PhD Position in Climate–carbon cycle feedbacks in northern ecosystems: post-glacial peatland development and prospects under climate change

The Department of Geology, Division of Quaternary Geology at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Estonia, invites applications for a 4-year PhD position focused on climate–carbon cycle feedbacks in northern ecosystems, with a particular emphasis on post-glacial peatland development and the prospects for these ecosystems under climate change. This research is situated within the framework of the EU Horizon Past to Future (P2F) project, offering a unique opportunity to engage with international collaborators and cutting-edge research in climate modelling and environmental science. The successful candidate will investigate how climate-driven changes have influenced peatland development and carbon cycling since deglaciation, and will evaluate future prospects for peatland restoration in boreal regions. The project integrates GIS-based spatiotemporal modelling, analysis of extensive peat-related observational datasets (such as the Estonian Peat database), and advanced climate–ecosystem simulations. Key research questions include the impact of historical and future climate variations on peat accumulation, degradation, fire regimes, and the overall carbon sequestration capacity of northern peatlands. As a PhD student, you will collect, evaluate, and systematise existing datasets, use GIS tools to reconstruct post-glacial peatland development, and determine long-term climate–carbon cycle interactions. You will produce projections of peatland and carbon-cycle dynamics under various IPCC climate-change scenarios, manage your research project, attend PhD courses, publish scientific articles, and participate in international meetings and workshops. The position offers access to state-of-the-art biostratigraphy and geochemistry laboratories, fieldwork equipment, scientific literature, and necessary software at TalTech. You will join a supportive and collaborative team and have opportunities for conference visits, research stays, and networking with leading European research centres. Applicants must have an MSc degree in Earth or Natural Science or a related field, excellent English skills, strong analytical and writing abilities, and the capacity to work both independently and as part of an international team. Experience with GIS-based modelling, R or Python, peatland ecology, big-data handling, and numerical analysis is highly advantageous. The position is fully funded for four years, though specific stipend or tuition details are not provided. To apply, prepare your CV, motivation letter, degree certificates, research plan, and a copy of your passport, and submit these documents to Dr. Anneli Poska at [email protected]. For more information on the application process, visit TalTech's PhD admission page . The application deadline is March 31, 2026.