Doctoral Researcher, Urban Meteorology

The University of Helsinki is a multidisciplinary research university that ranks among the best in the world and the top ten among European universities. The university has some 36,000 degree students. 

Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) is a large multidisciplinary research unit based in physics, chemistry, meteorology, forest sciences, environmental sciences and social sciences in the University of Helsinki. INAR aims to strengthen the internationally leading, integrated multidisciplinary research and education environment for atmospheric and Earth system science and to feed in scientific results for the national and international environment and climate policy. It performs multiscale research from molecular to global scale and focuses on climate change, air quality, biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem processes.

Faculty of Science invites applications for  

DOCTORAL RESEARCHER 

in urban meteorology starting earliest in November 2024 in a fixed term contract of 3,5 years.

Background

Cities worldwide are increasingly interested in harnessing the potential of urban vegetation to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While existing research has primarily focused on carbon sequestration, the exchange of other GHGs and the role of soils have been widely neglected. Studies indicate that biogeochemical cycles of vegetation and GHG exchanges undergo alterations in urban settings compared to natural ecosystems, driven by specific urban features such as fertilization, irrigation, pollution and changes in soil physical condition. These processes are not well understood in urban settings. The Research Council of Finland funded GHUGS (GreenHouse gas dynamics of Urban Green Space) project aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of atmosphere-plant-soil GHG dynamics in urban areas and practical insights for urban planning practices to mitigate natural urban GHG emissions. The project integrates novel ecosystem level, tree ecophysiological and soil measurements with satellite observations and process-based modelling.

The doctoral researcher will be working with the comprehensive observations collected during the project. The observations cover ecosystem level eddy covariance measurements, soil and shoot chamber measurements, and tree-level sap flux measurements collected in different cities. The researcher will actively participate on observations

The doctoral researcher will work as part of the urban meteorology group at INAR, led by Prof. Leena Järvi. The group studies urban atmosphere, air quality and greenhouse gas cycle using a wide range of methodologies including eddy covariance technique, land surface modelling and large eddy simulation. The work will be done in close collaboration with Finnish Meteorological Institute.

Doctoral researcher position

We are seeking a talented and motivated doctoral researcher (PhD student), who recently completed their MSc degree in the field of Physics, Meteorology, Forest Sciences, Geography, or any other similar area. MSc students near the completion of their degree are also encouraged to apply.

The candidate should have:

• Willingness to pursue a PhD degree in meteorology
• Good skills in written and spoken English
• Some previous experience in programming (e.g., R or Python) and statistical analysis of scientific data. Previous experience from working with GHG observations (e.g. eddy covariance, chamber, sap flux) is an advantage
• Interest in doing research on close to the project scope and ability to independent creative thinking, combined with good
• self-discipline and reasonable communication skills.

The appointee should either already have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki by the start of the appointment or apply for the right and obtain it within the probationary period of six months of their appointment. If the candidate does not already have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki, it must be applied for separately (www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/the-application-process-in-a-nutshell). The requirements for pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki can be found at https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/eligibility-and-educational-documents.

The candidate will get a chance to attend international conferences and present their scientific work in local and international meetings. As an employee of the University of Helsinki, researcher will receive occupational health care, and will be entitled to sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development.

The doctoral researcher position starts in November 2024 (or as soon as the position is filled). The position is initially for 3,5 years. The employment contract will include a probationary period of six months. 

Research environment

Finland is a member of EU, has high quality free schooling (also in English), generous family benefits and healthcare, and was recently ranked as the best country in the world for expat families and in the world’s top ten most livable cities. 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/university/working-at-the-university. 

The starting salary of the doctoral researcher will be ca. 2600-2800 euros/month, depending on the appointees’ qualifications and experience. Furthermore, the University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development.

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

How to apply 

Please apply with;

• a one-page motivation letter clearly highlighting research/educational accomplishments,
• a two-page CV (clearly highlighting earlier relevant experience in computational biophysics and/or modeling/simulations of biomolecules), and
• a Bachelors/Masters degree grade card including Bachelors/Masters thesis topic and its grade.

Please submit all files in a single pdf document using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System by clicking the Apply for the position button below. button “Apply now”. Applicants who are employees of the University of Helsinki are requested to leave their application via SAP Fiori. Deadline for applications is 19th September 2024. The selected candidates will be contacted personally and will be invited for an interview.

For further information, please contact Professor Leena Järvi, leena.jarvi(at)helsinki.fi.