The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Helsinki invites applications for the position of a DOCTORAL STUDENT to work in a Strategic Research Council of the Academy of Finland funded project MULTA (Multi-benefit solutions to climate-smart agriculture, https://carbonaction.org/en-stn-multa/). The doctoral student will join a multidisciplinary team to study soil carbon sequestration and climate impacts of agricultural practices with a strong focus on plant-related soil processes of carbon stabilization.

The aims of the consortium are to 1) design climate-smart agricultural solutions that are widely beneficial to food systems, 2) test their practical application, 3) understand C stabilization process-es and develop a verification system for the carbon sequestration and other climate impacts to be used in policy and markets, and 4) develop economic measures and policies to promote the im-plementation of these solutions in Finland and abroad.

Do you want to be part in solving the questions about stable carbon in soils? Tasks of the doctoral student will be

1. to plan and participate state-of-the-art laboratory and field experiments related to plant roots, rooting depth and root-microbe-soil interactions as well as soil microbiome,
2. to analyze data, report and present scientific findings as part of PhD studies and
3. to actively participate in interdisciplinary group work to guarantee direct interplay between the experimental work and modelling.

We are seeking a highly motivated student with background in environmental microbiology, molecular biology, plant biology, soil science, agroecology, or other relevant fields. Interest towards a scientific career and work experience in research projects is an asset.

This project has tight collaboration with consortium partners at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, University of Zürich and Natural Resources Institute Finland and is linked to recently funded new infrastructure project on Climate-smart Northern Agriculture (INAR RI Agriculture) of the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR). We offer an internationally competitive package and access to state-of-the-art infrastructures (such as INAR RI Agriculture, ICOS, Integrated Car-bon Observation System, https://www.icos-ri.eu/).

The appointee should either already have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki by the start of the appointment, or apply for the right, and obtain it within the probationary period of six months of their appointment. If the candidate does not already have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki, it must be applied for separately. (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/the-application-p...).

The appointee can conduct their Ph.D. studies at one of the University of Helsinki Doctoral Programmes: Doctoral Programme in Microbiology and Biotechnology https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/doctoral-schools-..., Plant Sciences (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/doctoral-schools-...), Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/doctoral-schools-..., or Sustainable Use of Renewable Natural Resources (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/doctoral-schools-...).

The salary shall be based on levels 2–4 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research staff in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal performance will be paid. The starting gross salary will be approx. 2200-2400 euros per month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and work experience. In addition, occupational healthcare will be provided. The appointment starts with a probationary period of six months.

Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications the following documents as a single pdf file:

1. CV
2. motivation letter
3. publication list, and
4. a minimum of two recommendation letters

Please submit your application through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the link Apply for the position. Applicants who are employees of the University of Helsinki are requested to submit their application via the SAP HR portal.

The deadline for applications 2 August 2020. The position can be filled in to start in September 2020, or as soon as suitable for the appointee. The duration of the employment is approx. 1.5 years, depending on the salary levels.

For additional information, please contact university researcher Jussi Heinonsalo Jussi.heinonsalo@helsinki.fi.

Due date

02.08.2020 23:59 EEST