Doctoral Researcher in Evolutionary Ecology of Arctic Phytoplankton (PhD) Åbo Akademi University in Finland

Åbo Akademi University is recruiting a Doctoral Researcher in Evolutionary Ecology of Arctic Phytoplankton for a fixed-term, salaried PhD position in Turku, Finland. The project is funded by the Research Council of Finland and focuses on climate-driven dispersal, Arctic diversity, and the evolutionary ecology of the diatom genus Thalassiosira.

The doctoral researcher will work within the Marine and Environmental Biology unit at the Faculty of Science and Engineering. The research combines Arctic field sampling, seasonal sampling in Greenland, phytoplankton isolation and cultivation, molecular and population genetic analyses, controlled laboratory and community experiments, and eco-evolutionary modelling. The dissertation will mainly address whether temperate diatom strains persist across seasons in Arctic environments and how warming and dispersal affect intraspecific diversity and community resilience.

The project offers an international collaboration network involving Åbo Akademi University, the University of Turku, Alfred Wegener Institute (Germany), Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, and Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries. This creates opportunities for Arctic fieldwork, lab exchanges, and training in molecular methods, population genetics, phytoplankton ecology, and eco-evolutionary research.

Eligibility highlights: a Master’s degree in marine biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, microbiology, or a related field; strong interest in marine ecology, climate change biology, biodiversity, and evolutionary ecology; good quantitative and analytical skills; strong English communication; teamwork and independent working ability. Experience with DNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, microsatellite genotyping, amplicon sequencing, metabarcoding, bioinformatics, R, experiments, sterile cultivation, microscopy, or Arctic/sea-ice ecology is advantageous.

Funding: salaried full-time doctoral employment. Starting salary is approximately €2,700/month and may increase to about €3,500/month as the degree progresses. The position runs until 31 August 2030. Teaching and supervision may take up to 5% of working time.

Application deadline: 30 September 2026 at 15:00 Finnish time. Apply through the university’s electronic application form and include diplomas/transcripts, a motivation letter or research statement, two referees, and a CV with publications. After acceptance, a separate application for admission to the doctoral programme at Åbo Akademi University is required.