Doctoral Researcher, Ecology and Genetics

6G Flagship; Oulu; Hybrid; EUR 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangement

Partial remote work possible

Wellness benefits

Job summary

University of Oulu invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher in Global Change and Biotic Interactions Ecology. The project investigates plant biodiversity change mechanisms under climate and nutrient changes, with collaboration across international partners.

The role involves field and lab work, data analysis with R, manuscript writing, and teaching at the BSc/MSc level. The position is based in Oulu with potential mobility to collaborate with Helsinki and UC Davis.

Qualifications

• MSc in plant community ecology or equivalent field.
• Strong motivation and enthusiasm for ecological research and doctoral studies.
• Experience in plant biodiversity, experimental/global change research or trait-based ecology.

Responsibilities

• Collect new data on plant communities (field, greenhouse, lab) and plan work.
• Conduct plant trait measurements.
• Perform statistical analyses on new and existing data from long-term experiments.
• Write manuscripts (2–3) and publish in high-quality peer-reviewed journals.
• Participate in national and international conferences and workshops.
• Teach in BSc/MSc level courses and co-supervise master students.
• Collaborate as an active member of the working group.

Skills

Statistical analysis (R)

Fieldwork

Teamwork

English (written & spoken)

Plant identification

Education

MSc in plant community ecology

Tools

R

Job description

Faculty of Science, Ecology and Genetics

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 4000 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based education to build a more sustainable, smarter, and more humane world. The University of Oulu community has about 19,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations.

The University of Oulu is ranked in the top 3% of the world’s universities. All our research, education, and community activities are guided by our university’s values and ethical principles.

We are now looking for a

Doctoral Researcher

Global Change and Biotic Interactions Ecology group, for the Research Council of Finland-funded project “Mechanisms of Plant Biodiversity Change”, both led by Prof. Anu Eskelinen (Eskelinen Research Group | Global Change and Biotic Interaction Ecology).

Description of the project

We are looking for a highly motivated and research-oriented person to carry out doctoral research addressing the mechanisms of plant biodiversity change. In this project, we investigate what are the roles of mechanisms related to spatial context, dispersal in space and time, biotic interactions (competition, herbivory) and intraspecific trait change in driving heterogeneous responses of plant biodiversity to different global change factors (e.g., climate warming, nutrient enrichment). We aim for a more holistic understanding of plant biodiversity change in the Anthropocene, being able to provide answers to questions: how, why and where plant biodiversity changes. The specific research questions can relate, for example, to (1) the role of temporal dispersal via soil seed banks as a diversity maintaining mechanism under multiple global changes, (2) the role of intraspecific trait change in modifying the effects of climatic and other global changes on plant biodiversity, and (3) relative and interactive roles of spatial context (i.e., connectivity and habitat size), dispersal and herbivory in mediating plant biodiversity response to global changes. A suitable combination of these questions/ideas will be developed together with the project leader. We use already existing data (ready to be analyzed) and will also collect new data from two unique, existing long-term experimental systems to address these research questions.

Your tasks

• Collecting new data on plant communities (field, greenhouse and laboratory work), including organizing and planning the work
• Conducting plant trait measurements
• Conducting statistical analyses on new and already existing research data from long-term field experiments
• Writing manuscripts (2-3) and publishing the research findings in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals under the guidance/supervision of your mentor and in collaboration with other researchers
• Participating national and international conferences and workshops, when relevant
• Teaching in BSc/MSc level courses and co-supervising master's students and interns.
• Being an active member of the working group

Although the position will be based at the Ecology and Genetics Research Unit in Oulu, the doctoral researcher will also collaborate with an international researcher team from, for example, the University of Helsinki, Finland and the University of California, Davis, USA. There may also be research visit(s) to these collaborators’ groups.

Qualification requirements for the Doctoral researcher position

• MSc in plant community ecology or equivalent field
• Strong motivation, curiosity, and enthusiasm towards ecological research and to pursue doctoral studies
• Experience and interest in some of the following: plant biodiversity research, experimental research, global change research, trait-based plant ecology
• Excellent statistical skills with software R
• Ability to travel and do field work, experience in field work
• Good grassland plant identification skills and ability to quickly learn new species
• Knowledge of grassland ecosystems (e.g., temperate, tundra)
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Good communication and teamwork skills, ability to work in an international team
• Driver’s licence is needed or willingness to acquire one
• See also the requirements of the University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS)

Assessment of the applicants will be based on, acknowledging the content of the job, 1) overall fit to the above profile, 2) scientific publications (if applicable), 3) motivation, 4) previous work experience, 5) national and international mobility and networking skills, and 5) other academic activities and merits.

What We Offer

• A three-year, full-time Doctoral Researcher position in an ambitious project
• Opportunities for national and international collaboration, conference participation, co- authored publications and research mobility if relevant to your doctoral project
• You will become a part of a highly enthusiastic and talented research group that is working on globally significant research areas
• Possibility for a flexible combination of presence work and remote work (this can be negotiated, depending on the situation of the applicant and project demands)
• Full benefits provided by the University of Oulu to university employees, including free time corresponding to holidays and free occupational health care services. The successful candidate will receive also benefits provided by the Finnish government to residents, for example possibility to obtain access to the national healthcare system, tax benefits for employees with children, and high-quality affordable childcare services.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture, and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits here.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and your close ones in settling into Oulu.
• We have an HR Excellence in Research -quality label, which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, an excellent education system, and a competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Salary

The position is fixed-term for three (3) years as of February 1, 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. The start date is flexible and can be negotiated. The salary will be based on the levels 2-4 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (a maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). The typical starting gross salary will be approx. 2600-3000 € per month (before taxes). As the doctoral research progresses, there is salary progression in accordance with the University salary system. A trial period of 6 months is applied to the position.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact Professor Anu Eskelinen (anu.eskelinen(at)oulu.fi). Type of employment Temporary position over 6 months Contract type Full time Salary TES Number of positions 1 Full-time equivalent 100% City Oulu County Pohjois-Pohjanmaa Country Finland Reference number 2026/572 Published 24.Sep.2026 Last application date 15.Nov.2026