The Meteorological and Marine Research Programme is seeking a postdoctoral researcher for a fixed-term three-year position in Helsinki to conduct research on convective storms and severe weather in a changing climate to support business adaptation.
Your task will be to improve the predictability of hazardous convective storms and severe weather by using reanalyses, forecasting models at different spatial and temporal scales, observational datasets, Finland’s unique impact database, and artificial intelligence applications. Communicating research results to different target groups is an essential part of the position to enhance awareness of regional risks. The aim is to generate new scientific knowledge to support business and societal safety, enabling better preparedness for the types of severe convective storms, and weather hazards that may occur in boreal and Arctic regions in a warming climate.
You will study how severe convective storms and thunderstorms interact with their environment, and under what conditions they create hazardous weather events such as tornadoes, heavy rainfall, hail, downbursts, and lightning. The research will focus on key atmospheric processes, including large-scale and local circulation, troposphere–stratosphere interactions, and the influence of both built and natural environments. The research will address both current and future conditions, taking into account evolving risks.
At FMI you will collaborate internally with the Weather and Climate Change Impact Research unit, the Meteorological Research unit, and Weather Services experts as part of ongoing projects. International collaboration will include partners such as ESSL, EUMETSAT, and CMCC. In addition, you will produce scientific publications and take part in conferences, workshops, and seminars to present the results of your research.
You will be working in the Weather and Climate Change Impact Research unit of about 30 people. The unit is responsible for research activities related to the development of climate services. Research topics include, among others, questions related to climate change adaptation, seasonal forecasting methods, the societal and economic impacts of weather and climate change, as well as studies on past, present, and future climate datasets.
This postdoc position is part of Postdoctoral Programme for Research Institutes in Finland. The Programme is funded from the Finnish long-term research and development (R&D) plan. The Programme recruits 85 new postdoctoral researchers to 12 Finnish government research institutes between 2025 and 2028. The aim of the Programme is to strengthen R&D competence in areas important to society and business. Postdoctoral researchers will drive impactful, high-level research bridging science, industry, and administration. The Programme supports postdoctoral researcher’s networking and mobility between sectors. Read more here: https://tulanet.fi/postdoc/
The Meteorological and Marine Research Programme is seeking a postdoctoral researcher for a fixed-term three-year position in Helsinki to conduct research on convective storms and severe weather in a changing climate to support business adaptation.
Your task will be to improve the predictability of hazardous convective storms and severe weather by using reanalyses, forecasting models at different spatial and temporal scales, observational datasets, Finland’s unique impact database, and artificial intelligence applications. Communicating research results to different target groups is an essential part of the position to enhance awareness of regional risks. The aim is to generate new scientific knowledge to support business and societal safety, enabling better preparedness for the types of severe convective storms, and weather hazards that may occur in boreal and Arctic regions in a warming climate.
You will study how severe convective storms and thunderstorms interact with their environment, and under what conditions they create hazardous weather events such as tornadoes, heavy rainfall, hail, downbursts, and lightning. The research will focus on key atmospheric processes, including large-scale and local circulation, troposphere–stratosphere interactions, and the influence of both built and natural environments. The research will address both current and future conditions, taking into account evolving risks.
At FMI you will collaborate internally with the Weather and Climate Change Impact Research unit, the Meteorological Research unit, and Weather Services experts as part of ongoing projects. International collaboration will include partners such as ESSL, EUMETSAT, and CMCC. In addition, you will produce scientific publications and take part in conferences, workshops, and seminars to present the results of your research.
You will be working in the Weather and Climate Change Impact Research unit of about 30 people. The unit is responsible for research activities related to the development of climate services. Research topics include, among others, questions related to climate change adaptation, seasonal forecasting methods, the societal and economic impacts of weather and climate change, as well as studies on past, present, and future climate datasets.
This postdoc position is part of Postdoctoral Programme for Research Institutes in Finland. The Programme is funded from the Finnish long-term research and development (R&D) plan. The Programme recruits 85 new postdoctoral researchers to 12 Finnish government research institutes between 2025 and 2028. The aim of the Programme is to strengthen R&D competence in areas important to society and business. Postdoctoral researchers will drive impactful, high-level research bridging science, industry, and administration. The Programme supports postdoctoral researcher’s networking and mobility between sectors. Read more here: https://tulanet.fi/postdoc/
• A doctoral degree in atmospheric sciences, or other related disciplines
• The doctoral degree must have been obtained no more than five years ago (or up to ten years ago for special reasons). The position is suitable for both early-career and more experienced researchers. Candidates who have been granted permission to defend their thesis before the application deadline are also eligible.
• Strong skills in developing and applying research methods, conducting analyses, and reporting results
• Good programming skills and experience with computational methods (e.g. Python, Matlab)
• Experience in scientific publishing and participating in international research collaboration
• Good communication and collaboration skills, as well as the ability to work independently
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
Considered advantages
• Experience related to storms, severe weather, radar analyses, and climate change research
• Experience with qualitative research methods (e.g. surveys and interviews) or motivation to learn
• Experience in communication with society and authorities
• Experience in international projects
- English
- Speaking: Good
- Writing: Good
- Understanding: Good
We provide modern facilities and IT tools, good occupational healthcare services, an in-house lunch restaurant, and a wide range of cultural, sports, and wellness benefits (ePassi). We offer flexible working hours and partial remote work options, although regular in-office collaboration is also expected.
For more information, please contact Head of Unit, Research Professor Hilppa Gregow, hilppa.gregow@fmi.fi, tel. +358 9 1929 3510 (available by phone on 8 September 2025, 10:00-11:00 am.), or Director of Research Programme Sami Niemelä, sami.niemela@fmi.fi or tel. +358 50 573 7738 (available by phone on 9-10 September 2025, 10:00-11:00 am.).
Primarily, we request applicants to submit their applications electronically via the Valtiolle.fi service. However, you can also apply for this job by delivering your application to the Registry Office’s postal address. Both the application and the envelope must feature the ID number of the position applied for. The letter must be delivered by the end of the application period.
The Registry of the The Finnish Meteorological Institute
P.O.BOX 503 (Erik Palménin aukio 1, 00560 Helsinki) 00101 Helsinki
00560 Helsinki
The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) observes and studies the atmosphere, near space, and seas. It also provides services related to weather, marine conditions, climate, air quality, and near space to support public safety, the economy, and the general public. FMI operates under the administrative branch of the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
Location
Erik Palménin Aukio 1, 00560 Helsinki
You can work at one of our following locations
Erik Palménin aukio 1
00560 Helsinki
Other information of the position
Submit a short application with your CV, list of publications, and contact details of 1–3 referees by 25 September 2025. Interviews will take place as soon as possible after the application deadline.
Please note that applicants’ names and application materials are, by default, public information.
The FMI currently has four other Postdoctoral Researcher positions open within the state research institutes’ Postdoctoral Programme, advertised through the Valtiolle.fi recruitment service.
Read more:
Postdoctoral Researcher position, ID: 14799
Postdoctoral Researcher position, ID: 14818
Postdoctoral Researcher position, ID: 14820
Postdoctoral Researcher position, ID: 14821
