Research Director, Aquatic Sciences
The Department of Biological and Environmental Science is seeking a Director for the Konnevesi Research Station, starting fromApril 1, 2026, or as agreed, in effect until further notice. Join our multidisciplinary team in building a new innovative future for the Konnevesi Research Station and international research networks, where its northern location in the changing world offers excellent facilities for scientifically and socially significant research and teaching.
The research director is required to have strong and broad scientific expertise, with emphasis on aquatic sciences, particularly in freshwater ecosystems. The research could include, for example, the unique characteristics of inland waters, such as the interactions between catchment areas and water bodies, and the specific characteristics of aquatic biota. As Research Director, you will develop research and teaching in biological and environmental sciences as part of the academic staff of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, and be responsible for the research station's finances, marketing, and operational development to be an inspiring and modern hub for research, teaching, and conferences.
The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences has a broad scope, focusing on understanding the basic mechanisms of biological phenomena from the molecular and cellular level to the functioning of biological communities and ecosystems and the effects of human activity on organisms and the environment. The department's research is based on three areas of strength: sustainable use of natural resources, evolutionary research, and biological nanoscience. Our research is characterized by an open-minded approach that combines different fields of biology and environmental sciences and emphasizes empirical research. Basic and applied research naturally go hand in hand, as exemplified by projects on the structure and functioning of aquatic food webs, the potential risks of new bioplastic materials in the aquatic environment, and the combination of artificial intelligence and citizen science in nature observation. Teaching is based on research conducted at the department, and courses combine a theoretical approach with practical training, for example in laboratory and field courses. The Konnevesi Research Station plays a central role in the department's research and education activities, particularly due to its extensive experimental research facilities and active social interaction.
The Konnevesi Research Station is part of the national INAR RI ecosystem research community, which offers excellent opportunities to promote participation in active international research and networking, for example in the eLTER network for long-term ecological research and the AnaEE network for experimental research. The Konnevesi Research Station is also part of the national university research station network and offers unique opportunities for large-scale experimental research (including aquarium facilities, temperature-controlled test rooms, and extensive outdoor enclosures suitable for research on terrestrial vertebrates such as birds and small mammals). The research station's laboratory technicians assist in conducting research and maintaining the station's operations. High-quality dining and accommodation services, including saunas, provide research groups with an inspiring environment in which to focus on planning and carrying out their research, applications, and publications.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for a Research Director to strengthen and develop the Konnevesi Research Station and the research of the Department of Biological and Environmental Science with innovative approach. The Research Director will promote the networking of the station both nationally and internationally. We are looking for a person with diverse experience and expertise in research and teaching in the following fields, for example: the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems, the health of aquatic organisms, waterway and catchment area research, evolutionary ecology, fish biology, and fish stock assessment. Applicants are required to have strong experience in managing both research projects and people, in obtaining competitive research funding, and in active publishing. Financial and marketing skills are considered an advantage.
In addition to managing and developing the Konnevesi Research Station, the research director is expected to conduct their own high-level research that supports teaching and to be competitive in applying for research funding. As director of the Konnevesi Research Station, you will have the opportunity to participate actively in, for example, the international INAR RI Ecosystems network and the national research station network (RESTAT). The position includes field and lecture teaching in environmental and aquatic sciences, thesis supervision, and coordination of these activities as part of the biological and environmental sciences study program. Teaching is conducted in either Finnish or English, depending on the course.
The research station director is primarily based at the Konnevesi research station, but the position also requires working at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science in Jyväskylä.
The duties and qualification requirements of a Research Director are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines. A good command of English and the ability to teach in English is required. The qualification requirements should be met before theclosing time of this call. A trial period of six months will be used in the beginning of the employment.
Benefits
At the University of Jyväskylä, you will be a valued member of our international and multidisciplinary academic community, where everyone's well-being is important. The Konnevesi Research Station offers excellent opportunities for experimental research and a high-quality base for field research in Konnevesi National Park. The position offers the opportunity to participate in the development of national and international innovative research station networks. The Ylistönrinne campus of the University of Jyväskylä has modern natural science laboratories and experimental research facilities and equipment. Konnevesi, Jyväskylä, and their surrounding areas offer an excellent setting for a nature-oriented, active, and healthy lifestyle. Jyväskylä has excellent transport connections.
