The Molecular Ecology and Health (MECOH) Lab at Ehime University, Japan (PI: Prof. Kozo Watanabe), is accepting applications for a doctoral position in the field of Molecular Ecology in Rivers. The position includes full financial support.

Description of the position:
The successful candidate will conduct field surveys using riverine organisms (macroinvertebrates, bacteria, and fish) and environmental DNA (eDNA). The main focus will be on the bioinformatics analysis of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data, such as metabarcoding, metagenomics, ddRADseq, and transcriptomics, to understand biodiversity (genetic and species diversity) and evolutionary patterns. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to a recently funded project entitled “Optimization of River Habitat Structure Based on Functional Diversity of Aquatic Insect Communities.” The aim of this research is to propose a molecular biological approach to evaluate the various functions of river ecosystems, such as organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling, which have lost habitat diversity (e.g., rapids, pools, backwaters) due to human influence and are no longer able to demonstrate these functions. If the selected candidate contributes to the above-mentioned project, he/she will be able to propose and carry out other research projects, such as NGS-based analysis of fish and bacteria at community and population level, if he/she wishes.
 
Application deadline and start date of the position:

• Application deadline: 30 September, 2025.
• Start date of the position: Between January 2026 – August 2026 (flexible and late start also negotiable)
• This is a re-advertised call for applications, issued after a suitable candidate was not identified in the initial call held between March 18 and April 30, 2025 (https://www.mecohlab.com/news/mecoh-phd-20250318). If you applied for Research Area 1: Molecular Ecology in Rivers during the previous call, please do not reapply. However, applicants to Research Area 2: ARGs in the Water Environment from the earlier call who remain highly interested are welcome to apply. 

 
Eligibility:

• Master's degree in related fields (e.g., biology, environmental science, ecology, bioinformatics) is required before the start date of the said position (not by the time of application).
• Born on April 2, 1992, or later.
• We welcome applicants of all nationalities.

 
Contract details:

• Duration of contract: Maximum of 4 years and 6 months.
• Full financial support (stipend, tuition, and round-trip ticket) is guaranteed by MECOH’s research projects, and can also be complemented by additional support from scholarships from private foundations in Japan.

 
Desired Qualifications (Not all must be met)

• Experience in molecular biological analysis such as DNA extraction and PCR
• Experience in population genetics analysis and phylogenetic analysis
• Experience in field surveys of environmental and ecological systems
• Experience in bioinformatics analysis of genetic data
• Individuals who wish to pursue an international career in academia after completing their PhD (including during the programme)
• Individuals with the ability and strong determination to overcome challenges that may hinder the achievement of self-set goals
• Can work independently
• Excellent English communication skills and can work harmoniously with a multidisciplinary team. 

Application and selection processes:
Applicants are encouraged to send the following files to Prof. Kozo Watanabe by email ([email protected]). ​In the "Subject" field, please write: “MECOH PhD Application”.

1. CV (any format). You can use any format you like, but please be sure to include your photo and your date of birth.
2. An application letter, limited to 3 pages, that explains the applicant’s past research activities and motivation for the PhD project. At the end of your application letter, please include the names, affiliations, and contact details of two references that Professor Watanabe can contact for an online meeting.
3. A PDF of any published papers if the applicant has any reviewed journal publications.
4. Applicants will receive an acknowledgement email from Prof. Watanabe within one week from the application date (not immediate response). If the applicants don't receive any reply, please contact Prof. Watanabe again for your confirmation.
5. Document screening will begin after the deadline.
6. Shortlisted applicants will be requested for online interview (PPT based presentation and QA). Details will be provided via email.
7. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified by Prof Watanabe via email.

If you have any questions regarding the said position, please contact the email address above.

A new Malaysian PhD candidate has arrived at MEcoH! Ahmad Irfan bin Abdul Razak, specializes in entomology, focusing on insect diversity, distribution, systematics, phylogeny, morphometrics, and vector surveillance. Irfan holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Animal Resource Science and Management from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, where his undergraduate research investigated the faunistic composition of parasitic wasps across different habitats in West Sarawak. His master’s thesis examined the systematics and phylogeny of lantern flies in Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.

Previously, he worked with the State Health Department of the Federal Territory of Labuan, where he focused on insects of medical importance, including mosquito surveillance, dengue and malaria risk assessments, and ecological field surveys. He was also involved in monitoring other public health pests such as rodents, flies, termites, and fleas. Currently, Irfan is researching the sustainable control of zoonotic malaria through field and genetic studies on vector mosquitoes in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.

​On July 28th, 2025, International Collaborative Research Laboratory (ICRL) Ehime University (EU)-University of Padjadjaran (UNPAD) Director, Prof. Kozo Watanabe, visited Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia. The purpose of the visit is to deepen the years-long relationship between Gadjah Mada University and Ehime University. During the visit, Prof. Kozo was accompanied by UNPAD Satellite ICRL Coordinator, Dr. Lia Faridah, and staff, Muhammad Akbar Thufail, to meet the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University.

​Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, as the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Biology Gadjah Mada University, welcomed the visiting ICRL EU-UNPAD entourage to get acquainted with the facilities in the Faculty of Biology. 

​There are 12 laboratories in the Gadjah Mada University Faculty of Biology; the ICRL EU-UNPAD team had the privilege of visiting the Animal Systematic Laboratory, the Entomology Laboratory, and the newest Integrated Genome Factory (IGF). One of the alumni of Ehime University MECOH Lab, Dr. Atikah Fitria, works in the Entomology Laboratory. 

