Doctoral Researcher, Catchment research
The Lammi Biological Station at the University of Helsinki is excited to announce an opening for a PhD researcher to join the newly formed group of Dr. Caio Graco-Roza.
Research Description:
The group focuses on studying planktonic communities and their responses to natural and anthropogenic factors both in the Lammi area but also worldwide. Planktonic communities are fundamental to the food chain, encompassing multiple taxa crucial for water quality management and ecosystem services. Their short lifespan and high demographic rates make them powerful ecological indicators.
The current project aims to understand the primary sources of diffuse pollution in the intensively monitored pilot catchment and the impact of diffuse pollution to plankton biodiversity. Collaborating with members of the “Watershed Safety Plan”-Project (WSSP), the successful applicant will contribute to developing catchment-level water protection solutions at the Baltic level.
The project employs both observational and experimental data collection methods. Observational data, gathered through source-track campaigns across the entire catchment, will inform a hydrological model for the pilot catchment. Given the area's predominant agricultural activities, the candidate will design experiments to assess the effects of various agricultural practices on aquatic biodiversity, particularly within the planktonic food web. The project uniquely integrates hydrological catchment models with experimental approaches to anticipate the large-scale impacts of anthropogenic activities on biodiversity. All necessary infrastructure and materials for experimentation are provided.
About You:
- Ambitious, goal-oriented, collegial, and motivated to tackle challenging projects.
- Hold or be near completion of an MSc degree in biology, ecology, geography, or a related field.
- Prior experience in field sampling, with knowledge of water quality sampling considered advantageous.
- Proficiency in statistical analytical tools such as R, Python, SPSS, or SigmaPlot.
- Strong interest in experimental studies.
- Good command of English. Finnish profficiency is considered an asset.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills.
Project Description:
The doctoral researcher will be the local coordinator of International Central Baltic Interreg-funded “Watershed Safety Plan”-Project (WSSP) focusing on developing catchment-level water protection solutions. In addition to thesis work, the PhD candidate will be responsible for the progress of the project locally. Project tasks include processing and analyzing long-term catchment data, contributing to the validation, development, and testing of hydrological catchment loading models. Data from experiments will facilitate extrapolation of results to identify areas in the catchment vulnerable to biodiversity loss.
Project Assignments:
- Local tasks related to project coordination, management and communication.
- Partner-level reporting of project activities and the financial implementation to the funder (To be done twice a year)
- Compilation of data from the pilot catchment area for use by project partners in modeling implementation.
- Implementation of load-reducing water protection solutions, such as landing basin restoration.
- Participating to international project events and meetings
- Depending on suitability, involvement in Pääjärvi load survey-related research, potentially extending employment by 1-2 months.
What We Offer:
- Project funding for approximately 22 months (2.9.2024 - 30.6.2026) with a competitive monthly salary ranging from 2560€ to 3,390€.
- Scientific support from research staff and administrative assistance from the station.
- A dynamic international workplace.
- Affordable accommodation options within the Lammi Biological Station.
- Negotiable remote work arrangements during specific periods.
Additional information on the position is provided by University Researcher Caio Roza (caio.roza@helsinki.fi).