We are looking for a Researcher/Doctoral researcher to work in a research project “Freshwater microbes in the warming Arctic: Insights on diversity, community assembly and ecosystem functions” (FRAMES) funded by the Research Council of Finland. Specifically, the researcher will concentrate on how various aspects of microbial functions are related to climate, land use, and other explanatory variables in Circum-Arctic freshwater ecosystems. The biological groups studied include, at least, diatoms, bacteria and fungi. The detailed study questions can be chosen based on the researcher’s background and interest.

The tasks of the researcher include field and laboratory work, handling of large datasets, statistical analyses, and writing of scientific manuscripts to be published in peer-reviewed journals and as part of the researcher’s PhD thesis. Field work will take place in Arctic study areas, e.g. in Finland and Canada. Other tasks include science communication.

The researcher will apply for doctoral study rights from the University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS) soon after the work in Syke has started. The researcher prepares a PhD thesis during the project, and commits to carrying out the doctoral studies required by UniOGS. Supervisors for the doctoral studies are Dr., Doc. Annika Vilmi (Syke), Dr., Doc. Heikki Mykrä (Syke), and Professor Anna Maria Pirttilä (Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu).

The task will be positioned to the Nature solutions unit, to the Freshwater ecology group, in the Syke’s Oulu office. We offer you modern working conditions in a multi‑space work environment.

A successful applicant will hold, or is very close to graduating, a Master’s degree from the field of ecology, limnology, microbial ecology, or similar. We also require that the applicant commits oneself to the doctoral studies and acquiring a PhD degree.

The applicant should have interest in aquatic community ecology and experience on field and/or laboratory work and on statistical analyses with the R software. Knowledge or experience on bioinformatics and molecular methods (isolation of nucleic acids, high-throughput sequencing) in community ecology research is considered as an advantage. Likewise, a deeper knowledge on a specific aquatic biological group (e.g. species identification and ecology) is considered as an advantage.

We expect the selected person to be prepared to work independently and at the same time be part of a multidisciplinary and international research team. We value active participation in various tasks of the project, good interpersonal skills and cooperation skills. The applicant should be able to work in the field and must be prepared to travel, both in Finland and internationally. A driver’s license is considered as an advantage.

The applicant should have good written and oral English language skills.

In this position, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills as a researcher in an inspiring, multidisciplinary research environment and produce a doctoral thesis on a timely research topic using cutting-edge research methods.

Syke has a culture that supports learning and offers the opportunity for versatile competence development. We have flexible working hours and flexible remote working practices. We offer sports and culture benefits, subsidised lunch in contract canteens and comprehensive occupational health care.

Annika Vilmi, Researcher
+358 50 597 3540
annika.vilmi@syke.fi

Satu Maaria Karjalainen, Group manager
+358 40 751 0073
satu.maaria.karjalainen@syke.fi

Finnish Environment Institute registry

Latokartanonkaari 11
00790 Helsinki, Finland

The Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) is a national research institute dedicated to building a sustainable society through science, knowledge, and services. Our research and development work is solution-driven, and we pursue high-impact results with ambition. We operate multidisciplinarily and collaborate extensively with partners in Finland and around the world.

We work to halt biodiversity loss, mitigate climate change, and improve environmental quality. Our research develops innovative solutions to sustainability challenges across energy systems, food systems, production systems, land use, and the built environment. We place strong emphasis on the fairness, acceptability, and economic sustainability of the green transition, as well as societal security and resilience. We recognize that meaningful sustainability transitions require coherent and long-term policy action.

Syke encourages creativity and experimentation, especially when developing new research-based solutions. We value constructive collaboration, diversity, and inclusive working practices. Approximately 650 researchers and experts work at Syke’s offices in Helsinki, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, and Oulu. A significant share of our work is enabled through competitive project funding.

• More information: Applicants are asked to attach:
  1) a CV based on the template of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (http://www.tenk.fi/en/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae),
  2) a motivation letter in Finnish or in English (max one page), and
  3) a transcript of records.
  The documents are asked to be attached in .pdf format.
  
  Interviews are planned to be held during the weeks 14 and 15 in March and April.
  
  Fairness, responsibility, community, independence, and reliability are our core values. We actively promote diversity and equal opportunities and welcome applications from candidates with a wide range of backgrounds.
  
  Syke is committed to Finland’s national Open Science policy in researcher recruitment. We also adhere to responsible research evaluation, guided by Syke’s own principles for assessing scientific work.
  
  Additional information:
  Web pages: www.syke.fi
  Instagram: @sykeresearch
  Linkedin: Finnish Environment Institute (Syke)
• Level of position: Specialists
• Remote work: Possibility to work remotely
• Description of the remote work: We operate in a hybrid work model, with staff working on-site at least eight days per month, according to Syke’s guidelines.
• Reason for fixed-term employment: Nature of work
• Additional info about fixed-term employment: fixed-term project
• Working time format: Office working hours
• Working time format explanation: flexible working hours
• Trial period: A probationary period of six months may be applied.
• Remuneration information: The total salary for the person starting in the position is, depending on skills and experience, is EUR 3586-3797 per month. The position falls within the Syke salary system’s demand level 9, where the job-specific salary component is EUR 3011 per month. In addition, a performance-based salary component is paid, which for a starting person is generally 19.1% of the job-specific salary, as well as an experience component based on relevant work experience (15 or 20 years), which is up to 7% of the job-specific salary.