The University of Oulu is an international science university creating new knowledge, well-being and innovation for the future through multidisciplinary research and education. Close cooperation with research institutes, companies and the public sector has created an internationally significant research and innovation hub that has changed the world. Every day 2.6 billion people use technology developed in Oulu. In addition, the university’s location close to the Arctic offers unique conditions for a wide variety of research.

The Ecology and Genetics Research Unit is opening a 2-year position for a postdoctoral researcher to work on Arctic water-carbon interactions. The position will be based in the Arctic Ecology and Biogeochemistry research group lead by Professor Jeffrey Welker, UArctic Research Chair (https://www.oulu.fi/university/researcher/jeff-welker).

The Ecology and Genetics Research Unit’s (https://www.oulu.fi/ecology/) research emphases include: Ecosystem and Biogeochemical processes, Conservation and sustainable use of natural resources (e.g. freshwater, forest, wildlife); Interactions between organism of different trophic levels; Population and community ecology; Population and ecological genomics; and Biodiversity genomics and DNA-barcoding.

The unit has excellent laboratory facilities, including growth chambers, clean laboratory, ecological, molecular biology, microbiological and in vitro laboratories. Oulanka Research Station, Krunni Field Station and accesses to the collaborative infrastructures of research institutes offer further possibilities to facilitate field studies both nationally and internationally.

Work description

A postdoctoral scientist is being recruited to strengthen an interdisciplinary team in the study of water-carbon interactions in the High Arctic.  The programme of research aims to link atmospheric-cryosphere-hydrologic-landscape and marine processes in the region of NyAlesund, in NW Spitsbergen.   He/she will have access to existing real-time water vapor isotope data from the Zeppelin Observatory, event-based precipitation isotope data from NyAlesund and snow isotope values from the surrounding region plus additional earth and biological science data sets via prior and new field campaigns (i.e. ecosystem respiration, riverine and fjord DOC). He/she will be carving out a portion of the research endeavours being undertaken by the research team depending on his/her specific interest and experience. 

Expertise in ecosystem or landscape ecology, biogeochemistry, stable isotope geochemical tracers (e.g. δ¹⁸O/δ²H & Δ¹⁴C), big data management and synthesis as well as spatial modelling and time-series analysis are desirable skills. Collaborations within the Arctic Interactions (ArcI) programmes at UOulu, including on-going studies at Pallas Atmosphere Ecosystem Supersite, Finland and with international partners from the US, Italy and Norway will be a cornerstone of the fellowship and project. The successful candidate will be encouraged to include in his/her work a research mobility period (up to 6 months) at a foreign research institute or university. The host institution may be proposed in a motivation letter by the applicant or may be selected during the work with the leader of the research group.

The position is funded by ‘Arctic Interactions and Global Change (ArcI)’ – a scientific profile area of UOulu. ArcI promotes cross-faculty and multidisciplinary cooperation through recruitment and mobility programmes, seed money actions and science events. The ArcI postdoc programme will fund talented researchers from a variety of disciplines to strengthen the current community of Arctic researchers at UOulu. This open position will be linked especially to the ArcI theme 1: Global change and northern environments (http://www.oulu.fi/arci).  

Qualifications

• PhD in Ecosystem or Landscape Ecology, Biogeochemisty, or a related discipline, obtained within the past 10 years.
• Demonstrated experience in ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, stable isotope geochemical tracers (e.g. δ¹⁸O/ δ ²H & Δ¹⁴C), big data management and synthesis, atmospheric transport modelling, ice core climate reconstructions, trophic interactions, spatial modelling, time-series analysis, use and operation of Picarro water vapour or liquid water analysers are desirable skills.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Strong and consistent record of scientific publishing in the top journals of the research field.

Assessment of the applicants’ qualifications will be based on the following criteria acknowledging the content of the job: scientific publications, previous work experience, activity in the scientific community, national and international mobility, and other academic merits.

Terms of employment

The duration of the position is 2 years, beginning on August 1, 2020 (or as soon as possible thereafter). A six-month trial period will be applied to the position.

The salary is in accordance with the university salary system (for teaching and research personnel) level 5 of the demand level chart (postdoctoral researcher). In addition to the basic salary, supplementary salary will be paid for personal achievement and performance, the sum rising to a maximum of 50% of the basic salary level for the post. The typical salary for a starting postdoctoral fellow is €3,300 per month but may be larger for exceptional candidates pending experience and qualifications.

How to apply

Applications, together with all relevant enclosures, should be submitted online by April 30, 2020 at 23:59 (Finnish local time).

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

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

1. A motivation letter summarizing applicant’s professional experience and expertise and describing why applicant is interested in about this position. Also information on personal research interests and career plans are valuable to provide here (max. 3 pages).

2. A curriculum vitae (max. 4 pages) in accordance with the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (https://www.tenk.fi/en/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae).

3. A publication list based on the guidelines of the Academy of Finland (https://www.aka.fi/en/funding/apply-for-funding/ list-of-publications/).

4. Names and contact information of two persons for possible references.

For further information, please contact:

Professor Jeffrey Welker, +358 50 505 7636, jmwelker@alaska.edu
Arctic Ecology and Biogeochemistry Research Group, Ecology and Genetics Research Unit,
Faculty of Science, University of Oulu.