Finland has a high standard of living, free education (also in English), affordable childcare, good family benefits, and healthcare. Konnevesi is located in Central Finland in a lake district and offers excellent opportunities for various nature, outdoor, and sports activities. Konnevesi is about 70 km from the city of Jyväskylä whichis a major educational center and has a large student population. As a result, the city has a vibrant cultural scene. Useful information about the University of Jyväskylä, the City of Jyväskylä, City of Konnevesi and life in Finland can be found in the University's International Staff Guide.
Salaries are based on job demands and employees’ performance following the Finnish University Salary System. A holiday bonus is paid to all employees. The starting gross salary for the Research Director will be 5800 - 6800 euros per month, depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate.
How to apply?
Please make sure that your ORCID-profile (https://orcid.org) works: your publications are listed and public (Set visibility: Everyone). You cannot apply to this job without an ORCID profile.
The application documents that should be included in English and in PDF format:
- A Curriculum vitae, composed according to good scientific practice and considering the template for researcher´s curriculum vitae by The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity.
- A short and free-form motivation/cover letter (max 2 pages), including your research interests, career goals and previous experience and merits in relation to the qualifications for this position.
- A numbered list of all scientific publications and other publications showing the applicant's ability and merits for the position using the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland.
- A maximum of five publications, which must be numbered according to the list of publications (as one PDF file) or a PDF file with public links to the 5 chosen publications.
- Research and development plan (maximum 4 pages): a vision of how the applicant's current and future activities will support and develop research and international cooperation at the Konnevesi Research Station and the University of Jyväskylä, including a research plan related to the task and a brief written account of the applicant's research achievements, research management and research funding applications.
- A teaching portfolio prepared according to the guidelines, i.e., a written description of pedagogical training and teaching merits (Instructions on the JYU Work with us website).
- Evidence of societal interaction (max 2 pages).
Applications should be submitted via the University of Jyväskylä online application form by January 16, 2026. Applications sent via email are not considered.
For further information, please contact Professor Katja Räsänen, katja.j.rasanen@jyu.fi, Professor Juha Karjalainen, juha.s.karjalainen@jyu.fi, or Department Head Leena Lindström, leena.m.lindstrom@jyu.fi.
We offer good working conditions for researchers and promote the principles of HR Excellence in Research, HRS4R. The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is based on the values of the European Charter for Researchers & The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code). JYU is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions, and undertakes the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland. JYU has signed the DORA Declaration. By signing the agreement, JYU is committed to complying with the CoARA principles.
Our application process is transparent, professional and international. We communicate openly with the applicants throughout the recruitment process. All appointment decisions are based on careful consideration within the faculty as well as reviews by external experts. We value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage qualified applicants, regardless of background, to apply for this position.
A personal security clearance may be conducted on the selected candidate with their consent (Security Clearance Act 726/2014). More information about the security clearance process and the rights of the subject can be found here.
Department of Biological and Environmental Science
The Konnevesi Research Station serves as a high-level base for biological research and is renowned for its experimental research in the field of evolutionary and behavioral ecology on mammals, birds, invertebrates, and fish. The Konnevesi Research Station is important to the University of Jyväskylä and a significant part of the unique network of Finnish university research stations, which can be compared to national treasures. The research station provides facilities for field courses, symposia, and seminars. The research station also serves as a venue for courses and seminars for other universities, colleges, and research institutes.
The research in the Department of Biological and Environmental Science focuses on three core areas: evolutionary biology, natural resources and environment, and biological nanoscience. The Department building, Ambiotica, is an integral part of the University of Jyväskylä's Ylistönrinne Mathematics and Science Research Complex, which includes buildings of chemistry, physics and nanoscience. Ambiotica houses high quality laboratories for bioscience and experimental facilities for a wide range of biological and chemical analyses as well as highly motivated laboratory personnel.
The University of Jyväskylä is a human-centered environment of 2,500 experts and 14,500 students. Our goal is to create wisdom and wellbeing for all. JYU's naturally beautiful campus is located in the heart of the city of Jyväskylä. JYU is the third largest employer in Central Finland.
The application form cannot be saved as draft. However, you have 6 hours to complete your application before the timeout. After submitting you can return to edit your application via the link you receive by email. The application can be edited until the application deadline.
