Research Coordinator, Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Technology.

We are now looking for a

Research coordinator

to join us at Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering research unit at the Faculty of Technology.

The Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering research unit carries out research on land, water and energy systems and their interaction. Climate change, environmental degradation and energy transition are societal challenges motivating research to find sustainable solutions. Our water research team has 110 researchers in 4 research groups with a strong focus on various aspects of water engineering, including hydrological modelling, cold climate hydrology, hydrological process studies, groundwater research, water quality, water management, water supply, treatment, and protection. In hydrology, the research includes studies at our research stations and super sites in the Finnish Arctic with a unique and developing infrastructure.

We are active in interdisciplinary studies in Finland and different regions abroad, with studies on climate, land, energy and water analysis, modelling and management. Much of the funding is from competitive sources in Finland and EU. The research coordinator position is linked to a large scale and long-term Finnish research and impact Flagship called Digital Waters (digitalwaters.fi).  

Job description

You will work in the Digital Waters Flagship research area, developing its research and project portfolio, in collaboration with different international and national research projects and partners. The work also includes different research and management tasks in Digital Waters Flagship including research plan development and follow-up, project monitoring and reporting, project coordination and management tasks. You will also assist senior staff, postdoctoral researchers and doctoral researchers in their application development work for national and international funding agencies.

We are looking for a talented person to work in our coordination team with a strong background in one or several areas of project leadership, project development, grant writing and/or project management. Your background can be from environmental science, engineering or management related topics. We encourage visionary individuals with different backgrounds and experiences to apply. Depending on your background and interest, the work can include some research tasks and publishing when relevant. 

Who are you?

To succeed in the position, you are required to have:

• Doctoral degree in water resources, environmental engineering, geosciences, environmental science, or equivalent experience
• Excellent skills in project development, project coordination and/or research proposal writing from competitive funding bodies (e.g. EU, Academy of Finland)
• Excellent English language skills both in oral and written communication
• Experience in scientific writing and communication.

We also appreciate the following know-how and experience in:

• International experience and networking skills
• Knowledge of research areas and networks linked to the Digital Waters Flagship
• Experienced in working in an interdisciplinary setting with researchers and stakeholders
• Knowledge of Finnish language is an advantage.

When fulfilling a position, the following criteria are evaluated:

• Experience as project leader and/or grant writer
• Scientific activities and their reflection in the publication record
• Acquisition of competitive research funds
• International scientific activities and contacts
• Academic and societal relevance and potential of activities

What we offer

We offer you an interesting and versatile position being part of a large digital water research cluster (digitalwaters.fi). You will be part of a strong research group and have the possibility to develop professionally with the help of an experienced and enthusiastic teams at University of Oulu. You will work in close collaboration with an international team of professional researchers as well as early career researchers. 

University of Oulu offers

• Possibilities for flexible work via well-established practices and agreements for flexible working hours, part-time working and teleworking.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits. 
• Development and career options of the big organization.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and close-ones in settling into Oulu.
• We have a HR Excellence in Research -quality label which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers. 
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, excellent education system, and competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Salary

The duration of the fixed-term position is 3 years, beginning on 1st of January 2025 (or as soon as possible). A trial period of 6 months is applied in the position.

The salary will be based on the level 9-11 of the requirement level chart for other expert and support staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). Typical monthly salary is 4200 - 5100 € (before taxes).

Applications and selection process

Apply online latest by November 10th, 2025 (23:59 Finnish time). The application should be written in English and include the following documents:

1. A letter of motivation with contact information (1-2 pages),
2. Curriculum vitae (max 6 pages) following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity.
3. List of publications following the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland 
4. Brief account of merits linked to this position (2-3 pages)
5. A copy of the applicant’s Doctoral and Master of Science degree diplomas, or, if not available at the time of application, a statement from the applicant and their supervisor(s) regarding the expected completion date.
6. Contact details of 2–4 persons available for recommendation.

The eligible applicants fitting best in the expected research profile may be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified when the selection process is completed.

Further details are available from

Professor Bjørn Kløve, bjorn.klove(at)oulu.fi