Three post-doc positions in salmonid fish ecological and evolutionary genomics and conservation

Three Post-Doc Positions in Salmonid Fish Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics and Conservation

The University of Helsinki is an international scientific community of 40,000 students and researchers. It is one of the leading multidisciplinary research universities and ranks among the top 100 international universities in the world, and 8th in the world in Ecology. We are an equal opportunity employer and offer an attractive and diverse workplace in an inspiring environment with a variety of development opportunities and benefits. The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences is Finland's largest and most high-profile and extensive hub of research and teaching in the field. The Faculty educates experts to meet the needs of universities, research institutes, government, schools and the business sector.

Up to three post-doctoral positions are available at the University of Helsinki, Finland working in the research groups of Prof. Craig Primmer and Dr. Tutku Aykanat as a part of several related research consortia funded by the Research Council of Finland, the Kone Foundation and the ERC, with a focus on using the well studied Teno Atlantic salmon system as a model for adaptive management to assess biological and societal effects of recent anthropogenic changes on the Atlantic salmon metapopulation, alongside a detailed genetic and ecological evaluation of Pink salmon invasion in the river basin and the greater region.

Successful applicants will likely have a strong background in research related to at least one of the themes listed below, but the specific combination of expertise is flexible, with the overall composition of the team being most important.

• Effects of management and ecosystem-related changes on salmon life-history phenotype and genotypes
• Evolutionary genomic approaches for assessing the effects of recent fishing management changes and invasive Pink salmon abundance on life-history phenotypes and genotypes
• Assessing sex-specific natural selection effects at key life-history loci due to anthropogenic and environmental factors
• Use of long-term data on Teno salmon reproductive fitness to assess potential sex-specific effects of recent fishing management changes and invasive Pink salmon abundance selection on Atlantic salmon life-history traits
• Pink salmon genetics: determining the genetic basis of successful invasion
• Use of long-term scale material to identify genomic regions and structural variation potentially associated with higher invasion success

  Instructions for applying Appointees to the positions shall hold a doctoral degree and have the ability to conduct independent scholarly work. Suitable applicants will likely have a strong background in at least some of the themes and approaches listed above, although the species/system with which they have experience is less important. The ability to work as a part of a larger multidisciplinary research team addressing related questions is also important. Informal inquiries can be directed to Professor Craig Primmer (craig.primmer(at)helsinki.fi) and Dr. Tutku Aykanat (tutku.aykanat(at)helsinki.fi). Formal applications should include as a single pdf file:

  • a CV including a list of publications and with names and contact details of at least two referees
  • an approx. 1 page letter of motivation that includes specification of the theme (or themes) you are most interested in

    To apply, please submit your application using the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system by clicking on the Apply now button. If you need technical support with the recruitment system, please contact recruitment(at)helsinki.fi. The deadline for applications is 23:59 EEST on 7.8.2026 and remote interviews of short-listed candidates are planned for 17-21.8.2026. The positions are available from 1.9.2026 but start dates up to mid 2027 will be considered (although an earlier start is preferred). Positions are available for up to three years, with continuations dependent on obtaining additional funding.

    Salary Due to different sources of funding, either a salary or a tax-free stipend may be paid. Salaries 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 with the overall starting salary amounting to c. 3700-4300 EUR per month, depending on the previous relevant research experience of the candidate. The tax-free stipend, paid by Kone Foundation directly to the candidate, amounts to €3200 monthly (including compulsory pension and insurance payments), and can be topped up with 10% salary (see above). A grant-funded researcher contract is made with a candidate, who receives tax-free stipend instead of salary.

    Why Finland? Finland is a member of the EU, has high quality free schooling (also in English), very affordable childcare, generous family benefits and healthcare, and has been ranked as the world's happiest country six years running and the best country in the world for expat families and the City of Helsinki is in the world's top ten most livable cities. The University of Helsinki is a top 100 ranked university in most ranking lists, is ranked 8th in the world in Ecology (Shanghai subject ranking) and is currently investing heavily in life science research.