As the demand for sequencing capability increased, IGF, as a semi-autonomous department, offers sequencing services under the supervision of the Faculty of Biology. The ICRL EU-UNPAD team is hoping to expand collaboration with the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University, given the available resources and workstations may prove useful in the future. ​

Communication is key to idea propagation.

​Prof. Kozo Watanabe, and Dr. Lia Faridah, gave guest lectures at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, on July 28th, 2025. The guest lecture themed "Mosquito-borne Disease Control: Past and Present" addressed the issue of high morbidity and mortality to high proportion of world population caused by malaria, dengue fever, zika, and chikungunya.   

Prof. Kozo presented past research conducted in the Philippines and Indonesia on Wolbachia observation found in native Aedes mosquitoes. His presentation titled “Wolbachia prevalence in natural populations of Aedes aegypti in Metro Manila and Yogyakarta” showed potential competition between naturally occurring Wolbachia communities towards Wolbachia that are artificially infected in Aedes mosquitoes.  His presentation demonstrated that future mosquito-borne disease mitigation works should consider the antagonistic effects of natural Wolbachia communities on biological vector controls.

Dr. Lia's presentation titled “Development of Sustainable Integrated Vector Management: Study in Cimahi City, West Java, Indonesia” showed a molecular approach to overcome endemic dengue and filariasis cases in Cimahi city. 

​This guest lecture series also included Gadjah Mada University's own Biologist, Dr. Raden Roro Upiek Ngesti Wibawaning Astuti, to give a presentation on Biolarvacide from natural plants in Indonesia through her presentation titled “Evaluation of Eight Traditional Plants for Biolarvacide Against Aedes aegypti”.

The last presenter of this guest lecture series was from the Faculty of Medicine, Gadjah Mada University, Prof. dr. Eggi Arguni, with her presentation titled “Aedes-Borne Arboviral Infection Control: Past and Present” to address the overall effort of mitigating Mosquito-borne viruses in Indonesia. 

​The second day of the ICRL EU-UNPAD team visit to Yogyakarta on July 29th, 2025, the activity started with a visit of the Yogyakarta City Health Department to share information on Mosquito-borne viruses in Indonesia—the Head of Disease Prevention and Control and Health Data and Information Systems Management Division, dr. Lana Uwanah welcomed the team and gave a briefing on mosquito-borne disease mitigation in Yogyakarta City.

​The Health Administrator in Yogyakarta City is also collaborating with Gadjah Mada University in terms of vector control and disease surveillance. Some mosquito-borne diseases that emerge in Yogyakarta City are mainly dengue and filariasis. However, there are also malaria cases detected in the region. But these cases are usually carried to Yogyakarta city through returning visitors or workers from eastern Indonesia.

​After a discussion with the Yogyakarta City Health administrator, the team moved to Gadjah Mada University Technopark (UGM Technopark). This is a complex created to centralize the research center and prototype development of Gadjah Mada University members. One of the facilities is the insectarium under the supervision of the Faculty of Medicine.  

The insectarium was responsible for facilitating the production of Wolbachia-infected Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are to be later released into a target city. One of the staff said that the facility has the capability to produce ten thousand mosquitoes per week to meet demand for vector control. The insectarium facility also offers services for other companies or government departments for insecticide testing or other vector control.

ICRL EU-UNPAD Team activity on the second day visit to Yogyakarta on July 29th, 2025, was resumed with a collaboration discussion with the Faculty of Biology, Gadjah Mada University. Representatives from the Entomology Laboratory Faculty of Biology, Dr. Sukirno and Dr. Hari Purwanto, gave a presentation about the profile of their laboratory. The research fields of the entomology lab largely focused on insect pathology and controls. These research fields have a great opportunity to create collaboration in the future with ICRL EU-UNPAD.

The discussion moved to the Faculty of Medicine building to meet with Prof. dr. Eggi Arguni's team in the Faculty of Medicine, Community Health and Nursing. Prof. dr. Eggi presented their group work on developing mosquito mitigation in Indonesia. Their work also collaborates with the Yogyakarta Health Administrator and the insectarium in UGM Technopark to create and release Wolbachia mosquitoes. The evaluation of Wolbachia mosquito release in the Indonesian region would have to be performed. Process and results of the evaluation could open more collaboration with ICRL EU-UNPAD.   ​

Then, on the last day of the visit to Yogyakarta on July 30th, 2025, the ICRL EU-UNPAD Team, accompanied by a team from the Faculty of Biology, went to the Center for Environmental Health Laboratory (BBLKL) in Salatiga, Central Java. The team was welcomed by the Head of General Administration, Ms. Ferry Jelitawati, to have an introduction and discussion with the team in the laboratory. Representative from BBLKL, Ms. Aryani Pujiyanti, gave an introduction about the work done in BBLKL.  

After the discussion and sharing session, the team was shown the facility in the BBLKL area, such as the mosquito reproduction facility, testing laboratory, and the Disease Vector and Reservoir Museum (DUVER). 

​The visit was closed by a discussion with Dr. Triwibowo Ambar Garjito from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to discuss past vector control performed in every region of Indonesia.

​Mosquito-borne disease control is multidisciplinary and multinational; it is by no means an easy feat to run projects at this scale. By bringing together and maintaining a team of experts,  we here at MEcoH are determined to see that collaboration thrives, knowledge is shared across borders, and innovative, evidence-based solutions are developed and implemented to protect communities worldwide.  

Located just about half an hour drive from Ehime University, Rainbow Highland proved to be a refreshing change of pace from the lab benches and lecture halls.

Everyone was in high spirits as we move to the barbeque site.

On the day of the camp, we are very happy to have our core collaborator, Prof. Karen Judan Cruz and her students from the Central Luzon State University of The Philippines to join us for the fun and games.