Five doctoral researchers in coastal biodiversity and carbon cycling

Tiivistelmä työpaikkailmoituksesta: Five fully funded four-year doctoral researcher positions in coastal biodiversity and carbon cycling are available at Tvärminne Zoological Station within the CoastClim PhD Collegium, starting in early 2027. The five complementary projects use field manipulations, laboratory experiments, long-term monitoring and biogeochemical measurements to study how biodiversity, functional traits and multiple stressors regulate coastal carbon cycling across habitats. The positions are funded by the Walter and Andrée de Nottbeck Foundation and are paid 20% as salary and 80% as a personal grant, in total about 2400 euro per month (tax paid only on the 20%). Applications must be submitted via the University of Helsinki online recruitment system with a motivation letter, CV (and publications), and two recommendation letters by 7 December 2026, and successful candidates must obtain the right to pursue a doctoral degree within a six-month trial period. Tämä tiivistelmä on luotu tekoälyn avulla. Five doctoral researchers in coastal biodiversity and carbon cycling We are seeking five doctoral researchers to join the CoastClim Biodiversity PhD Collegium at Tvärminne Zoological Station, where the five complementary doctoral projects investigate how species composition, functional traits, interactions and community change regulate coastal carbon cycling. The doctoral researchers will be joined by two new postdoctoral researchers (see short description below and full application details on University of Helsinki open positions page ). Coastal ecosystems are changing rapidly, with consequences for biodiversity, carbon cycling and climate feedbacks. We address these issues in CoastClim , the Centre for Coastal Ecosystem and Climate Change Research. A central CoastClim hypothesis is that healthy and degraded ecosystems differ in how biodiversity regulates carbon production, storage, transformation and release. Yet the ecological mechanisms behind these differences remain poorly understood. All five PhD projects share biodiversity and carbon cycling as their scientific core, while addressing complementary mechanisms across coastal habitats and spatial and temporal scales. Cross-cutting themes include environmental disturbance, multiple stressors, temporal community change, functional diversity and benthic–pelagic interactions. Field manipulations, laboratory experiments, long-term observations and biogeochemical measurements will build on CoastClim's interdisciplinary expertise and infrastructure at Tvärminne Zoological Station. Shared field and laboratory experiments will enable collaboration without compromising doctoral project independence. Together, the PhD collegium and postdocs will test CoastClim's healthy–degraded hypothesis by determining how biodiversity change alters carbon cycling and climate-relevant ecosystem processes. Five interconnected PhD projects 1. Experimental biodiversity manipulation and coastal carbon cycling Main supervisor: Alf Norkko How does biodiversity loss affect carbon cycling and ecosystem metabolism in coastal marine habitats? This predominantly field-based project will use SCUBA-based disturbance experiments to manipulate benthic biodiversity and compare carbon cycling in disturbed and undisturbed communities. Complementary long-term experiments with relatively intact sediment communities in laboratory mesocosms may test the effects of species composition, biomass and functional diversity. Key response variables include carbon stocks, organic matter processing and ecosystem metabolism, measured through in situ benthic chamber incubations (production and respiration). Greenhouse gas (CO₂, CH₄) and VOC flux measurements may be incorporated through ongoing CoastClim collaborations. Contrasting vegetated and non-vegetated habitats may be included; recolonization over 2–3 years is a possible extension. Applicants should have a strong foundation in benthic ecology, experimental design and quantitative analysis, as well as underwater fieldwork experience. Scientific diving qualifications or substantial diving experience are highly desirable. 2. Temporal biodiversity change, novel communities and carbon cycling Main supervisor: Laura Kauppi How do temporal changes in biodiversity, including the emergence of novel ecological communities, influence carbon cycling in coastal ecosystems? This project will investigate how changes in species composition, biological interactions and community dominance, including introductions of non-native species, alter coastal carbon cycling. Long-term ecological datasets will be combined with targeted field and laboratory studies to assess carbon stocks, organic matter processing and potentially benthic–pelagic exchange. Molecular biodiversity monitoring (e.g. ARMS/EMOBON) may be incorporated. Applicants should have strong statistical skills, experience handling ecological time series and an interest in community ecology. Experience in experi