Postdoctoral Researcher, Ecology and Genetics

We seek for a highly motivated and skilled

Postdoctoral researcher

to join the lab of Associate Professor Anu Eskelinen (https://eskelinenresearch.com/) to work in Academy of Finland -funded Global Change Effects on Plant Metacommunities -project. The position is for two years.

Brief description of the project and position:

In this project, we investigate how global changes affect plant biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in a naturally fragmented grassland system in the archipelago of southern Finland and what are the roles of dispersal and spatial context mediating community and ecosystem responses to global changes. We combine spatially replicated global change treatments with plant functional traits and information about habitat size and connectivity, and integrate these with measuring plant community diversity and composition, multiple ecosystem functions and microbial diversity.

While being based at the University of Oulu, the successful candidate will work in collaboration with an international researcher team, including collaborators, for example, from University of Tartu, Estonia, University of California Davis, US, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research iDiv, Germany, and University of Helsinki, Finland.  

Your tasks:

• Plan, organize, and conduct field work in a grassland metacommunity system in the archipelago of southern Finland, Åland Islands, including establishing experimental global change manipulations
• Use existing plant community and trait data to model species occurrences and plant diversity in a metacommunity, and/or study links between plant biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in a metacommunity
• Publish research results in high-ranked scientific journals
• Participate BSc and/or MSc level teaching in Plant Biodiversity
• Co-supervise MSc and/or doctoral students and field assistants

What we expect from you:

• Doctoral degree in plant community ecology or equivalent field with background in plant biodiversity research (obtained within the past 10 years) and demonstrated ability to prepare independently high-impact manuscripts for international journals 
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Ability to travel and do field work in an international team
• Excellent communication and team skills
• Excellent and demonstrated statistical skills using software R
• Experience in some of the following: plant biodiversity research, experimental plant community ecology, global change research, ecosystem functioning, trait-based ecology
• Good grassland plant identification skills

Assessment of the applicants will be based on, acknowledging the content of the job, 1) overall fit to the above profile, 2) scientific publications, 3) motivation, 4) previous work experience, 5) national and international mobility and networking skills, and 5) other academic activities and merits.

We offer:

• Inspiring, novel, and ambitious project and study questions/system
• Enthusiastic and international researcher team and mentoring
• Possibilities for research visits and integration to a larger international community
• Possibility for a flexible combination of presence work and remote work (this can be negotiated, depending on the situation of the applicant and project demands)
• 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.
• Full benefits provided by the University of Oulu to university employees, including free time corresponding to holidays and free occupational health care services. The successful candidate will receive also benefits provided by the Finnish government to residents, for example possibility to obtain access to the national healthcare system, tax benefits for employees with children, and high-quality affordable childcare services
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits.
• 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 position is fixed term for 2 years and is filled as of 1.3.2024 (or as soon as possible thereafter, the start date is flexible and can be negotiated). 

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 (maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). The total salary for these levels (before tax) typically ranges from about 3 500 – 4 100 €/month for full-time employment depending on qualifications and performance.

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

How to apply:

Apply online latest on Friday 15.12.2023 at 23:59 (Finnish local time). Please include the following attachments in your application (all in English):

1. Cover letter (describing experience relevant to this position, research interests, motivation, general career goals and why this position is of interest to you)
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. List of publications
4. Copies of all relevant certificates (including doctoral degree certificate)
5. Contact information of two persons available for recommendation

Only applications submitted through the electronic application form will be considered.

For further information, please contact

anu.eskelinen(at)oulu.fi