Doctoral researcher and postdoctoral researcher, atmospheric dynamics and predictability

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. 

The 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 AND POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER

in atmospheric dynamics and predictability starting as soon as possible in a fixed term contract until 31.12.2027.

Background

In this project we will quantify how the accuracy of weather forecasts, and thus the predictability, of synoptic-scale cyclones affecting Europe and the Arctic, and their associated hazardous weather, will change in the future and identify why. Using the weather forecast model OpenIFS and the supercomputer LUMI, we will perform thousands of numerical simulations, including both idealised baroclinic wave simulations and dynamical downscaling simulations of different cyclones sampled from climate model output.

The doctoral researcher will work with the idealized OpenIFS simulations (the baroclinic waves) and will develop methodologies for running ensembles simulations within this framework.

The postdoctoral researcher will be working with CMIP6 data and OpenIFS and will perform ensembles of dynamical downscaling simulations of selected cyclones in both the European and Arctic domain.

Doctoral researcher position

We are seeking a talented and motivated doctoral researcher (PhD student), who recently completed their MSc degree in the field of meteorology, atmospheric sciences, applied physics, computer science or in a closely related field. MSc students near the completion of their degree are also encouraged to apply.

The candidate should have:

• Willingness to pursue a PhD degree in atmospheric sciences
• Good skills in written and spoken English
• Interest in performing research on topics close to the project scope
• The ability for independent creative thinking
• Skills in computer programming and experience of Linux. Experience of using numerical models and high-performance computing systems is highly desirable but not necessary.

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 be able to attend international conferences and present their scientific work in local and international meetings. As an employee of the University of Helsinki, the researcher will receive occupational health care, and will be entitled to sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development. The employment contract will include a probationary period of six months. 

Postdoctoral researcher position

We are seeking a talented postdoctoral researcher, who has completed their doctoral degree in the field of meteorology, atmospheric sciences, climate sciences or a closely related field, and is looking forward to challenging projects, which they can lead and develop. Work duties include performing research, writing articles, supervising M.Sc and possibly PhD students as well as contributing to teaching in the Master’s programme in Atmospheric Sciences.

The candidate should have:

•  A good knowledge of meteorology and atmospheric dynamics
• Strong programming skills and experience of using numerical models and high-performance computing systems.
• Interest in performing research on topics close to the project scope
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English
• The ability for independent creative thinking

The candidate will be able 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 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 and the of the postdoctoral researcher ca. 3700-3900 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 motivation letter
• a CV
• a full list of publications (postdoctoral researcher applicants)
• the Bachelors/Masters degree certificate and transcript including Bachelors/Masters thesis topic and its grade (doctoral student applicants)
• the doctoral degree diploma (postdoctoral researcher applicants)
• contact details of two referees.

Please submit the files using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System by clicking the “Apply now” button. Applicants who are employees of the University of Helsinki are requested to leave their application via SAP Fiori. Deadline for applications is 7th of February 2025. The selected candidates will be contacted personally and will be invited for an interview.

For project and position-related questions, please contact Doctor Victoria Sinclair, victoria.sinclair@helsinki.fi.

If you need support with the recruitment system, please contact hr-kumpula(at)helsinki.fi.