Luke is looking for a Research Scientist, postdoc, boreal hydrology in changing climate, for a 3-year position. The task is related to hydrological modelling and data analysis, focusing on climate change impacts on managed boreal ecosystems.
This postdoc position is part of Postdoctoral Programme for Research Institutes in Finland. The programme is funded from the Finnish government's multi-annual research and development (R&D) funding 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 RDI competence in areas important to society and business. Postdoctoral researcher will conduct goal-oriented high-level research at the interface between the academic community, industry, and administration. The Programme supports postdoctoral researcher’s networking and mobility between sectors.
The selected person will also take part in Luke Doctoral and Postdoctoral Programme, which coordinates, develops, and monitors the qualification of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers at the Natural Resources Institute Finland.
Water availability will decline, and hydrological variability will intensify in rapidly warming Northern Europe. Water will thus become a central challenge – either as an enabler or a barrier – for the functionality, services, and resilience of terrestrial ecosystems, with direct implications for climate regulation. Hence, addressing the nexus between water and ecosystem services presents a significant challenge for achieving sustainable land use and management, offering interesting opportunities for high level and societally relevant science.
Hydrology is essential, for instance, for assessing climate change impacts on biomass growth and carbon sink, predicting drought risk and associated biotic disturbances, and developing climate change adaptation strategies in agriculture and forestry. Effective water and forest management strategies are also crucial for climate mitigation efforts and increasing forest productivity. Fair implementation of the EU restoration regulations requires the ability to predict the effects of hydrological restoration on ecosystem functions and greenhouse gas emissions.
To address these challenges, we aim to strengthen our hydrological expertise and enhance capabilities in predicting climate change impacts on managed boreal ecosystems. We are now seeking an expert to join our multi-disciplinary research team in this field.
Main duties and responsibilities are as follows:
1. Enhance Luke’s ability to model climate change impacts on water (and carbon) cycles up to the landscape level across forests, peatlands, and agricultural systems. This involves utilizing and advancing available climate data and process-based hydrological and ecosystem models.
2. Utilize semi-operational, high-resolution hydrological simulations on a supercomputing cluster at the national level. These simulations will predict hydrological fluxes and states, focusing on soil moisture, water table depth and runoff, leveraging open geospatial data and climate scenarios.
3. Evaluate the impacts of future hydroclimatic conditions on ecosystems, water resources and their management.
4. Engage in networking and collaboration across Luke, Finland, and EU-level projects, and contribute to national greenhouse gas inventory reporting improvements.
5. Publish the research outputs in high-level journals and open code repositories.
The research will be conducted in close collaboration with diverse research teams at Luke, the University of Helsinki, and the Digital Waters Flagship initiative (https://digitalwaters.fi/
http://www.luke.fi/en/about-luke/career-in-luke/luke-doctoral-and-postdoctoral-programme
Luke is looking for a Research Scientist, postdoc, boreal hydrology in changing climate, for a 3-year position. The task is related to hydrological modelling and data analysis, focusing on climate change impacts on managed boreal ecosystems.
This postdoc position is part of Postdoctoral Programme for Research Institutes in Finland.
The selected person will also take part in Luke Doctoral and Postdoctoral Programme, which coordinates, develops, and monitors the qualification of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers at the Natural Resources Institute Finland.
Water availability will decline, and hydrological variability will intensify in rapidly warming Northern Europe. Water will thus become a central challenge – either as an enabler or a barrier – for the functionality, services, and resilience of terrestrial ecosystems, with direct implications for climate regulation. Hence, addressing the nexus between water and ecosystem services presents a significant challenge for achieving sustainable land use and management, offering interesting opportunities for high level and societally relevant science.
Hydrology is essential, for instance, for assessing climate change impacts on biomass growth and carbon sink, predicting drought risk and associated biotic disturbances, and developing climate change adaptation strategies in agriculture and forestry. Effective water and forest management strategies are also crucial for climate mitigation efforts and increasing forest productivity. Fair implementation of the EU restoration regulations requires the ability to predict the effects of hydrological restoration on ecosystem functions and greenhouse gas emissions.
To address these challenges, we aim to strengthen our hydrological expertise and enhance capabilities in predicting climate change impacts on managed boreal ecosystems. We are now seeking an expert to join our multi-disciplinary research team in this field.
Main duties and responsibilities are as follows:
1. Enhance Luke’s ability to model climate change impacts on water (and carbon) cycles up to the landscape level across forests, peatlands, and agricultural systems. This involves utilizing and advancing available climate data and process-based hydrological and ecosystem models.
2. Utilize semi-operational, high-resolution hydrological simulations on a supercomputing cluster at the national level. These simulations will predict hydrological fluxes and states, focusing on soil moisture, water table depth and runoff, leveraging open geospatial data and climate scenarios.
3. Evaluate the impacts of future hydroclimatic conditions on ecosystems, water resources and their management.
4. Engage in networking and collaboration across Luke, Finland, and EU-level projects, and contribute to national greenhouse gas inventory reporting improvements.
5. Publish the research outputs in high-level journals and open code repositories.
The research will be conducted in close collaboration with diverse research teams at Luke, the University of Helsinki, and the Digital Waters Flagship initiative (https://digitalwaters.fi/
http://www.luke.fi/en/about-luke/career-in-luke/luke-doctoral-and-postdoctoral-programme
• Recently completed doctoral degree (typically no more than 5 years ago) in a relevant field, such as physical or Earth system sciences, meteorology, hydrology, water-resource engineering, ecosystems ecology, or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of terrestrial water and carbon cycles.
• Have strong expertise in numerical, process-based modelling, scientific programming (e.g., Python, Julia), and working with large geospatial datasets (e.g., Sentinel/Modis, digital elevation models).
• Show experience in integrating models and multi-scale datasets (e.g., model evaluation, calibration, sensitivity analysis) and applying model simulations to research questions or practical applications.
• Possess system analytical and algorithmic thinking
• Demonstrate a curious and collaborative mindset, strong research motivation, and eagerness to apply your skills to diverse computational challenges.
• Possess a good command of English, with a proven track record of publishing in high-quality peer-reviewed journals.
• Exhibit the ability and willingness to work independently in a multidisciplinary research team while learning new skills.
The person selected for the position might need to undergo standard security clearance vetting with the applicant’s consent (Security Clearance Act 726/2014). More detailed information on the procedure and the subject's rights is available at www.supo.fi.
Samuli Launiainen
Principal scientist
+358 29 532 5323
samuli.launiainen@luke.fi
Jari-Pekka Nousu
Research Scientist
+358 29 532 2996
jari-pekka.nousu@luke.fi
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 Natural Resources Institute Finland
Latokartanonkaari 9
00790 Helsinki, Finland
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is a research organisation that builds sustainable future and well-being from renewable natural resources. We create knowledge-based solutions and services for our customers and add value to a sustainable and competitive business based on renewable natural resources. We also support public policy making related to natural resources and the resource economy.
Luke's tasks and organisation are regulated in the Act on the Natural Resources Institute Finland (561/2014). Luke is operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland.
Being open-minded, curious, and having a strong will to make a positive impact in the world bind Luke people together. We value our diverse working community consisting of people with different backgrounds and cultures and promote equality. On this basis, we are building a cheerful and respectful culture in which everyone’s input is appreciated. Sustainability is included in all our operations.
Location
Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790 Helsinki
You can work at one of our following locations
Latokartanonkaari 9
00790 Helsinki
Other information of the position
