Doctoral researcher to study the nutrient sequestration and chemical composition of sea buckthorn, Food Sciences at Turku, Finland

The work will be conducted at the Food Sciences unit (Department of Life Technologies, Faculty of Technology). The project focuses on the measures of the TYRNIRAKI monitoring study, which began in 2020. The aim of the TYRNIRAKI project is to slow down the runoff of nutrients from the fields of Southwest Finland into rivers with the help of sea buckthorn, thereby reducing the eutrophication of the Archipelago Sea. The project is led by Associate Professor Maaria Kortesniemi.

Job description

Job tasks include fieldwork related to experimental plots and sampling, handling of soil and plant samples, and determining the bioactive compounds, polar metabolites, and sensory quality of sea buckthorn. The work also naturally involves data management and processing, reporting, and publishing of results, as well as possibly supervising related project and/or master’s thesis work in the laboratory. The aim of the dissertation research is to investigate how soil composition, microbial communities, and weather conditions affect the nutrient dynamics and quality and composition of sea buckthorn. The work offers a diverse, multidisciplinary, and environmentally significant research topic. The position is currently only partially funded, so the selected person is expected to apply for additional funding with the support of the supervisors.

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Who we are looking for

Required skills:

  • Master's degree in food sciences or other relevant field
  • The position is primarily for a doctoral researcher or project researcher. If the selected person is still completing their master's degree, the job title will be research assistant until the degree is completed.
  • Excellent proficiency in English, both written and spoken, is essential.
  • Previous experience with liquid chromatography
  • Motivation and eligibility for postgraduate studies and completing a doctoral degree
  • Readiness and enthusiastic attitude towards fieldwork

The following skills are considered an advantage:

  • Oral and written proficiency in Finnish
  • Knowledge in supporting multidisciplinary fields e.g. biochemistry, microbiology, plant biology, agricultural science, environmental science
  • Research methods in sensory evaluation
  • Mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, metabolomics
  • Research methods related to microbial communities
  • Statistics, multivariate methods
  • Experience in applying for funding
  • Driver's license and the possibility to use a personal car for traveling to experimental plots (travel expenses will be reimbursed)

The eligibility requirements for the position are stipulated in the University of Turku's regulations. If the selected person does not have the right to pursue doctoral studies at the time of selection, the position will initially be filled with the title of project researcher until December 31, 2025, and the right to pursue doctoral studies will be applied for in the next possible application round (autumn 2025, for the right to study starting January 1, 2026). Read more about the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS) and doctoral programs.

Our selection criteria are based on finding the most qualified and suitable candidate. In practice, this means that in addition to education and publications, individual characteristics, motivation, language skills, and other relevant criteria are taken into account.

Benefits

We offer you responsible and interesting tasks and the opportunity to develop your professional skills in a versatile operating environment. You get a professional and inspiring team to support your work. We take care of your well-being at work and the functionality of your everyday life, e.g. with the help of flexible working hours and our well-being services.

Please read more about University of Turku as an employee from our Come work with us! pages.

The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research logo. The logo is a token of the University's commitment to continuous development of the position and working conditions of researchers according to the guidelines set forth in the European Charter for Researchers. 

The university offers good support and orientation for international hires. Please learn more about the Finnish culture and relocation to Finland:

Salary and trial period

The work starts on May 2nd, 2025, or as agreed. This is a fixed-term and part-time position until March 31, 2026, and it can be extended if possible. We will provide more details about the project situation during the interview stage. The position has a six (6) month probationary period. The planned total duration of doctoral training in the Doctoral Program in Technology (DPT) is 3–4 years.

The salary is determined based on the collective agreement for universities. The position belongs to our research staff, and the salary for a doctoral researcher or project researcher is approximately €2,448–2,500/month, and for a research assistant approximately €2,200–2,300/month.

The part-time work of the doctoral researcher is covered by AKKE funding granted by the Regional Council of Southwest Finland. The selected person is expected to apply for additional funding. The project leader has applied for additional funding from foundations during the spring of 2025, but the funding decisions are not yet known at the time of recruitment.

How to apply

The application must include the following documents in one PDF file in English or Finnish:

  1. Motivation letter, including a presentation of your skills based on the above-mentioned requirements (max 1 page).
  2. Curriculum vitae.
  3. Copies of degree certificates.
  4. Contact information for three referees (name, workplace, and email address).
  5. Other possible documents demonstrating the applicant's qualifications and eligibility, e.g., a list of publications.

For more information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Maaria Kortesniemi (mkkort(at)utu.fi, +358 50 471 5962). For more information about the recruitment process, please contact HR Specialist paula.luoma(at)utu.fi.

Please send your application as soon as possible, as we will read applications during the application period and may invite candidates for an interview.

Welcome to join this interesting, multidisciplinary project that is genuinely significant for the environment!

Department of Life Technologies

The Department of Life Technologies is one of the largest teaching and research units at the University of Turku. Professionals of both science and professionals are educated in four mutually supportive fields: biochemistry, biotechnology, food sciences, and molecular plant biology. The research focuses on biomolecules and their reactions as well as aims to find out how nature functions at the cellular and molecular levels. This information is used in the applications of different fields and at the same time it enables versatile collaboration between research communities, businesses and industry.

The Faculty of Technology is the newest faculty of the University of Turku, it was established in the beginning of 2021. The Faculty consists of the Department of Computing, Department of Biotechnology and the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. We have more than 2,000 graduate and postgraduate students and circa 400 employees, 50 of whom are professors. Our faculty is an international, multicultural and diverse work community.

The University of Turku is an inspiring and international academic community of 25,000 students and staff in Southwest Finland. We build a sustainable future with multidisciplinary research, education, and collaboration. With us, your work will have a significant impact and relevance in the changing world.

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Doctoral researcher to study the nutrient sequestration and chemical composition of sea buckthorn, Food Sciences at Turku, Finland

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