OPEN POSITION: Post-doctoral researcher - Methane and nitrous oxide exchange of trees

Do you want to be part of our dream team? University of Helsinki is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to work in European Research Council (ERC) and Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) funded project MEMETRE (From processes to modelling of methane emissions from trees).

The postdoctoral researcher will join a multidisciplinary group of 10 scientists studying the exchange of greenhouse gases methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in forest ecosystems, with the main aim at answering the question: what is the role of trees in the CH4 and N2O exchange of forests.



The main aim of is to raise the process-based understanding of CH4 exchange in for-ests to the level where we can construct a process model for the soil-tree-atmosphere CH4 exchange. We will achieve this by novel laboratory and field experiment focusing on newly identi-fied processes, quantifying CH4 fluxes, seasonal and daily variability and drivers of CH4 at leaf-level, tree and ecosystem level. The project will narrow down the high uncertainties in boreal and temperate forests for their contribution to the global CH4 budget.



Tasks of the postdoctoral researcher will be 1) to plan and participate state-of-the-art laboratory and field experiments on CH4 exchange of trees, utilizing stable and radiocarbon isotopes and molecular biology techniques, 2) to analyze data, report and present scientific findings, and 3) to take an active role in group work and supervision of students to guarantee direct interplay between the experimental work and modelling.

We are seeking a highly motivated researcher with a recent Ph.D. in the subject area in ecophysi-ology, plant biology, forest ecology, biogeochemistry, soil science, or other relevant fields. Experience in supervising MSc and/or PhD students, an excellent publication record, ability to work in-dependently as part of a multidisciplinary research group are essential. Programming skills and an interest towards learning new data analysis tools are assets.



This project is a collaborative project with the research groups of Prof. Jaana Bäck (, and is affiliated to the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (). We offer an internationally competitive package and access to state-of-the-art infrastructures (such as, Integrated Carbon Observation System).



To apply, send your

  • motivation letter
  • CV
  • publication list
  • and a minimum of two references (in one pdf-file)

to Mari Pihlatie () by 15 February 2018. The position can be filled in March 2018, or as soon as suitable for the candidate.



For additional information, please contact Associate Professor Mari Pihlatie,