Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) in Butterfly Ecology and Climate Change across Europe

Tiivistelmä työpaikkailmoituksesta: The University of Helsinki invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher in Butterfly Ecology and Climate Change across Europe based at the Viikki Campus in Helsinki, starting on 11 January 2027 (or as agreed). The project uses museum specimens, field collections across a European climatic gradient, automated image analysis and ecological modelling to study butterfly body size and wing pigmentation responses to climate change. Applicants should hold a relevant MSc (or equivalent), have research experience, strong quantitative interest and English skills, and be willing to undertake international fieldwork and museum-based work. The position is fully funded until 31 August 2030 with a gross starting salary of approximately EUR 2,600 per month, and applications are due by 30 September via the University of Helsinki recruitment system. Tämä tiivistelmä on luotu tekoälyn avulla. Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) in Butterfly Ecology and Climate Change across Europe The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher position exploring how butterflies are responding to climate change across Europe. The work will be based at the Viikki Campus in Helsinki, Finland. The doctoral researcher will join THERMOTRAIT - Tracing the impacts of climate change across biological scales, a Research Council of Finland-funded project led by Dr Emilie Ellis. The project brings together field ecology, natural history collections, long-term biodiversity monitoring, image analysis, climate data and ecological modelling. The doctoral researcher will work closely with Principal Investigator Ellis and will be co-supervised by Prof Tomas Roslin (University of Helsinki). For this project, the doctoral researcher will also work within an international network of researchers, museum curators, Butterfly Monitoring Scheme coordinators and field ecologists across Finland, Spain and the United Kingdom. This position is available from 11th January 2027 , or as agreed. About the position Climate change is reshaping biodiversity, but we still do not fully understand how responses by individual organisms scale up to affect population persistence and community change. This doctoral project will use museum specimens and field collections to investigate whether climate-related shifts in butterfly body size and wing pigmentation over the last century help species cope with ongoing climate warming or instead signal increasing vulnerability across Europe. The successful candidate will develop a rare combination of skills in international fieldwork, museum specimen handling and digitisation, standardised ecological data collection, automated image analysis, large biodiversity datasets, advanced statistical modelling in R, open science and collaborative project management. The fieldwork spans a remarkable European climatic gradient - from mountain landscapes in Catalonia to boreal environments near the Arctic Circle in Finland. A four-month research visit to the Museo Nacional de Ciencies Naturales in Madrid is also planned, together with shorter visits to collaborating institutions and museums. The doctoral researcher should therefore be comfortable with periods of travel and with moving between field, museum and analytical components of the project. The appointee is expected to complete an article-based PhD thesis based on the material produced in the project, together with the 30 ECTS of studies required for a PhD degree in Finland. Selection criteria We are looking for a curious, motivated and thoughtful candidate who is excited by biodiversity, climate change and ecological data, and by a PhD that crosses the traditional boundaries between field biology, natural history collections and quantitative ecology. The successful applicant should have: A relevant MSc or equivalent qualification in ecology, evolutionary biology, conservation biology, zoology, environmental science, biogeography or another relevant field. A BSc (Hons) may also qualify if it permits entry to doctoral study in the country where it was awarded Research training or experience through a thesis or dissertation, an independent project, a research assistantship or equivalent research-based work A strong interest in ecological research and in developing as an independent researcher A foundation in quantitative analysis and a willingness to develop strong skills in R, statistical modelling and reproducible research Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English The ability to work independently while contributing openly and reliably to a collaborative research team Willingness to undertake international fieldwork, museum work and research visits The following skills are considered an advantage: Experience with butterflies or other insects, species identification, field surveys or biodiversity monitoring Experience with R and the analysis of ecological, environ