Postdoc Researcher in the project “Stream biodiversity under change” in Oulanka Research Station, University of Oulu, Finland

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 3,600 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based education to build a more sustainable, smarter, and more humane world. The University of Oulu community has about 17,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations.  

We are looking for a highly motivated early-career Postdoc Researcher with a background in community ecology, freshwater ecology or limnology for a project that uses several long-term data sets, allowing up to 40-year perspective to stream biodiversity change.

We will also use shorter (up to 4 years) data sets on ecosystem process rates to relate inter-annual variation in ecosystem processes to variation in benthic biodiversity and abiotic variables in 30 streams spanning a gradient from near-pristine to heavily impacted sites. We also plan to use spatially replicated data with more than 1000 streams in Finland and other Nordic countries to assess biological responses to land use intensification. These unique data sets help us evaluate if boreal stream biodiversity has responded positively to water quality improvement and whether this ‘management credit’ overshadows climatic and land-use debts.

The spearhead project of the Kvantum Institute will be based at Oulanka Research Station and Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, which allows access to state-of-the-art facilities, and it will be conducted in close collaboration with researchers from the Finnish Environment Institute. The postdoc will become a member of the Stream Ecology research group of the University of Oulu (www.streamecology.wordpress.com). The project offers a great opportunity to become part of international networks of senior freshwater scientists, postdocs, and PhD students working on similar study questions.

Postdoc researcher task description

Your tasks include data compilation, statistical analyses and species distribution modelling, data visualisation, writing of manuscripts, and oral presentations at international conferences. A successful candidate is also expected to contribute to teaching in (aquatic) ecology courses and supervision of both doctoral and undergraduate students.

You should hold a recent PhD degree (no more than 10 years) in ecology or limnology, with several publications in high-standard international journals. You should also possess advanced skills in statistical analyses, preferably using R. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are also required. Experience on one or more stream organism groups (particularly benthic invertebrates, diatoms, and/or microbes) is considered beneficial. As part of the research will use stream mesocosms, a firm understanding of the principles of experimental design and data analysis is required.

Salary

The contract should start on 1st January, 2025. It will initially be restricted to two years, with a possible extension. The salary is 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). Starting gross salary will be about 3600-3900 € per month. 

Regular salary is paid 12 months a year, including paid leave and an additional holiday bonus in the summer.

We offer

• Wellness benefit (ePassi) covering sport, culture and well-being services. Read more about other staff benefits
• Buddy Programme and Spouse Network that supports you and your 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
• Workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us. Finland is one of the most liveable 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.

How to apply

Please apply by 8 November, 2024 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system. The application should be written in English and include the following documents:

• CV (max 2 pages)
• List of publications
• Motivation letter (max 2 pages)
• Certificates/diplomas
• Teaching portfolio
• Contact information of two references.

The most promising candidates will be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified of the result of the selection process. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, such as people of different genders and members of different language, cultural or minority groups.

Contact Information

for further inquiries, please contact

Riku Paavola, Senior Researcher (Station Manager, Assoc. Prof.), University of Oulu, Oulanka Research Station, riku.paavola@oulu.fi

Timo Muotka, Professor, University of Oulu Ecology & Genetics Research Unit, timo.muotka@oulu.fi

Kaisa-Leena Huttunen, Senior Research Scientist, Finnish Environment Institute, Nature Solutions; kaisa-leena.huttunen@syke.fi

1. Riku Kullervo Paavola,