Ecological Statistician

The Department of Organismal and Evolutionary Biology invites applications for a position as an ecological statistician (Post-Doctoral Researcher) for a fixed term of two years, with the possibility of continuation depending on future funding decisions. The position can start at a mutually agreed time, preferably by 1st September 2026. A six-month trial period will apply at the beginning of the appointment.

The position is based in the research groups of Professor Anna-Liisa Laine and Professor Jarno Vanhatalo within the Research Centre for Ecological Change (REC) For more information, please see: https://www2.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/research-centre-for-ecological-change/ 

Position description

We are seeking for a person with a background in research, and the focus of this position is in ecological statistics: in analysing spatio-temporal biodiversity data to uncover patterns and drivers of biodiversity change and their links to ecosystem functioning. The position offers the opportunity to work with globally unique long-term datasets and contribute to high-impact research on how biodiversity responds to environmental change. The role focuses on applying and possibly further developing advanced statistical approaches to connect biodiversity patterns with ecosystem processes. The position is primarily analytical and supports ongoing research within the groups.

The work contributes to two major ERC-funded projects: an ERC Advanced Grant (PI Laine) examining how plant–microbe biodiversity and associated ecosystem functions are altered by human disturbance, and an ERC Consolidator Grant (PI Vanhatalo) focusing on predictive understanding of how global change affects ecological communities and ecosystem functions.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in joint species distribution modelling (e.g. HMSC), structural equation modelling, and other advanced statistical approaches, as well as the ability to adopt and develop new analytical tools.

Qualifications and profile

We are looking for a candidate with a PhD or equivalent expertise in ecology, statistics, or a related field, and strong quantitative and analytical skills. Experience working with complex ecological datasets is essential. The ideal candidate is solution-oriented, proactive, and able to work both independently and as part of a collaborative research team. Excellent communication skills and enthusiasm for research are highly valued.

Key references

Rodrigues, A. V., Rissanen, T., Jones, M. M., Huikkonen, I.-M., Huitu, O., Korpimäki, E., Kuussaari, M., Lehikoinen, A., Lindén, A., Pietiäinen, H., Pöyry, J., Sihvonen, P., Suuronen, A., Vuorio, K., Saastamoinen, M., Vanhatalo, J. and Laine, A.-L. (2025) Cross-taxa analysis of long-term data reveals a positive biodiversity-stability relationship with taxon-specific mechanistic underpinning. Ecology Letters, 28(4): e70003. Doi: 10.1111/ele.70003

Schulz, T., Saastamoinen, M., Vanhatalo, J. (2025). Model-based variance partitioning for statistical ecology. Ecological Monographs 95(1): e1646

Kaarlejärvi, E.,  Itter, M. S., Tonteri, T., Hamberg, L., Salemaa, M., Merilä, P., Vanhatalo, J. & Laine, A.-L. (2024)  Inferring ecological selection from multidimensional community trait distributions along environmental gradients. Ecology, 105(9): e4378. Doi: doi.org/10.1002/ecy.4378

Norberg, A., Susi, H., Sallinen, S. Baran, P., Clarke, N. J. & Laine, A.-L. (2023) Direct and indirect viral associations predict coexistence in wild plant virus communities. Current Biology, 33(9): 1665-1676.e4. Doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.022

Salary and how to apply for the position

The salary of the successful candidate 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 will be ca. 3700–4100 euros/month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.

The application should include the following documents as a single pdf file:

• motivational letter outlining why you are the right person for this task (max 1 page)
• CV (max 2 pages)
• list of publications
• contact information of two persons who are willing to provide a reference letter by separate request. 

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

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

The deadline for submitting the application is 27.5.2026 (at 23:59 EEST). 

For more information, contact by email

Anna-Liisa Laine (anna-liisa.laine(at)helsinki.fi) or Jarno Vanhatalo (jarno.vanhatalo(at)helsinki.fi).

If you need support with the recruitment portal, please contact HR Specialist Minna Toivonen recruitment(at)helsinki.fi.

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