Postdoctoral Researcher, Data Assimilation, Faculty of Water, Energy, and Environmental Engineering

We are now looking for

a Postdoctoral Researcher in Hydrologic Data Assimilation 

to join us in the Research unit at the Faculty of Water, Energy, and Environmental Engineering (WE3)

The  Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering research unit carries out research on land, water and energy resources, systems and their interaction. Our research team has 120 members in 5 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 Finland 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. We lead a large scale and long-term Finnish research and impact Flagship on Digital Waters to which this position is linked. In the flagship, we also include expert teams in ICT technologies and teams working on water, land and environmental digital applications. Our research is highly ranked in an international comparison. 

About the job

You will work in the Digital Waters (DIWA) Flagship research area, developing its research and innovation actions in collaboration with various international and national research projects and partners. The work involves the development of digital solutions with focus on data assimilation combining monitoring, modelling and data management in the process of creating digital twins. You will also collaborate and assist in doctoral education and research alongside other senior staff and professors. Some teaching and supervision of graduate students may also be considered. 

The primary objectives at DIWA are to develop a digital twin platform for water management systems, to explore various use cases related to water, employing physics-based and data-driven approaches to create models for detection, prediction, prescription, and proactive maintenance, and to integrate additional analyses and models into our digital twin services (such as what-if analysis) in the future. The Digital Twin Platform objectives are to allow researchers to share their data and developed models for water resource related use cases in a systematic and accessible manner, and to provide digital twin services for showcasing and technical pilot purposes. 

We are looking for a talented researcher with a strong background in earth system science (e.g. hydrology, geosciences, environmental engineering, or a closely related field) with demonstrated expertise in data assimilation methods and their application to hydrologic or Earth system models. You should have experience integrating process-based models with AI or machine learning approaches, proficiency in scientific programming (e.g., Python), geoscientific computing workflows and workflow automation, large data handling, and high-performance computing (HPC). Familiarity with remote sensing products, novel sensor networks, and the development of operational or near-real-time environmental forecasting systems is highly desirable. Ideally you are a clear communicator who can work across disciplinary boundaries, contributing to the design and implementation of scalable, operational data assimilation systems that integrate diverse observational data streams into large-scale hydrosphere models. 

Core responsibilities: 

• Work in a strong team of geoscientists and programmers focused on digitalization in water resources research and management. 
• Develop and manage different types of interrelated solutions for environmental monitoring, data handling, data fusion, and modeling, within a single interoperable digital platform. 
• Broader project management duties including collaboration and communication with international and national partner research projects and entities. 

Optional responsibilities: 

• Teach, supervise, and otherwise participate in the research and education of  graduate students. 

What we offer

We offer you an interesting and versatile position being part of a large digital water research cluster (digitalwaters.fi), comprised of over 200 experts in information technology, water and hydrological research. You will have the opportunity to develop professionally with the help of an experienced and enthusiastic team. You will also have access to our unique infrastructure where new studies can be initiated in collaboration with our team members. 

University of Oulu offers 

• The support of an experienced and enthusiastic team of people, where you can share your expertise and grow as an expert.
• 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.
• Development and career options of the big organization.
• 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.

Who are you?

To succeed as a postdoctoral researcher, you are required to have: 

• Doctoral degree in geosciences or elated science or engineering or other relevant fields. The doctoral degree must have been completed by the closing date for applications. The doctoral degree must be obtained no more than 10 years ago. 
• The ability for independent scientific work, as well as the teaching skills required for the position. 
• Strong experience in modelling, programming, APIs, big data management, and development with OGC practices and standards. 
• Proficiency in developing algorithms for data analysis, modeling, and forecasting Interest in hydrology and water resources engineering and/or water resources management. 
• Fluency in English, both in oral and written communication. 
• Experience in scientific writing and communication.

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

• Experience with High-Performance Computing (HPC) environments, parallel computing and distributed systems. 
• Experience in handling large observational and/or modelling datasets, and familiarity with data integration techniques and tools. 
•  Experience developing operational scientific software and tools, including experience with version control (e.g., Git), software engineering best practices, workflow and pipeline automation, containerization (e.g., Docker, Singularity), testing and continuous integration, and deployment of scalable applications in HPC and/or cloud environments. 
• International experience and networking skills. 

When assessing the candidate’s merits for the position of Postdoctoral Researcher, attention will be paid to scientific excellence, such as research outputs, international scientific activities and collaboration, supervision of undergraduate students, pedagogical competence, societal relevance, impact and potential of scientific activities, and services for the academic community. 

Salary

The position is fixed-term for 3 years as of 1st of May 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The salary will be based on the levels 5-6 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 starting gross salary will be approx. 3800-4300 € per month (before taxes).  

A trial period of 6 months is applied to the position.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by March 31^st 2026 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

The application should be written in English and include the following:

1. CV, following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity 
2. A letter of motivation with contact information (max 2 pages), 
3. List of publications, following the guidelines of the Academy of Finland 

The eligible applicants fitting best in the profile expected for the position will be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, such as people of different ages, different genders, and members of different linguistic, cultural, or minority groups. 

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact:

Dr. Elizabeth Carter , elizabeth.carter(at)oulu.fi 

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