute.

• The candidate is responsible for carrying out high-level research in the field of tree biology and biotechnology.
• Applying for research projects, leading research projects, publishing research results in international scientific journals, and presenting research results at international scientific conferences.
• Making research understandable to the general public, as well as to policy-makers.
• Teaching. Supervising bachelor, master and PhD students.
• High-level RDC activities, including leading and directing RDC activities in their specialisation and ensuring necessary resources, including research funding, are available.

Education

PhD or an equivalent qualification.

Work experience

• Professional experience in research.
• Candidate must be able to work independently, take responsibility for research and development, have the ability and experience to manage projects independently.
• Internationally high-level professional research experience comparable to at least two doctoral theses.
• The candidate will be expected to have a track record for applying research funding and willingness to undertake teaching at all levels of higher education.
• Interest to develop research strategy with a good fit with the other activities of the Institute is considered as a merit.

Personal qualities

• Professionalism, dedication, conscientiousness.
• Leadership skills.
• Good teaming skills.

Language skills

Very good spoken and written command of English. According to the Language Act, academic staff with foreign citizenship working in Estonia must have acquired at least B1-level Estonian language skills after five years of work. This requirement will be added to the contract. The Centre for Professional Development offers foreigners and their family members the opportunity to participate in Estonian language courses.

The documents required for applying

1. A letter of application to the Rector.
2. A curriculum vitae (max 4 pages).
3. A list of research publications; this includes 5 Selected Publications and a brief description of their significance and Applicant’s contribution (if necessary, enclosing copies or offprints of more important publications).
4. A copy of a document (including its annexes) which shows the candidate to hold the required qualification (with authorized translation into Estonian, English or Russian if the credential is not in Estonian, English, Russian, Finnish, Swedish, French, Italian, Ukrainian and Belarussian languages). A candidate can be required to submit the original or a certified copy of the document (including its annexes) showing the candidate to hold the required qualification. If the candidate has acquired the higher education in question abroad, he or she may be required to submit an assessment issued by the Academic Recognition Information Centre (the Estonian ENIC/NARIC) of his or her qualification in respect of the qualification requirements for the position.
5. Motivation Letter including main research achievements, and a work plan for the next 4 years (max 6 pages).
6. Other materials considered relevant by the candidate (a list of such materials must be included in the application or annexed to it).

Additional information

Job description, incl. requirements for academic staff.

Salary Rules.

More information about application documents.

We value the diversity of university employees and encourage all people to apply for jobs, regardless of their personal differences or specific features. Creating an inclusive working environment and promoting equal treatment are important to us.

Read more about what we have done to promote diversity.

Company/organization offers

• You will be recruited with a high-level salary in a group leader / associate professor position that is expected to develop into a permanent full professorship position during the TreeBioTEC project.
• A wide range of self-improvement options for personal and professional development and flexible working hours are offered.
• Paid holiday 56 days a year and other benefits.

Benefits/salary details: Remuneration based on UT salary rules.

Contract start date: 01.01.2026

Workload: 1