University of Helsinki

The Department of Geosciences and Geography at the University of Helsinki is the leading research and education unit in its field in Finland. The research carried out within geography is interdisciplinary with strong research lines in physical geography, geoinformatics, and human geography.

The University of Helsinki is an international scientific community of 40,000 students and researchers. It is one of the leading multidisciplinary research universities and ranks among the top 100 international universities in the world.

Finland is a member of the EU, has high quality free schooling (also in English), generous family benefits and healthcare, and was recently ranked as the happiest country in the world for the 7th year in a row. Finland and the Helsinki region possess top expertise in sciences in terms of a vibrant talent pool, leading research, strong support services and functioning collaboration networks. For more information about working at the University of Helsinki and living in Finland, please see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers.

Homepage: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-science/faculty/geosciences-and-geography

We are seeking a Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) to work on a carbon cycle related research project conducted at the Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, Finland, starting from April 2025 or as agreed (no later than June 2025). The Doctoral Researcher will receive a 1-2-year scholarship funded by the Kone foundation. This position is grant-funded only; it does not establish an employment relationship with the University of Helsinki.

Position description

The successful applicant should lead the carbon cycle theme of the project “Borealization in Northern Finland: Impacts on Biodiversity and Carbon Balance” funded by the Kone foundation. The principal investigators (PIs) of the project are University Researcher Anna-Maria Virkkala, University Lecturer Heidi Mod, and Prof. Timo Vesala. The project aims to provide insights into how tree and shrub expansion into the tundra (i.e., borealization) impact biodiversity and terrestrial CO2 fluxes. The project will use chamber and eddy covariance techniques to measure CO2 fluxes along gradients from forest to tundra in Pallas and Kilpisjärvi and then scale these measurements under current and future conditions to estimate carbon budgets across northern Finland utilising statistical and process models. The work will include collecting new flux data and synthesizing existing data from these sites, analysing their links to key environmental controls and types of borealization, and developing spatial and future predictions. The project includes extensive fieldwork in Arctic conditions (in total ca. 4 months during the first year). The project is highly collaborative and includes close collaboration with the other Doctoral Researcher working on the biodiversity component of the project, MSc students and other project participants from the University of Helsinki as well as other research institutions (FMI, Luke) across Finland.

Responsibilities as a grant-funded doctoral researcher

The appointed Doctoral Researcher will lead the carbon cycle component of the project entailing designing and leading the field and geospatial data collection, processing flux and environmental data, utilising and/or developing statistical and process models, and writing scientific publications summarizing the results.

Requirements and eligibility criteria

The doctoral researcher must have a MSc degree in geography, atmospheric sciences, ecology, or a related field. It is expected that the applicant has experience with fieldwork, carbon flux measurements and data processing, statistical analyses and geoinformatics using programs such as R or Python. Previous experience with process modelling and remote sensing is a merit. As the position will require leading the carbon cycle component of the project, excellent organizational, social, and collaborative skills are also required. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are also expected. We welcome applicants from all genders and linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Scholarship and benefits

The successful applicant will receive a scholarship funded by the Kone foundation from April 2025 to March 2027 or as agreed (starting the latest in June 2025); funding to complete the PhD-thesis will be seeked as needed together with the PIs. The personal grant amount from Kone foundation is 2700 euros monthly. Please note that this position is grant-funded only; it does not establish an employment relationship with the University of Helsinki.

Please submit your application by email to Anna-Maria Virkkala (anna-maria.virkkala@helsinki.fi). The application should include the following PDF-documents in Finnish, Swedish or English:

• A cover letter presenting your motivation and qualifications for the position (max. 2 pages)
• A curriculum vitae
• A copy of your MSc degree certificate (or certificate of completed study credits including plan of graduation)
• Names and contact details of two referees

The deadline for applications is March 10th 2025, but please note that the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found.