The University of Eastern Finland invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) position in the SPACEFEN project, focusing on the spatio-temporal dynamics of degrading palsa mires and their greenhouse gas fluxes across Fennoscandia. This multidisciplinary project, funded by the Research Council of Finland, is a collaboration between UEF and the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), and aims to advance understanding of permafrost landscape forms (palsas) and their role in climate feedback mechanisms. The project seeks to connect the life cycle phases of permafrost palsas with variations in greenhouse gas emissions, using advanced remote sensing and data analysis techniques.

The successful candidate will join the Department of Geographical and Historical Studies at the Joensuu Campus, working within a vibrant international research team. The position is full-time, starting 1 April 2026, and is offered for a fixed term of three years. The PhD researcher will engage in both office and field work, including multiple field campaigns in Northern Finland and Norway. Key responsibilities include collecting field data, processing remote sensing and UAV data, conducting UAV flights, and performing data analysis using machine and deep learning methods. Collaboration within the SPACEFEN consortium and with FMI researchers is integral to the role, with opportunities to work on digital palsa inventory, change detection, and InSAR data for subsidence and upheave studies.

Candidates should have a background in geography, ecology, environmental sciences, geoinformatics, or computer science. Experience or interest in Arctic and peatland ecosystems, field work, and drone operations is highly valued. A driver’s license and drone license are considered advantages. Applicants must be eligible for doctoral education, holding a suitable higher university degree or equivalent foreign qualification, and possess excellent English language skills. Selection will consider research ideas, academic performance, research merits, international orientation, and empirical experience. The successful candidate must apply for and obtain the right to pursue postgraduate studies at UEF before starting employment.

The position offers a competitive salary based on Finnish university standards, with a job-related salary element (EUR 2,281.48–2,844.66/month) and a personal salary element (6–50% of the job-related salary). The university provides comprehensive staff benefits, including occupational health care, training opportunities, affordable campus lunches, and sports services. The working environment is international, creative, and participatory, with flexible multi-location work options and strong support for professional development.

Applications must be submitted electronically by 15 February 2026. Required documents include a CV, list of publications, motivation letter, degree certificate/diploma, transcript of records, and language proficiency certificates if applicable. Documents must be in Finnish or English, with official translations as needed. For further information, contact project leader Timo Kumpula, Franziska Wolff, or Head of Department Pieter Dhondt. For application procedure queries, contact HR-Specialist Airi Leppänen.

Join the University of Eastern Finland and contribute to cutting-edge research on climate change and permafrost dynamics in a safe, modern, and innovative country. Learn more about the university and life in Finland at www.uef.fi/en.