Doctoral Researcher in the MSCA Cofund DP-FOBI Doctoral Programme, Forest Sciences

University of Eastern Finland; Joensuu; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

National healthcare

Childcare support

Staff training and development

Lunch discount on campus restaurants

Job summary

The Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology at the University of Eastern Finland invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher position (4 years) in the MSCA COFUND Doctoral Programme for Advancing Forest-Based Bioeconomy (DP-FOBI). The position is based on Joensuu campus and should start by 1 April 2027.

The research theme focuses on coupling AI and simulation-optimization for numeric forest management planning, using forest inventory data from two time points and applying deep learning to

Qualifications

• Master's degree in forestry or data science (or closely related field).
• Experience with AI methods and data analysis in a research setting.
• Ability to work in international multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct dissertation research within the DP-FOBI programme.
• Engage in training activities and workshops, including mobility and secondments.
• Prepare an individual study plan and contribute to dissemination and publications.

Skills

Deep learning

Programming (R/Python)

Scientific writing

Education

Master's degree in forestry or data science

Tools

R

Python

Job description

Position Overview

The Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, School of Forest Sciences invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher position (4 years) in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND Doctoral Programme for Advancing Forest-Based Bioeconomy (DP-FOBI). The position is based on Joensuu campus and is expected to begin no later than 1 April 2027. Applications must be submitted no later than 10 August 2026.

Research theme: Coupling artificial intelligence and simulation-optimization for numeric forest management planning. This research project analyses forest inventory data from two time points, approximately 10 years apart, to detect and characterize different harvesting practices, such as clearcuts and thinning, in a large forest landscape of about 200000 hectares. Simultaneously, conventional simulation based approaches project forest development resulting from various management alternatives. Using this database, the research compares the simulated alternatives to the realized management to determine the management regime of the numerous forest owners in the landscape. The research applies deep learning and generative AI approaches to identify spatial drivers of forest management and predict natural processes and harvesting. The main scientific objective is to advance the understanding of how socioeconomic, demographic, and biophysical factors interact to shape timber harvesting patterns from the scale of individual forest holdings to regions. Ultimately the aim is to better capture the forest owners decision-making aspects and ensure that our predictive scenarios reflect real-world preferences and constraints.

Read detailed description on the DP-FOBI website.

Supportive supervision by experienced researchers, an encouraging interdisciplinary research and work environment, comprehensive doctoral training and DP-FOBI activities (workshops, summer schools, research visits and secondments). Opportunity to become part of the FOBI research community and the research group of forest planning enabling collaboration within a vibrant interdisciplinary network and cooperation closely with industry and societal partners, enhancing the real-world impact of your research.

Employment relationship and salary

• Living allowance (EUR 3,200) – main part of the gross monthly salary.
• Mobility allowance (EUR 87 per month) for mobility-related private expenses.
• Family allowance (EUR 300 per month) for Doctoral researchers with a spouse and/or a dependent.
• Paid leave and an additional holiday bonus in summer.
• Travel allowance (EUR 1,500 per year) allocated for conference travel and an additional allowance (EUR 10,500 in total) for travel to secondments and short visits.
• Research costs (EUR 6,000 in total) allocated for costs such as lab consumables, data collection, publication, etc.
• Special needs allowance and support are available, if needed.

The position will be filled for a fixed term of four years. Total working time is 1612 hours per year. A probationary period of four months applies to all new staff members.

Benefits and support services

• Access to the national healthcare system.
• High-quality, affordable childcare and school services.
• Extensive occupational health care, a broad selection of staff training and staff discount on lunch in campus restaurants.

Requirements and expectations

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in forestry or data science, computer science, applied mathematics, statistics, geoinformation sciences, or a closely related field – not have a doctoral degree at the time of the call deadline.
• Meet MSCA mobility rule: less than 12 months in Finland during past 3 years.
• Fulfil the language skills requirements of the Doctoral Programme of in Science, Forestry and Technology at UEF.
• Experience in simulation and optimization systems for forest planning or natural resources planning.
• Demonstrated numeric skills and ability to implement computations (preferably in a programming or scripting environment such as R).
• Hands-on experience with deep learning and generative AI methods (advantage, not required).
• Studies from a scientific field relevant for the role described above.
• Ability to work in international and multidisciplinary research teams.
• Demonstrated scientific writing, communication and presentation capabilities.
• Ability to work independently.

Tasks and Responsibilities

At the time of signing the employment contract, the recruited researcher must be enrolled in the UEF Doctoral Programme of in Science, Forestry and Technology, which leads to the award of a doctoral degree. Admission to the doctoral programme requires a research plan, which the selected candidate will prepare in collaboration with their supervisors shortly after being accepted to DP-FOBI.

The main tasks of the doctoral researcher include conducting dissertation research, and completing the required doctoral studies, including DP-FOBI training such as workshops and summer schools. The researcher will also prepare an individual study plan and career development plan to build advanced expertise, and is encouraged to participate in secondments, research visits, collaborative projects, and dissemination and exploitation activities.

Contact

For further information on the application requirements and procedure, please contact Project Manager Paula Inkeroinen at [e-mail] or send an email to [e-mail].

About the Faculty and University

The Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology operates on the Kuopio and Joensuu campuses of the University of Eastern Finland. The mission of the faculty is to carry out internationally recognised scientific research and to offer research-education in the fields of natural sciences, forestry and technology. The faculty invests in all of the strategic research areas of the university. The faculty's environments for research and learning are international, modern and multidisciplinary. The faculty has approximately 2650 Bachelor's and Master's degree students and some 440 postgraduate students. The number of staff amounts to 650.

The University of Eastern Finland (UEF) is the most multidisciplinary university in Finland. Our university employs approximately 3200 employees, and our community includes approximately 17000 degree students and 16000 adult education students. Our campuses are located in Joensuu and Kuopio. We represent the world's cutting edge of research in many fields and produce research-based knowledge, which is made openly available to benefit everyone.

Learn more about our university at www.uef.fi/en.