Postdoctoral Researcher in Functional Community Ecology / Meta-Ecosystems

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN FUNCTIONAL COMMUNITY ECOLOGY / META-ECOSYSTEMS

The Ecological Synthesis Group (ESG), led by University Researcher Dr. Caio Graco-Roza, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher 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 postdoctoral researcher will be offered a full-time fixed-term contract for two 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 postdoctoral position is part of the TRACE – Trait Responses Across Connected Ecosystems project (2025–2028), funded by the Research Council of Finland.

The TRACE project investigates how functional traits related to tolerance, movement, and interaction structure communities across connected forest–lake ecosystems. 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 postdoctoral researcher will play a central role in the project, contributing to data synthesis, statistical analyses, and manuscript writing, while also participating in field-based experiments and supervision of students. 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 postdoctoral researcher will:

• Lead and contribute to trait-based and community-level analyses across aquatic and terrestrial taxa
• Apply advanced statistical and multivariate analytical approaches to analyse complex ecological data
• Contribute to the integration and synthesis of experimental and observational datasets
• Take a leading role in writing high-quality peer-reviewed publications
• Participate in and help coordinate field campaigns and experiments in forest–lake systems
• Co-supervise MSc students and interns, and contribute to mentoring within the research group
• Actively engage in national and international collaborations linked to the TRACE project
  
  

The exact balance between analysis, fieldwork, and supervision can be adapted to the postdoctoral researcher’s expertise and interests.

Requirements

Applicants should hold a PhD 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:

• A strong background in community ecology, functional traits, and/or biodiversity research
• Solid experience with statistical data analysis and reproducible research workflows
• Proficiency in R for ecological data analysis
• Demonstrated ability to publish scientific research in international peer-reviewed journals
• Good communication skills in spoken and written English
• Willingness to work in a field-based research environment in Lammi, Finland
  
  

What we offer

• A full-time postdoctoral position for two years
• A stimulating and supportive research environment at the Lammi Biological Station
• Competitive salary based on the Finnish university salary system (typically job demands level 4–5, depending on experience)
• 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 postdoctoral researcher will join a lively international research network associated with the TRACE project and the Lammi Biological Station. The project is embedded in an active collaboration network including Florian Altermatt (Eawag / University of Zurich), Helmut Hillebrand (University of Oldenburg), Martin Gossner (WSL, Switzerland), and Sabina Burrascano (Sapienza University of Rome), 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 concrete opportunities for joint analyses, co-authored publications, and research visits, depending on the postdoctoral researcher’s interests and the direction of the project.

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, including publication list
• Contact information for 2–3 referees (letters requested later)

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

The position will remain open until February 10th, or until a suitable candidate is found.

Further information

For informal inquiries, please contact:

Dr. Caio Graco-Roza
University of Helsinki, Lammi Biological Station
Email: caio.roza@helsinki.fi