Postdoctoral Researcher in Atmosphere-Cryosphere-Hydrosphere- Interactions

We are now looking for

a Postdoctoral researcher

who will focus on Arctic Atmosphere-Cryosphere-Hydrosphere Interactions (ACHI) as part of the Digital Water Flagship program headquartered at the University of Oulu.

This postdoctoral researcher will join an interdisciplinary research team carrying out ACHI research in Finland, Scandinavia, Greenland and across the Arctic. Our Arctic Basin-wide program uses a network of year-round international research stations and data collection capabilities, and icebreaker-based measurements during expeditions in the eastern, central and western Arctic. Our studies are complemented by an entire cast of ancillary measurements from other agencies such as the Finnish Meteorological Institute, ship-based ocean and atmospheric properties, remote sensing via NASA and ESA as well as stream, river and lake properties in small and large watersheds across the north.

About the job

You will be working within the specific research group of the UArctic Research Chair Professor Jeffrey Welker at UOulu (Arctic Ecology and Biogeochemistry research group leader) and under the umbrella of the Digital Waters Flagship arena. You will be focusing on ACHI studies using in part our extensive multi-year water vapor, ocean water, and precipitation isotope (¹⁸ O ²H, d-excess) data sets to resolve issues such as:

1. a) how do patterns in atmospheric moisture transport, extreme events, and combinations of sea ice conditions control the production of moisture, and the spatial and temporal distribution of freshwater (snow and rain) across the north?
2. b) what are the processes and interactions that control the evolution of snow pack properties across the Nordic region, W Europe and the entire north as they relate to freshwater resource delivery, and
3. c) how can the application of understanding the modern water isotope attributes be applied to climate proxy (i.e ice cores, tree & shrub ring, sediment cores) records of past climate interpretations that can then be applied to forecasting future water resource conditions.

These studies will leverage our existing collaborations across Finland, Scandinavia, Greenland and the USA as well as those with the Swedish Polar Research Secretariate (Oden icebreaker), the US Coast Guard (Healy icebreaker) and the US NSF (Sikuliaq icebreaker). You will have opportunities to devise new and creative ways in which to development state-of-the-art Digital Twins of ACHI including hind sight, real-time and forecasting of the Pan Arctic water isotope cycle visualizations. In addition, you will work towards delivering real-time data to local, regional and international scientific and managerial end users. You will also have opportunities to develop applications that involve AI, Machine Learning and tools that will allow decision support activities by end users. You will also collaborate and assist in UOulu´s doctoral education and research alongside other senior staff and professors. Some teaching instruction, such as in PhD course may also be possible.

 Who are you?

We expect from you:

• A PhD and prior postdoctoral experience in atmospheric, marine, sea/land ice, and or ecosystem stable isotope geochemistry, or related disciplines within the last 10 years. The PhD degree must be obtained before the start of the contract, but no more than 10 years ago.
• Demonstrated effective writing skills through high-quality publications, as senior and co-author including some international experience and networking with colleagues within Scandinavia, North America and or W Europe. As well as, demonstrated oral communication skills as evidenced by oral and poster presentations at national and international meeting such as EGU and AGU and experience in providing guest lectures in university or college settings.
• Demonstrated capability to work independently and in collaboration with colleagues across a range of Arctic earth and associated science disciplines.
• You should have skills in big data management including large observational and/or modelling datasets and familiarity with data integration techniques and tools including numerous parameters and aspects of the water cycle. Such as working with synoptic weather data, sea ice and hydrologic data along with using machine learning and AI tools as well as coding experience in R, Python and related packages.
• Experience with High-Performance Computing (HPC) environments, parallel computing and distributed systems are important capabilities for this position.
• Fluent in English, both in oral and written communication.

We also appreciate applicants that have:

• Prior us of meteorological and reanalysis data in the studies of the Arctic’s water cycle processes along with the use of back trajectory modelling programs such as HYSPLIT, Lagrangian and or Potential Source Contribution Factor analysis to understand source-sink transport relationships.
• Experience with data visualization, UI (User Interface) development tools and frameworks, and ability to design and implement user-friendly, interactive and intuitive visualizations.
• Experience or familiarity in the use of information technology such as development of digital tools and twins.

What we offer?

We offer you the opportunity to be a member of a internationally recognized research group and the chance to be part of a World-class Flagship program focused on the Arctic’s water cycle and its behavior and its dominant role in the function and structure of the north.

• You will have the opportunity to contribute to a large digital water research community within Finland (digitalwaters.fi) and across the north.
• You will have the opportunity to develop professionally with the assistance of an experienced and enthusiastic team including participation in local, national, regional and international meetings and workshops.
• You will also have access to our unique infrastructure (Arctic Water Isotope Network-AWIN) and intense site-based studies across the North including Pallas, Oulanka, & in Sodankylä Finland, on Svalbard (Zeppelin Observatory, Greenland (Thule and Nord Stations) and Alaska (Barrow, Toolik, Caribou Poker NEON sites ) where new studies can be initiated in collaboration with our team members.
• This is an in-person position, with the possibility of flexible working hours via well-established practices and agreements and local 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 Program and Spouse Network support you and 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.
• 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.

Appointment and Salary

The duration of the fixed-term position is 3 years, beginning ideally on the 1st of January 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter).

The salary will be based on levels 5-6 of the requirement 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. 3800-4200 € per month (before taxes).

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

How to apply?

Apply online latest on September 15, 2025 (23:59 Finnish time). The application should be written in English and include the following documents:

• A letter of motivation with contact information (max 2 pages),
• Curriculum vitae (max 4 pages) following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity.
• List of publications following the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland
•  A copy of the applicant’s past degrees and diplomas with the transcript of records, or, if the degree is not available at the time of application, a statement from the applicant and their supervisor(s) regarding the expected completion date.
• Contact details of 3 persons available for recommendations.

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

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

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact

Professor Jeff Welker:  jeffrey.welker@oulu.fi or jmwelker@alaska.edu