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Two postdoctoral researchers and/or doctoral researcher, Future Forests

Current climate change scenarios estimate the growth zones to shift approximately 80 km northwards in a decade, and the speed is likely to accelerate towards the end of the century. On the other hand, forest trees take decades to mature, meaning that the seedlings begin their growth in a different kind of environment compared to the one they face as adults. How will the current forest tree populations survive in the future climate? The change also brings about negative effects such as droughts, introduction of new pathogens and pests, as well as extreme weather conditions – how are the current forests adapted to these conditions? From a forestry perspective, it needs to be considered how well the current breeding and forest reproductive material is going to survive and grow in the future climate – should new material be brought in, and if so, which?

 

You will now have a chance to address these issues in a four year “Future Forests” research project, funded by Jane and Aatos Erkko foundation. You will use Finland-wide remote sensing resources from one of the consortium members, Finnish Geospatial Research Institute to monitor tree growth in Finland and combine this information with whole genome sequencing data from up to 10,000 trees. We are using birches (Betula) as our model organism, as they have a relatively small genome, they are adapted to their local environments and there are accelerated breeding procedures for testing hypotheses arising from the analyses.

 

Are you a technology wizard, determined to apply your skills in something that really matters? Or, alternatively, you have a solid background in population genetics and you’ve been looking for a project where you can study adaptation and trait architecture in high spatial and genomic resolution?

 

We are seeking two postdoctoral researchers or one postdoctoral and one doctoral researcher for: (i) Remote sensing advised country-wide genotype-phenotype linking, and (ii) Country-wide study of genetic adaptation and population structure dynamics in a changing climate. In the project, you will analyse whole-genome data from birches collected from Finnish forests. After selecting the individuals to be collected and sequenced, you will associate the data to remote sensing-based phenotypic and climate data. You will perform population genetic analyses and simulations to study the effect of adaptation, hybridisation and past demographic events on potential future persistence under climate change. Your findings will be readily transferred to the practitioners, as the Natural Resources Institute of Finland is a consortium member and the main tree breeder in Finland.

 

Skills, expertise and qualifications

For the doctoral researcher’s position, the appointee is expected to have an applicable second-cycle degree and the right to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Helsinki. Other requirements include the ability and motivation, as demonstrated in previous degree studies or otherwise, to pursue postgraduate studies and a doctoral degree according to a study plan and research proposal.

 

For the doctoral researcher’s position, the appointee must enroll as a PhD student at the University of Helsinki.  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 appointee does not already have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki, it must be applied for separately, please see: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/the-application-process-in-a-nutshell

 

For the postdoctoral researcher’s position, the appointee shall hold a doctoral degree and have the ability to conduct independent scholarly work as well as the teaching skills necessary for the position. In the postdoctoral researcher's position, the degree requirement (doctoral degree) must be met by the beginning of the employment.

 

The optimal candidates will have acquired a PhD in biology, forest sciences, environmental sciences, or data sciences. A strong background or motivation to learn ecological genetics and evolutionary biology as well as competence in bioinformatics and population genetics is required. You should be acquainted or capable of learning the modelling associated with genome-wide association studies (GWAS), landscape genomic analyses, and population genetic simulations. You are ambitious to work and communicate in fluent English in an international consortium. Furthermore, you have a well-structured and careful working attitude, and you demonstrate a high level of team spirit.

 

The duties of the doctoral researcher include conducting research in the project framework with the aim of achieving doctoral degree in accordance with the degree requirements of the University of Helsinki. The appointee in either position will also participate in supervision of undergraduate students and teaching. The teaching duties will cover ca. 5 % of the total working hours.

 

Contract and salary

The salary is defined in accordance with the University’s salary system for teaching and research personnel.

 

The doctoral researcher’s salary is based on level 1-2 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee shall be paid a salary component based on personal work performance The doctoral researcher’s starting salary is approximately 2500 euros/month depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. The salary will increase as the PhD work progresses. 

 

The postdoctoral researcher’s salary is based on level 5 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee shall be paid a salary component based on personal work performance. The gross salary range varies between 3600–4500 euros/month, depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate.

 

The preferred starting date is October/November 2025. The positions will be filled as soon as possible, or as agreed with the selected candidates. Successful candidates are expected to work full-time. The employment contract will include a probationary period of six months. The place of work is Helsinki.

 

The hired persons will be part of Centre of Excellence in Tree Biology (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/centre-of-excellence-in-tree-biology), a multidisciplinary team representing a broad base in tree genetics, physiology and computational modelling. You will be co-supervised by Tanja Pyhäjärvi and Jarkko Salojärvi, who have active research groups specializing in forest tree population genomics, evolutionary genomics, and genome evolution.

 

Finland is the happiest country in the world and the most forested country in Europe. University of Helsinki is committed to diversity and inclusion as core values. We actively promote gender equality and foster an open, inclusive work environment. The University of Helsinki invests in the welfare of its employees by offering, for instance, preventative occupational health services, general medical care, and access to high-quality sports facilities. Read more about why the University of Helsinki is an excellent career choice: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers.

 

How to apply

 

Please submit your application through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System by clicking on the link “Apply now”. University of Helsinki employees should apply via the “Employee Login” link.

 

Please attach the required documents as a single pdf file under “My documents: curriculum vitae”.

 

The single pdf application should include:

  • A cover letter describing the techniques/methodologies employed in your previous research experiences and your motivation to apply.
  • A complete CV with full contact details, education degrees obtained, prior work experience, and list of possible publications and theses with links to their online versions (if available).
  • Copy/copies of the diploma(s) of previous degree(s).
  • Contact information of two referees.

 

The closing date for applications is 25 August 2025 (at 23.59 EEST).

 

The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and minorities.

 

Further information

Tanja Pyhäjärvi (tanja.pyhajarvi@helsinki.fi) and Jarkko Salojärvi (jarkko.salojarvi@helsinki.fi) will be happy to answer any questions or offer further information.

 

For recruitment system support, contact HR Specialist Mirkka Juntunen (mirkka.juntunen(at)helsinki.fi)

 

 

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Open position

Due Date:  25.8.2025
Unit:  Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Sub-unit:  Department of Forest Sciences
ID:  4172

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