Three PhD positions are currently available at the Estonian Agricultural University

1. In the field of Agricultural Sciences: „Studies of geneticdiversity in some artificially reproduced fish species in the BalticSea area: implications for conservation and sustainable management".

2. In the field of Veterinary Medicine: "Endocrinologicaland immunological changes during the postpartum period and theirassociation with establishment of new pregnancy, metabolic status andclinical diseases in Estonian high producing dairy cows".

3. In the field of Environmental Sciences: "Functional groups of plants in species rich meadow communities: differences in reproductive traits".

Time frame of the positions: 4 years

Applicants: should have an MSc degree or equivelent.

Closing date for applications: July 4, 2005.

Salary: PhD state scholarship covers ca 400 EUR per month (this corresponds to  
the mean salary and living standard in Estonia). Additional salary is available through  
the projects.

Documents required for application:
(1) Application letter
(2) A short description of the planned project and studies. This will be compiled  
together with the supervisor (please see the contacts of the supervisors below)
(3) Copy of the diploma of MSc or equivelent  
(4) Academic CV, incl. list of scientific publications
(5) Copy of passport

Please send the documents and ask for additional information:
Dr. Pille Urbas  
Co-ordinator of PhD studies  
Estonian Agricultural University  
Kreutzwaldi 64  
Tartu 51014  
Estonia
E-Mail: Pille.Urbas@eau.ee
Phone: ++372 731 3011
Fax: ++372 742 2862

Description of the projects:

1. „Studies of genetic diversity in some artificially reproduced fish species in  
the Baltic Sea area: implications for conservation and sustainable  
management"

A PhD-position is available within the research area Conservation Genetics. The  
project will focus on genetic structure and diversity of several endangered (migratory  
and resident brown trout, European grayling) or economically important (pikeperch,  
perch) fish species within and among different catchments in the Baltic Sea area  
which are artificially reproduced for stocking purposes. The aim is to reveal the  
appropriate units for sustainable management and conservation.

We seek a highly motivated individual with good communication abilities and with  
capabilities to work independently and in team with others. Candidates should  
possess an MSc degree in evolutionary genetics, population genetics, molecular  
biology, fish biology or a related field, and should have a strong interest in using  
molecular methods to study key questions in conservation genetics and evolution.

The project will be supervised by Dr. Riho Gross, Department of Aquaculture,  
Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Estonian Agricultural University.  
For additional information, please contact Dr. Riho Gross at rgross@eau.ee. (Phone:  
++ 372 731 3489).

2. "Endocrinological and immunological changes during the postpartum  
period and their association with establishment of new pregnancy, metabolic  
status and clinical diseases in Estonian high producing dairy cows"

Scientific background of the project:
Average annual milk production has been increased in our dairy herds during last  
years and is 5800 kg/year (2004). However, we have already herds, where  
production of 8000 kg and more have already been achieved. Such production  
categories herds are planned to be involve to the present research project.  
Increasingly, dairy producers and researchers question the economic justification of  
an increased production for high-producing cows. Several studies have  
demonstrated that high-producing cows are at increased risk of infectious diseases  
and decreased reproductive performance. Improvement of milk production  
consequently increased the incidence of clinical mastitis and metritis.
 
According to official animal records the reasons for culling cows in Estonian herds 
are foremost fertility problems (20%), especially establishment of new pregnancy 
during 90 days postpartum (PP) and mastitis (18%). The problem is late start of 
ovarian function PP. It will prolong the days open period and cause the economic 
loss for the farmers. At the present project focus will be set to the resumption of 
postpartum ovarian function and more profound studies will be made to find reasons 
which lead to its prolongation. More attention will be paid to the metabolic processes 
of the high producing cow and to the problems related with negative energy balance 
(NEB). How those factors can influence postpartum performance and diseases 
incidence (especially mastitis and metritis). Endocrinological investigations will be 
also involved (prostaglandin F2á (PGF2á), Progesterone (P4), Luteinizing hormone 
(LH)). Postpartum uterine bacteriological investigations will be also done to see how 
the changes in metabolic status can influence it.
 
Objectives of the study:
To get an overview about endocrinological and immunological changes in Estonian 
high producing dairy cows. To explore possible pathophysiological mechanisms that 
could explain direct or indirect effects of those changes on fertility performance and 
clinical diseases (mastitis, metritis). To expand our understanding about the 
postpartum metabolic processes. To achieve this objectives particular aims will be 
set:
 
1. Using endocrine investigations (PGF2a, P4, LH) and uterine bacteriology to 
determine postpartum, uterine status and resumption of ovarian function  during first
10 weeks PP.

2. To performe investigations of polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotactic function, to
clarifie is there a immune function impairement on those cows who had prolonged NEB.

3. To performe in all cows, involved into the experiment, detection ofsome parameters (BCS, IGF, ketone bodies, urea), which will help todescribe metabolic status, and possible influence of metabolic changesto the uterine status and resumption of ovarian activity.

The project will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Kalle Kask, Department ofTherapy, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, EstonianAgricultural University. For additional information, please contactProf. Dr. Kalle Kask at Kalle.Kask@eau.ee. (Phone: ++ 372 731 3217).

3. "Functional groups of plants in species rich meadow communities: 
differences in reproductive traits"

The project concentrates on plant traits that relate to reproduction and dispersal of 
the species as these traits determine immigration of species to restored areas and 
dynamics of species richness. The aim of the project is to determine the role of 
different traits of reproduction and propagation of species in dynamics of species-rich 
plant communities. The PhD student will use data from series of long-term 
observations and experiments on Estonian wooded meadows and also vegetation 
descriptions from parts of wooded meadows with different successional status and 
compare the values of traits related to dispersal, reproduction, growth and vegetative 
propagation between different reaction groups that can be distinguished during 
abandonment and restoration of wooded meadows.

Functional traits of plants determine their reaction to changes in environment. The 
most important changes in species-rich meadows are related to cessation or restart 
of management. The species which react in a similar way to disturbance (reaction 
groups) share similar functional traits. Wooded meadows of Estonia provide a good 
opportunity to test for the differences between reaction groups in functional traits and 
for the role of functional traits in species coexistence. Considering the high 
conservation value of wooded meadows and frequent restoration events, it is 
important to clarify the mechanisms of immigration and persistence of species in 
dynamics of these communities and to explain the dependence of these processes 
on traits of reproduction and propagation.

A successful candidate should possess an MSc degree in environmental sciences, 
biology, ecology or a related field. The project will be supervised by Dr. Marek 
Sammul, Department of Botany, Institute of Zoology and Botany, Estonian 
Agricultural University. For additional information, please contact Dr. Marek Sammul 
at marek@zbi.ee. (Phone: ++ 372 742 8619).

Source: Estonian Agricultural University