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Postdoctoral Researcher in Sustainability assessment of food systems

The University of Helsinki is inviting applications for a postdoctoral researcher position for a 1-1.5 year contract depending on the starting date (the position can be started as soon as the person has been appointed). There might be a possibility for an extension of the contract depending on the project. The position is opened at the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry located in Viikki campus in Helsinki. The appointed person will be affiliated to the Future Sustainable Food Systems (FS)2 -research group led by Professor Hanna Tuomisto.

 

The task of the postdoctoral researcher is to carry out research related to sustainability assessment of future food system with particular focus on alternative proteins (e.g. cultivated meat, microbial proteins, precision fermented proteins, mycoproteins, algae, plant-based proteins and insects). The focus is on environmental sustainability assessment based on life cycle assessment (LCA), but also other dimensions of sustainability can be included. The postdoctoral researcher will be involved in the on-going research projects at the group but is also able to develop own research ideas. In addition, the person is expected to contribute to the preparation of funding applications, supervise/mentor MSc and PhD students and contribute to teaching activities.

 

 

Requirements

We look for candidates in the field of sustainability assessment who:

  • have a doctoral degree granted before the beginning of employment
  • have experience in the field of life cycle assessment (LCA) of agriculture, food production and/or food systems (including a minimum of one scientific peer-review publication related to the topic) and experience in using LCA software (e.g. SimaPro, Gabi or OpenLCA) or LCA databases in other modelling platforms
  • have ability to conduct scholarly work and research both independently and as member of interdisciplinary research groups
  • have ability of learn fast
  • have motivation and capabilities to teach environmental life cycle assessment and supervise/mentor students

 

  • Programming skills (e.g. Python, R, MATLAB, C) are seen as a benefit.

 

What we offer

The salary of the postdoctoral researcher will be based on level 5 of the demands level chart for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The starting salary of the postdoctoral researcher will be c. 3500-4000 €/month depending on experience. A six-month trial period will be applied. The workplace of the position is at Viikki campus in Helsinki.

Finland is one of the most livable countries, with a high quality of life, safety and excellent education system.  Finland is a member of the EU, has high quality and inexpensive childcare, free schooling and tertiary training (also in English), generous family benefits and healthcare, and was recently ranked as the best country in the world for expat families. The successful candidate will receive the benefits provided by the University of Helsinki to university employees, including occupational health care services, and obtain access to high-quality public affordable childcare services and schools. Read more about the employee benefits at our university and why the University of Helsinki is an excellent career choice: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers

 

 Further information

 

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application as a single pdf file in English using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System. Please include the following in your application: 

  • A motivation letter (max. 2 pages) including descriptions of candidate’s:
    • background and methodological skills relevant for the position
    • research interest and motivation to apply for this position
  • CV that includes a list of publications 
  • Names and contact details of two referees (including the most recent line manager/supervisor)

 

External applicants, please submit your application using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via Apply Now button.

 

Applicants who have a helsinki.fi -username and a valid employment contract, a grant researcher’s contract or a visiting researcher’s contract at the University of Helsinki are requested to leave their application by using the Employee login.

 

The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

 

The closing date for applications is 18 August 2025 (23:59 EET)

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Due Date:  18.8.2025
Unit:  Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Sub-unit:  Department of Agricultural Sciences
ID:  4185

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