Postdoctoral Researcher/Project Researcher (2 positions), Water Sustainability and Global Change

The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for two Postdoctoral Researcher/Project Researcher positions in Water Sustainability and Global Change at the Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences of the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology on the Joensuu campus. The positions will be filled for a fixed term of two years starting on 1 December 2025 (or as agreed).

We are seeking two highly motivated Postdoctoral Researchers/Project Researchers with strong analytical skills, and a keen interest in freshwater sustainability and Earth system resilience. The appointed Postdoctoral Researchers/Project Researchers will contribute to the European Research Council-funded project Protecting the planet’s bloodstream: feasible and just opportunities to safeguard freshwater’s Earth system functions (AQUAGUARD). AQUAGUARD is an ambitious interdisciplinary project aiming to understand and quantify long-term changes in the terrestrial water cycle, their human drivers, and the impacts on key life-supporting functions of freshwater in the Earth system.

The two Postdoctoral Researchers/Project Researchers will synthesise qualitative and quantitative knowledge on how global freshwater changes affect the Earth system. Applicants are invited to choose one of two topics when applying: (1) ecological or (2) climatic responses to freshwater change.

• Topic 1 will synthesise knowledge on the impacts of freshwater change on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across aquatic, terrestrial, and transitional ecosystems worldwide.
• Topic 2 will synthesise knowledge on the impacts of freshwater change on regional-to-global climate, including effects on moisture recycling, precipitation patterns, and the Earth’s energy balance (e.g. greenhouse gas fluxes and albedo change).

The appointed Postdoctoral Researchers/Project Researchers will lead synthesis research on their chosen topic, with flexibility to choose their approach and methods within the project’s overarching aims. They will prepare scientific publications and engage actively in collaboration within the project’s interdisciplinary team. Their work will play a key role in advancing understanding of how global freshwater change affects the Earth system.

The successful candidates will join the Global Water Sustainability Research Group (GLOWS), where we foster a collaborative and respectful research environment that values diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary thinking.

The positions will be filled for a fixed term of two years as from 1 December 2025 (or as agreed). The salary of the positions is determined in accordance with the salary system for Finnish universities. For a Postdoctoral Researcher, the job-related salary element is based on level 5 of the job requirement level chart for teaching and research staff. For a Project Researcher, the job-related salary element is based on level 4 of the job requirement level chart for teaching and research staff. The personal salary element is 6–50% of the job-related salary element. At the beginning of the employment, the total salary of a Postdoctoral Researcher will be approximately EUR 3,825 – 4,020 /month and the total salary of a Project Researcher will be approximately EUR 3,300 – 3,475 /month.

Requirements

• The person appointed as a Postdoctoral Researcher must have a doctoral degree in ecology, biogeochemistry, (eco)hydrology, physical geography, climate science, Earth system science, environmental science or another relevant field. The doctoral degree may not have been completed more than five years ago at the time of starting in the position.
• The person appointed as a Project Researcher must hold a Master’s degree in ecology, biogeochemistry, (eco)hydrology, physical geography, climate science, Earth system science, environmental science or another relevant field, and be in the final stages of completing their doctoral degree.
• Good skills in spoken and written English.
• Demonstrated ability or strong motivation to connect across disciplines boundaries to address global environmental challenges.
• Demonstrated ability or strong motivation to work collaboratively in a respectful, supportive, and curiosity-driven research environment.

The following will be considered an advantage

• Experience with knowledge synthesis methods, such as systematic reviews, meta-analysis, or other integrative approaches.
• Strong quantitative skills, including handling and analysis of large datasets.
• Experience with programming languages for scientific computing (e.g., R, Python, MATLAB).
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific results into clear written, oral, and visual outputs.
• Ability to independently lead research while critically reflecting on and adapting methods as needed.

You will have access to the university’s staff benefits, including the opportunity for flexible multi-location work, extensive occupational health care, a broad selection of staff training, staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants, as well as on a range of other services, and affordable sports services.

How to apply? Submit your application by using our electronic application form no later than 3 November 2025 by 23:59 (midnight) Finnish time (UTC +2). Please note that you must include the following appendices in your application: a CV, a list of publications, copies of your academic degree certificates / diplomas, a motivation letter, a short outline of your approach to the chosen research topic, and other documents to demonstrate the applicant’s merits for the position.