The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry invites applications for 1-2 postdoctoral researchers in population genomics to join forest genomics research group.

Postdoctoral positions up to 36 months are available in the Department of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland to work with Associate Professor Tanja Pyhäjärvi (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/forest-genomics).

Environment

Current research topics of the group include plant population genomics, adaptive regulatory and structural variation in forest tree genomes, forest genetic resources, genomics of forest tree breeding and conifer reproductive system evolution

We offer a scientific environment that is enthusiastic about plant evolutionary genetics, a possibility to develop your genomics and bioinformatics skills and initiate international collaboration. Within Europe, we collaborate closely with other forests geneticists via the Horizon 2020 project FORGENIUS as well as via EVOLTREE and Nordic SNS networks. The group is a part of Centre of Excellence in Tree Biology (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/centre-of-excellence-in-tree-biology).

The post-doctoral fellows will work on two main projects, details depending on their personal skills and interest:

- Assessing genetic diversity and adaptability of European in situ collection of forest genetic resources (https://www.euforgen.org/) at local and species level. Population genetic forward simulations and cross-validations to investigate the effect of e.g., genome size, time scale, spatial scale of disturbances, and population size changes on the performance of the multidimensional indexes used to describe the collection. The work will be part of a project FORGENIUS (https://www.forgenius.eu/) where genetic data is integrated with remote sensing, physiological and environmental information. This position requires interest and/or experience on e.g., population genetic simulations, conservation genomics, multivariate analysis, and/or machine learning methodology. The work will be conducted in close collaboration with other FORGENIUS partners across Europe.

- Understanding the evolutionary background of conifer polyermbryony in a Research Council of Finland funded project GENEOPIN: “Genetic determinants of embryo destiny in a polyembryonic seed – mortality, inbreeding depression and sibling rivalry in a pine nutshell ”. Population genetic analyses to evaluate compensation, competition and post-zygotic self-incompatibility system models of polyembryony evolution in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). This position requires interest in plant reproductive system evolution, population genetic analyses, bioinformatics and model evaluation. The work will be conducted in close collaboration with Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and a Doctoral Researcher working on the gene expression patterns of a developing seed. The work will consist mostly of computational work, but also some empirical and laboratory work including collecting seed and conducting crossings in Luke forest tree breeding station in southern Finland.

Qualifications

The successful applicants should have a doctoral degree, recorded scientific expertise and interest in evolutionary, population and/or conservation genetics. Experience in bioinformatics, population genetic analyses and quantitative genetics is an advantage. Research questions can be adjusted according to applicants interests and skills. The duties include a small amount of teaching and supervising students.

The salary of the postdoctoral researcher will be based on level 5 of the demands level chart for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The starting salary of the postdoctoral researcher will be ca. 3300–3700 euros/month, depending on the appointee's qualifications and experience. A six-month trial period will be applied and the workplace of the positions is Helsinki.

Finland is one of the most livable countries, with a high quality of life, safety and excellent education system. The successful candidate will receive the benefits provided by the University of Helsinki to university employees, including occupational health care services, and obtain access to high-quality public affordable childcare services and schools.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application as a single pdf file in English using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System. Please include the following in your application:

1. a letter of motivation (maximum 1 page)
2. a CV that includes a list of publications and the contact details of at least two referees.

The positions are filled as of 1 November 2023 (negotiable).

External applicants, please submit your application using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the Apply Now button.

Applicants who have a helsinki.fi username and a valid employment contract, a grant researcher's contract or a visiting researcher's contract at the University of Helsinki are requested to leave their application by using the Employee Login button.

The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

The closing date for applications is 8 September 2023 (at 23:59 EEST).

Further information

• The positions: Associate Professor Tanja Pyhäjärvi, tanja.pyhajarvi@helsinki.fi
• Recruitment system: HR Specialist Mirkka Juntunen, mirkka.juntunent@helsinki.fi

• Viikki Campus: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/campuses/viikki-campus
• Support for international staff: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/welcomeand https://ihhelsinki.fi(International House Helsinki)

About us

The University of Helsinki is among the leading multidisciplinary research universities in the world. In addition to its 11 faculties, the University includes several independent institutes, some of which are jointly operated with other universities. Some 35,000 students are currently pursuing an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree at the University of Helsinki. The University of Helsinki is an equal employer.

Work will take place at the department of Forest sciences (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-agriculture-and-forestry/research/forest-sciences), which a part of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-agriculture-and-forestry). The latter is nationally unique faculty with a high international standing. The mission of the faculty is to promote the sustainable use of renewable natural resources through scientific research and research-based teaching. We focus on agricultural and forest sciences, food and nutrition, microbiology, as well as on economics and management.