Two Postdoctoral Researcher Positions in Coastal Marine Science

Tiivistelmä työpaikkailmoituksesta: Two three-year, full-time postdoctoral researcher positions in coastal marine science are based at Tvärminne Zoological Station within the CoastClim programme. One position focuses on sediment microbial ecology and biogeochemistry, and the other on experimental marine ecology and biodiversity–ecosystem functioning with strong SCUBA-based fieldwork. Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant discipline and demonstrate strong experimental, molecular or quantitative skills, a publication record and the ability to lead independent interdisciplinary research. The starting salary is typically around €3,700–4,200 per month and applications (motivation letter, CV and two recommendation letters) must be submitted via the University of Helsinki online system by 7 December 2026. Tämä tiivistelmä on luotu tekoälyn avulla. Two Postdoctoral Researcher Positions in Coastal Marine Science The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciencies invites applications for two postdoctoral resesarcher positions in coastal marine science to join CoastClim , the Centre for Coastal Ecosystem and Climate Change Research. The postdoctoral researchers will be based at Tvärminne Zoological Station and work closely with a PhD collegium consisting of five new doctoral researchers (see more information about the doctoral positions on University of Helsinki open positions page ). 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. About CoastClim and the research environment CoastClim is a strategic collaboration between the University of Helsinki and Stockholm University. CoastClim investigates how biodiversity and ecosystem state influence coastal carbon cycling, greenhouse gases (GHGs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and climate feedbacks. The programme combines marine ecology, biogeochemistry and atmospheric science, with Tvärminne Zoological Station as a principal field and experimental hub. Tvärminne Zoological Station, part of the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki, provides access to diverse coastal habitats, research vessels, scientific diving and laboratory facilities, experimental infrastructure and long-term environmental observations. Successful applicants will join a collaborative international research community and work with doctoral researchers and scientific staff across CoastClim. Position 1. Postdoctoral Researcher in Coastal Sediment Microbial Ecology and Biogeochemistry (3 years) Research focus and responsibilities We invite applications from researchers with a strong background in sediment microbiology, microbial ecology or marine biogeochemistry who are interested in understanding how benthic biodiversity regulates carbon processing in healthy and degraded coastal ecosystems. We welcome different disciplinary profiles: candidates may be strongest in molecular microbial ecology or in sediment process measurements, provided they can build meaningful links between biological communities and carbon cycling. The successful candidate will develop an independent research programme aligned with the CoastClim biodiversity–carbon agenda, while contributing to joint field and laboratory experiments on biodiversity change, disturbance and multiple stressors. Research may focus on microbial controls of sediment carbon mineralization, methane production and oxidation, redox-sensitive processes, sediment–water exchange and potentially the production, consumption or degradation of climate-relevant VOCs. Essential qualifications and experience • PhD in microbial ecology, marine biogeochemistry, environmental microbiology, aquatic ecology or a closely related discipline. • Demonstrated research expertise relevant to coastal or aquatic sediment processes, or clearly transferable microbial/biogeochemical methods. These could include microbial community or functional analysis (e.g. amplicon sequencing, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, qPCR, functional genes) and links to measured process rates, and/or sediment–water flux measurements, intact-core incubations, porewater chemistry, redox profiling, carbon or nutrient mineralization and GHG measurements (especially CH₄).• Ability to design rigorous experiments, independently analyze complex datasets and work confidently with statistical software (e.g. R or Python) or appropriate bioinformatics tools. • Ability to integrate molecular and biogeochemical information, including knowledge of microbial methane cycling; familiarity with marine VOCs is welcome but not required.An excellent scientific writing ability in English, supported by peer-reviewed publications and clear evidence of independent research potential. • Good collaborative, organizational and communication skills and an interest in interdisciplinary work. Appl