Doctoral Researcher in Functional Community Ecology / Meta-Ecosystems

The Ecological Synthesis Group (ESG), led by University Researcher Dr. Caio Graco-Roza, invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) to join the research group at the Lammi Biological Station, University of Helsinki, Finland.

The position will start at the earliest in March 2026, or as agreed. The doctoral researcher will be offered a full-time fixed-term contract for three years. A trial period of six months will apply.

Position description

Biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation are increasingly shaped by interactions across ecosystem boundaries, yet the mechanisms linking terrestrial and aquatic communities remain poorly understood. This doctoral position is part of the TRACE – Trait Responses Across Connected Ecosystems project (2025–2028), funded by the Research Council of Finland.

The TRACE project has a broad focus on understanding connectivity between forest and lake ecosystems using functional traits, with particular emphasis on trait dimensions related to tolerance, movement, and interaction. By integrating multi-taxa field data, trait-based ecology, experiments, and advanced statistical analyses, TRACE aims to uncover how ecological processes propagate across blue–green boundaries and shape biodiversity patterns at local to regional scales.

The doctoral researcher is expected to actively contribute to field campaigns, experiments, shared data collection, data analysis, and manuscript preparation, and to work as an integrated member of a collaborative research team. Within this general project framework, the PhD project offers some flexibility to jointly define the specific research focus according to the candidate’s scientific interests, provided that the topic remains fully embedded within the objectives and work packages of the TRACE project.

Research will be conducted primarily at the Lammi Biological Station, the largest university research station in Finland, located approximately 100 km from the University of Helsinki main campus. The station provides exceptional access to long-term study lakes, well-equipped laboratories, experimental infrastructure, and a vibrant international research community, offering a highly collaborative and scientifically stimulating working environment.

Main tasks and responsibilities

The doctoral researcher will:

• Participate in and contribute to field campaigns and experiments in forest–lake systems
• Contribute to trait-based and community-level analyses across aquatic and terrestrial taxa
• Apply advanced statistical approaches, including multivariate methods, to analyse complex ecological data
• Contribute to the integration and synthesis of experimental and observational datasets
• Lead and co-author scientific publications as part of the doctoral thesis
• Participate in group activities, meetings, and collaborative work within the TRACE project
• Contribute to student and team activities at the Lammi Biological Station
• The exact balance between analytical work and field-based activities will be adapted to the doctoral researcher’s background and training needs, while ensuring full participation in the core project activities.

Requirements

Applicants should hold, or be close to completing, a Master’s degree in ecology, biology, aquatic ecology, environmental sciences, biogeography, or a closely related field by the start of the appointment.

The successful candidate is expected to have:
Interest in community ecology, functional ecology, and biodiversity research

• Interest in community ecology, functional ecology, and biodiversity research
• Motivation to work with complex ecological datasets and quantitative analyses
• Basic experience with statistical data analysis (e.g. in R)
• Interest in developing skills in advanced analytical and modelling approaches
• Good communication skills in spoken and written English
• Willingness to work in a field-based research environment in Lammi, Finland
  
  

Previous experience with fieldwork, multi-taxa datasets, or trait-based ecology is considered an advantage.

What we offer

• A full-time doctoral researcher position for three years
• A structured and supportive PhD training environment at the Lammi Biological Station
• Supervision within an active and collaborative research group
• Competitive salary based on the Finnish university salary system
• Flexible working hours and good work–life balance
• Access to excellent research infrastructure, field sites, and analytical support
• Occupational health care, sports facilities, and staff development services
• Support with residence permits, if applicable
  
  

Collaborative and international research environment

The doctoral researcher will join a lively international research network associated with the TRACE project and the Lammi Biological Station. The doctoral researcher will be supervised by Caio Graco‑Roza and Janne Soininen. The project is embedded in an active international collaboration network including Florian Altermatt, Helmut Hillebrand, Martin Gossner, and Sabina Burrascano, among others. In addition, the project benefits from strong national collaborations within Finland, providing complementary expertise in aquatic ecology, forest ecology, and biodiversity monitoring. Together, these international and national partnerships offer opportunities for joint analyses, co-authored publications, and research visits during the PhD, depending on project needs and progress.

How to apply

Please submit your application in English, including:

• A cover letter describing your research background, interests, and motivation (max 1–2 pages)
• A CV
• Contact information for 1-2 referees (letters requested later)

Applications should be submitted via the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system.

The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.