Doctoral Student in Freshwater Ecology

University of Oulu, with approximately 14 000 students and 3 000 employees, is an international, multidisciplinary research university. The strengths of the University include broad, multidisciplinary research interests, a modern research and study environment and wide cooperation with international research institutes (http://www.oulu.fi/university).

University of Oulu announces a three-year doctoral student position in the project “Stream biodiversity change: disentangling the effects of multiple anthropogenic drivers on riverine ecosystems”. The project is funded by the Academy of Finland and the start date should be April/May, 2019, by the latest.

The position is based at Department of Ecology and Genetics, Faculty of Science. Research in this position will focus on disentangling the effects of climate change and forestry-related land use on stream biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, as well as on developing and testing tools for mitigating such effects (restoration ecology). Empirical work will combine field surveys and mesocosm experiments, with a focus on microbial organisms and stream ecosystem processes. The PhD student is expected to contribute to teaching and supervision of undergraduate students as part of his/her doctoral education. The student will work in an international group of researchers at different career stages, all focusing on different aspects of community ecology of stream and groundwater-dependent ecosystems (https://streamecology.wordpress.com/).

A successful candidate should have M.Sc. degree in ecology or limnology (or equivalent) by application deadline 17 February, 2019. Basic knowledge of theoretical and applied community ecology is required and experience in microbial ecology and molecular techniques is considered highly beneficial. The position requires fluent written and oral English skills and good communication skills.

The salary will be based on the levels 2 – 4 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). The salary will thus be roughly 2 300 – 2 600 € per month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.

Applications, together with all relevant enclosures, should be submitted to electronically by 17 February, 2019 at 23:59 (Finnish local time). A trial period of 6 months is applied in the position.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

1. Curriculum vitae in English
2. A brief (1 page) description of the motivation and suitability to the post
3. Contact information of 1 – 2 references
4. Documentation of English language skills
5. Copies of relevant official exam documents

For further information, please contact: prof. Timo Muotka email: timo.muotka(at)oulu.fi