Staff Scientist (University Researcher) for eLTER and AnaEE related work at the SMEAR-Agri

The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at University of Helsinki is inviting applications for a staff scientist (hereafter: university researcher) position for a five-year contract, starting as soon as possible or from 1 March 2024 onwards.

We are searching for a university researcher to SMEAR-Agri station (Station for Measuring Ecosystem-Atmosphere Relations (https://www.atm.helsinki.fi/smear/index.php/smear-agri ) with the main task of being responsible for the station’s long-term atmospheric and soil measurements, data processing and linkages to international research infrastructures like eLTER and AnaEE RI.

The core activity of the university researcher is to ensure production of sustainable and traceable high-quality data and data products from continuous soil measurements, greenhouse gas concentrations and ecosystem-atmosphere exchange fluxes. The work includes coordination of data management related to SMEAR-Agri station, cooperation with other research infrastructures nationally and internationally, and facilitating research and university teaching related to SMEAR-Agri station. You will work as a part of SMEAR-Agri team, and your responsibilities cover for example development of the continuous soil and atmospheric measurements and coordinating research and teaching activities at the station, including measurement campaigns, their data flow and storage. Participation in the management of the technical team and assisting other research groups of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry in soil and ecophysiological research and data analysis are also a part of your duties.

The work involves both practical work and ability for field work in different conditions. Prior experience and knowledge in continuous field measurement systems, related measurement instrumentation and scientific and technical programming (R, Python, SQL) and data processing from raw to ready for scientific publications is an advantage.

Requirements 

We look for candidates in the field of ecophysiology and soil scienceswho have: 

• a doctoral degree granted from a suitable field (e.g. forest and agricultural sciences, environmental sciences) 
• ability to conduct scholarly work and research both independently and as member of interdisciplinary research groups 
• technical hardware and software skills, and readiness or devoted-to-learn attitude towards conducting tasks related to measurement technology in ecophysiology and/or soil sciences 
• interest to participate in networking activities within research infrastructures (such as ICOS, AnaEE, eLTER and ACTRIS RI) nationally and internationally 
• understanding of the ecophysiological background of the studied phenomena 
• willingness and ability to assist graduate and postgraduate students in technical and statistical issues as well as to supervise thesis work and academic dissertations 

What we offer 

The salary of a university researcher is at level 5-7 of the requirements level chart for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The starting salary of the university researcher is ca. 4200 - 4500 €/month. A six-month trial period will be applied and the workplace is at Viikki campus in Helsinki. 

Finland is one of the most livable countries, with a high quality of life, safety and excellent education system.  Finland is a member of the EU, has high quality and inexpensive childcare, free schooling and tertiary training (also in English), generous family benefits and healthcare, and was recently ranked as the best country in the world for expat families. The successful candidate will receive the benefits provided by the University of Helsinki to university employees, including occupational health care services, and obtain access to high-quality public affordable childcare services and schools. Read more about the employee benefits at our university and why the University of Helsinki is an excellent career choice: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers   

 Further information 

HOW TO APPLY  

Please submit your application as a single pdf file in English using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System. Please include the following in your application:

• A motivation letter (max. 2 pages) including descriptions of candidate’s,
  • background and methodological skills relevant for the position
  • research interest or a vision for the research conducted in this position
  • past experience on working in multidisciplinary groups or research environments
• CV that includes a list of publications
• Proven record of participation in fieldwork in ecophysiological and/or soil research
• Names and contact details of two referees

External applicants, please submit your application using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via Apply Now button.

Applicants who have a helsinki.fi -username and a valid employment contract, a grant researcher’s contract or a visiting researcher’s contract at the University of Helsinki are requested to leave their application by using the Employee login.

The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

The closing date for applications is 31 January 2024 (23:59 EET)

ABOUT US

The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry is located on the Viikki campus. The mission of the faculty is to promote the sustainable use of renewable natural resources through scientific research and research-based teaching. We focus on agricultural and forest sciences, food and nutrition, microbiology, as well as on economics and management. We cover the full natural resource chain from farm to fork, the entire field of forest sciences from soil chemistry to marketing, as well as the environmental effects of related activities. Graduates from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry are versatile experts in biosciences and business, able to meet the needs of both the business sector and society at large.

www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-agriculture-and-forestry

The Department of Agricultural Sciences is one of the units of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. The department conducts internationally recognized research, related to agricultural sciences and the bio-economy, and provides the highest-level education based on the research. The aim is to carry out research and teaching on plant production in agriculture and horticulture, animal production, and technologies and environmental effects pertaining to them, as well as to yield societal impact through research. The main research fields of the department are agrotechnology, animal science, plant production sciences, and soil and environmental science. The number of Department’s personnel is about 100 and the department provides BSc and MSc study programs. The Department is active in society, and has strong collaboration with companies, government agencies, research institutes and other Universities, nationally and internationally.

www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-agriculture-and-forestry/research/agricultural-sciences