Postdoctoral Researcher in Biodiversity Science

University of Helsinki; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Helsinki invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral researcher position in biodiversity science at the Viikki Campus, Helsinki. The successful candidate will study how species co-occurrence patterns shift with global change, including temporal and spatial extent, contributing to long-term ecological data analyses within REC.

We seek a PhD in ecology or biostatistics with strong statistical skills, experience with large biodiversity datasets, and a track record of

Qualifications

• PhD in ecology, biostatistics or a related field
• Strong conceptual and statistical skills
• Experience with large and complex biodiversity datasets
• Ability to analyse diverse field-collected biodiversity data sets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Independence and creativity; ability to conceive, execute and complete research projects
• Ability to work in a collaborative team

Responsibilities

• Assess patterns of species co-occurrence under global change
• Investigate temporal (phenology) and spatial (range) shifts and their effect on assemblages
• Contribute to developing research questions and analyses
• Work as part of the REC Centre team to deliver results

Skills

Statistical analysis

Data analysis

Scientific writing

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in ecology or biostatistics

Job description

The Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme invite applications for a postdoctoral researcher in biodiversity science for a fixed term of 2 years. The position is located at the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Viikki Campus, Helsinki.

About The Position

The post doc position is part of the Research Centre for Ecological Change (REC) and is funded by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation. PIs of the Centre are prof. Anna-Liisa Laine, prof. Tomas Roslin, prof. Marjo Saastamoinen and prof. Jarno Vanhatalo. There is some flexibility in the starting date, but the candidate selected should start as soon as possible and ideally by late 2026.

The overreaching aim of REC is to generate a coordinated analysis of long-term ecological data to understand the drivers and consequences of global change on biodiversity. To unravel how populations, interactions between species in natural communities and their effects on ecosystem functioning are responding to ongoing environmental change, the project takes advantage of the unique long-term datasets collected in Finland. REC also develops state-of-the-art methodology for analysing long-term spatially structured data sets within a joint species distribution modelling framework.

The person we are looking for

We are now seeking a postdoctoral researcher to assess how patterns of species co-occurrence are shifting with global change. We are particularly interested in how shifts in temporal occurrence (phenology) and spatial occurrence (range shifts at different scales) combine into generating new species assemblages at any given time and place. The successful candidate will contribute to developing the specific research questions. To this aim, we seek candidates who have completed a PhD in ecology, biostatistics or a related field, have strong conceptual and statistical skills, and experience of working with large and complex datasets. The degree requirement must be met by the beginning of the employment. The position requires the ability to analyse diverse field-collected biodiversity data sets, a solution‑oriented mindset, and enthusiasm for research. Excellent written and verbal communication skills (as documented by first‑authored papers), independence, and creativity are required, alongside the ability to conceive, execute, and complete research projects. The postdoc will work as part of a collaborative team at the Centre, and strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential.

Salary and how to apply for the position

The salary of the successful candidate will be based on level 5 of the demands level chart for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The starting salary will be ca. 3700 euros/month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. There will be a trial period of six months in the beginning of the employment.

The deadline for submitting the application is October 19 (at 23:59 EEST).

For more information, contact by email

Professor Tomas Roslin (tomas.roslin(at)helsinki.fi), Professor Jarno Vanhatalo (jarno.vanhatalo(at)helsinki.fi); please address both at the same time.

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