Postdoctoral Researcher, Extreme Climate Events, Hydrology, and Carbon Cycling in Northern Environments.

We are now looking for a

Postdoctoral Researcher

to join our project investigating how extreme climatic events, such as heatwaves, droughts, winter warming episodes, and rain‑on‑snow events, shape hydrology and carbon cycling in high‑latitude northern ecosystems. These extreme events are increasing in frequency and extent across the Arctic and can trigger rapid ecological responses that surpass the impacts of gradual, long‑term warming.

Understanding these processes requires the integration of detailed site‑level observations with large‑scale data synthesis. Our project combines both approaches to reveal how short‑term climatic extremes alter water flow, soil conditions, vegetation dynamics, and ecosystem carbon fluxes across northern environments.

Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering research unit, at the Faculty of Technology, carries out research on land, water and energy systems and their interaction. Climate change, environmental degradation and energy transition are societal challenges that motivate the research to find sustainable solutions. Our water research includes a strong focus on water engineering, hydrological modelling, hydrological process, groundwater, water quality, water supply and protection. It also includes studies of ecosystem and vegetation dynamics and how these interact with hydrology and climate. This research involves studies at Oulanka research station as well as other northern sites and how data from these boreal sites compares with long-term monitoring data from low- and high-arctic sites in Greenland. An effort to study vegetation and ecosystem dynamics along this gradient, with a focus on how climatic driven extreme events as drivers have recently been supported by the Kvantum Institute Spearhead program as well as the Flagship DIWA, leading to the following announcement.

Job description

You will work with extensive datasets from multiple Arctic and sub‑Arctic research sites, complemented by large climate, hydrology and ecological databases. The main tasks include data mining, harmonizing, and analysing these diverse data sources to identify how specific extreme climatic events alter water flow, soil conditions, vegetation dynamics, and carbon fluxes. Such disturbances can influence both vertical exchanges between ecosystems and the atmosphere and the lateral transport of carbon through hydrological pathways.

You will join a collaborative research team investigating how abrupt climatic events shape ecosystem carbon balance, including processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and the export of dissolved organic carbon. Your work will contribute to developing an integrated, multi‑site understanding of the Net Ecosystem Carbon Balance (NECB) at both catchment and regional scales.

Key Responsibilities:

• Compile and manage datasets from long-term monitoring sites across northern landscapes.
• Extract and calculate indicators of extreme events from reanalysis products (e.g., heatwaves, rain on snow events).
• Analyse carbon cycling and hydrological responses before, during, and after extreme events.
• Contribute to multi-site synthesis to understand regional patterns and drivers.
• Publish findings in international peer-reviewed journals and present results at conferences.

What we offer?

• We offer you an interesting and versatile position in a strong research unit in water, hydrological and ecosystem research and the possibility to develop professionally with the help of an experienced and enthusiastic team.
• Regular salary is paid 12 months per year, including paid leave and an additional holiday bonus in the summer.
• 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 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.

Who are you?

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

• Doctoral degree in data science, geoscience, biogeochemistry, environmental science, ecology, engineering or equivalent experience. The doctoral degree must have been completed by the closing date for applications. The doctoral degree must have been received no more than 10 years ago.
• Experience in handling large observational and/or modelling datasets, and statistical data analysis is a requirement.
• Ability for independent scientific work
• Teaching skills
• Strong English language skills both in oral and written communication
• Demonstrated track record in scientific writing and publishing

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

• Experience from machine and deep learning data analysis
• Experience from field work campaigns
• Supervision of students and teaching and applying for external funding

Salary

The duration of the fixed-term position is for 36 months, beginning on 1st of June 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter). A trial period of 6 months is applied in the position.

The salary will be based on level 5 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 (maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). Typical monthly salary for a starting postdoctoral researcher is 3800-4000 € (before taxes).

Applications and selection process

Apply online latest on 16 March 2026 (23:59 Finnish time). The application should be written in English and include the following documents:

1. A cover letter with contact information
2. Curriculum vitae following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
3. List of publications following the guidelines of the Academy of Finland
4. Brief account of research merits linked to this position (max 2 pages)
5. Contact details of 2–3 persons available for recommendation

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

Further details are available

In your contact, include: Professor Torben R. Christensen, torben.christensen(at)oulu.fi and Associate Professor Hannu Marttila, hannu.marttila(at)oulu.fi.

We are looking forward to your application!