At the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, fixed term position of Post-doctoral Researcher in the Field of Soil Ecology and Microbiology is open.

Arctic Centre is a national and international hub of information and centre of excellence that conducts multidisciplinary research in changes in the Arctic region. The institute is located in the Arktikum House, Rovaniemi, Finland with joined laboratory facilities in the campus of the Lapland University of Applied Sciences. The highly popular Arktikum is also home to the Science Centre of the Arctic Centre and the Provincial Museum of Lapland.

In the Arctic Centre, research is carried out especially in the entire Arctic region and Antarctica. Multidisciplinary research especially combines the perspectives of the natural sciences and social sciences.

Your tasks

The ongoing climate warming is rapidly changing species composition and ecosystem processes in the Fennoscandian subarctic. Changing temperature and moisture regimes and the expansion of boreal tree species together with changes in heathland vegetation shape soil microbial community composition and function. It is unknown how warming and associated changes in microbial communities influence soil carbon storage, and they are related with changing disturbance regimes. Now it is possible to join our research team of ecologists, forest scientists and microbiologists to work towards unraveling these effects in Rovaniemi, northern Finland.  

Researchers with background in, for example, soil ecology, biogeochemistry and soil microbiology are considered qualified for the position. The researcher will conduct field work in the subarctic parts of northernmost Finland, and the person should therefore be prepared to hike long distances and stay sometimes in remote locations. There is flexibility in the project plan in the way that the work can be focused based on the research interests of the applicanthis position is an excellent opportunity to develop a scientific career while working and living in a northern environment in Rovaniemi. The project has close collaboration with researchers in the Universities of Eastern Finland and Helsinki, which enables shorter or longer visits to these institutes

We offer you

• international work environment and high-level scientific research infrastructure in the Arctic Centre
• comprehensive occupational health care
• versatile sports, cultural and well-being benefits.

We expect from you

Our expectations of the applicant:

• PhD degree in soil science, plant ecology, microbiology, biology or equivalent
• experience in laboratory work and knowledge on methods for analyzing soil biochemical cycles and/or soil fungal or bacterial community composition
• earlier experience in working with boreal or subarctic ecosystems is considered a major advantage but not an absolute requirement
• good co-operational and communication skills as well as willingness to work under field conditions in remote sites in the north
• skills in data analyses and scientific writing, evidenced by a track record of scientific publications

More information about the task

For more information about the position, contact contact University Researcher Sari Stark (sari.stark@ulapland.fi, phone +358-40-4844 254).

Workplace address: Pohjoisranta 4, 96200 ROVANIEMI
Duration of work: 20 months from 1 June 2025 or as agreed
Working hours: full-time
Trial period: 3 months
Salary: The university's salary system is based on the demand level of the task and personal performance. Post-doctoral researcher basic salary component is placed in teaching and research staff requirement levels 5-6 according to which the salary is €3213,55- €3747,44 per month  In addition, a salary component based on personal performance is paid, which is a maximum of 50% of the task-basic salary component. The starting salary is around €3731- €4352€.

University of Lapland

The University of Lapland is an international science and art university located in the City of Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. Our university creates new knowledge, skills and competence from the arctic perspective – for the North and for the world. Our fields of education and research include educational science, law, art and design, social sciences, and northern and arctic perspectives. Our strategic choices focus on global arctic responsibility, sustainable tourism, future services and governing distances.