Postdoctoral Researcher, N2O-Predict
The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry invites applications for the position of a
Postdoctoral Researcher, N2O-Predict
The postdoctoral researcher will be appointed for a fixed-term of 36 months (start date: 1 November 2024 or as agreed with the appointee) to work in Research Council of Finland funded project N2O-Predict (Predicting episodic N2O emissions from northern agricultural soils). The postdoctoral researcher will join a multidisciplinary team of around 10 scientists studying the exchange of greenhouse gases nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) in agricultural, forest and peatland ecosystems, with the focus in processes and drivers of the emissions and uptake in soil-plant systems.
N2O -Predict is a consortium project that brings together a multidisciplinary team of scientists from University of Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland, Natural Resources Institute Finland and Finnish Meteorological Institute, all working at INAR RI Agriculture infrastructures (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/infrastructures/inar-ri-agriculture). The main aim of the N₂O-Predict is 1) to quantify the seasonality, budgets and drivers of N₂O emissions in northern agricultural soils, 2) to reveal the legacy effects of agricultural management and weather on N₂O forming processes and episodic N₂O emissions, 3) to integrate the new understanding to biogeochemical process models and 4) to predict N₂O emissions in northern agricultural soils in future conditions.
Do you want to be part of our dream team?
Tasks of the postdoctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki will be to
1) analyze the multi-year N2O eddy covariance data together with comprehensive soil and meteorological data from SMEAR-Agri supersite (https://www.atm.helsinki.fi/smear/smear-agri/),
2) publish and present the findings in high-impact scientific journals and international meetings,
3) participate in planning and supervising laboratory and field experiments on episodic N2O emissions,
3) take an active role in group work, supervision of students and interaction between the consortium partners to facilitate direct interplay between the experimental work and modelling.
We are seeking a highly motivated researcher with a recent Ph.D. in the subject area in micrometeorology, atmospheric sciences, terrestrial ecology, biogeochemistry, soil science, or other relevant fields. Experience in supervising MSc and/or PhD students, an excellent publication record, ability to work independently as part of a multidisciplinary research group are essential. Programming skills and an interest towards learning new data analysis tools are assets.
This project is affiliated to the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR). We offer an internationally competitive package and access to state-of-the-art infrastructures (such as ICOS, Integrated Carbon Observation System, https://www.icos-ri.eu/).
The salary of the postdoctoral researcher is based on level 5 of the requirement level chart for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a personal salary component. The monthly salary in a full-time postdoctoral researcher position is usually about 3 500 – 3 700 euros/month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.
The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, a generous holiday package, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development. A six-month trial period will be applied.
How to apply
Please submit your application as a single pdf file in English using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System.
The application should consist of:
1) A concise cover letter explaining the applicant’s motivation for the research work.
2) Curriculum vitae showing the applicant's education, completed qualifications, work experience (max 3 pages)
3) contact information of at least two persons for references
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 or a visiting researcher's contract at the University of Helsinki are requested to submit their application by using the Employee login.
The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants of any gender and age, linguistic or cultural background, or minority group.
The closing date for applications is 15 October 2024 at 23:59 EEST (i.e. local time in Helsinki)
Further information
- For questions regarding the project: Professor Mari Pihlatie, mari.pihlatie@helsinki.fi
- For questions regarding the recruitment system: HR Specialist Mirkka Juntunen, mirkka.juntunen(at)helsinki.fi, tel +358505560748
- Viikki Campus: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/campuses/viikki-campus
- Support for international staff: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/welcome and https://ihhelsinki.fi (International House Helsinki)
About us
Work will take place at the department of Agricultural Sciences (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-agriculture-and-forestry/research/agricultural-sciences) a part of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-agriculture-and-forestry), nationally unique faculty with a high international standing. The mission of the faculty is to promote the sustainable use of renewable natural resources through scientific research and research-based teaching. We focus on agricultural and forest sciences, food and nutrition, microbiology, as well as on economics and management.