Postdoctoral Researcher in snow and microclimate processes of cold-climate ecosystems

We are now looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher in snow and microclimate processes of cold-climate ecosystems for a 3-year fixed-term position to join us in the Faculty of Technology, Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering Unit. About the job We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join our team to study changes and patterns in hydrology, snow and microclimates across Arctic, boreal and alpine ecosystems, and to connect their dynamics to ecological processes in cold climates. We welcome applicants with backgrounds in hydrology, remote sensing, data science, physical geography, environmental science, ecosystem science or ecology, as long as you bring strong numerical and programming skills and a genuine interest in cold-climate systems. We recognise that excellent candidates come from different scientific traditions. We therefore invite applications along two complementary profiles, and encourage you to indicate in your application which profile best matches your interests and expertise. Both profiles are equally valued and will be assessed on their own merits. We also welcome candidates whose expertise and interests fall between these profiles or combine elements of both. Profile A — Snow, climate and remote sensing (technical / modelling focus). You will study snow-related processes and the impacts of climate change on them in Arctic, boreal and alpine ecosystems by combining remote sensing tools, microclimate datasets and mechanistic models. You will utilise and develop advanced mechanistic and deep-learning models with fine-resolution satellite imagery and empirical microclimate data to understand and predict the localised effects of climate change and human impacts on cold-climate hydrology and snow. This profile suits a hydrological modeller or data scientist with a strong background in spatial datasets and analyses and deep understanding in cold-climate processes. Profile B — Snow, microclimate and ecosystems (interdisciplinary focus). You will study the dynamics and spatial patterns in snow and hydrological and microclimate conditions and link them to ecological processes in Arctic, boreal and alpine ecosystems. You will investigate how shifts in snow cover, local hydrology and microclimates propagate through cold ecosystems affecting vegetation, biodiversity and ecosystem functions. This profile suits a hydrologist, physical geographer, ecosystem scientist or ecologist with strong numerical and programming skills and an understanding of cold-ecosystem processes and nature. The position is linked to a project led by Assistant Professor Pekka Niittynen that studies local-scale trends in snow cover duration and their ecological implications across Arctic and alpine ecosystems. The postdoctoral position is also linked to large-scale and long-term research in the water sector at the Flagship DIWA - Digital Waters , and SAFIRE - Safeguarding Biodiversity through Interdisciplinary Research on Habitat Restoration- a Profi8 programme at the University of Oulu, funded by the Research Council Finland. SAFIRE’s focus is the production of scientifically excellent and actionable knowledge on habitat restoration, especially in Arctic regions. The position is located at the Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering research unit, in the Faculty of Technology. Our water research team includes 5 research groups with a strong focus on various aspects of water engineering, including hydrological modelling, cold climate hydrology, hydrological process studies, and groundwater research. In hydrology, the research includes studies at our research stations and supersites in Finland with a unique and developing infrastructure. The position is also linked to the Arctic, Antarctic and Mountain initiative , a network of ~150 researchers across the world that works on global microclimate datasets and promotes microclimate research across disciplines. Your responsibilities The responsibilities below are tailored to your chosen profile, with shared responsibilities common to both. Shared responsibilities: Integrate remote sensing observations, climate reanalysis and microclimate data to reconstruct historical snow, hydrological and microclimate trends. Collaborate with ecologists, hydrologists and modellers to assess the impacts of hydrological and cryospheric changes on ecosystems and water resources. Publish high-quality research and contribute to open-source tools. Depending on personal interest, field work in northern Finland, Sweden and Norway is possible. Participate in doctoral supervision and education. In addition, for Profile A: Develop algorithms for fine-scale snow and hydrological mapping and modelling utilising Landsat, Sentinel and PlanetScope satellite data. Advance mechanistic, deep-learning or hybrid models that translate satellite and microclimate data into predictions of snow and hydrological change. In addition, for Profile B: Analyse how changes in snow, hydrology and microclimate propagate to ec