The Faculty of Science invites applications for
DOCTORAL RESEARCHER
in atmospheric sciences starting latest in January 2027 in a fixed term contract of 3 years.
Background
Weather forecasting helps us plan daily activities and prepare for extreme events. Today, most forecasts rely on powerful computer models that simulate the atmosphere using the laws of physics. These models are accurate but require enormous computing power. Artificial intelligence (AI) can predict the weather much faster and with less energy, but we still don’t fully understand how they make their predictions. The AI-Dream project will explore how AI “thinks” about weather by simplifying complex AI models and testing them under controlled conditions. By combining the speed of AI with the physical accuracy of traditional weather models, AI-Dream aims to create a new generation of forecasting tools that are faster, more efficient, and more trustworthy, helping scientists and society better anticipate weather events and the climate.
The doctoral researcher will be working on the AI-Dream project. They will have to develop criteria and evaluation suites to test the “physical” accuracy of deep Machine Learning (ML) models. The doctoral researcher will also use state-of-the-art methods to make the ML models explainable, namely Deep Linear Probes and Latent Space Cartography. This work will be associated with large dataset management in a HPC environment.
The doctoral researcher will work as part of the dynamic meteorology group at INAR, and be supervised by Dr. Clément Bouvier. The group covers a range of topics including atmospheric deep convection, extra-tropical cyclones, heat waves, ensemble prediction and algorithmic parameter estimation techniques as well as future changes to our weather and climate on global and regional scales.
The work will be done in close collaboration with the University of Cambridge (Cambridge, UK), the Washington University (Washington, US), the ECMWF (Reading, UK), and the Lahti University of Technology (Lahti, FI).
Doctoral researcher position
We are seeking a talented and motivated doctoral researcher (PhD student), who recently completed their MSc degree in the field of Physics, Meteorology, Computer Science, or any other similar area. MSc students near the completion of their degree are also encouraged to apply.
The candidate should have:
The appointee should either already have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki by the start of the appointment or apply for the right and obtain it within the probationary period of six months of their appointment. If the candidate does not already have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki, it must be applied for separately ( www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/the-application-process-in-a-nutshell). The requirements for pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki can be found at https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/eligibility-and-educational-documents
The candidate will get a chance to attend international conferences and present their scientific work in local and international meetings. As an employee of the University of Helsinki, the doctoral researcher will receive occupational health care, and will be entitled to sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development.
The doctoral researcher position starts the latest in January 2027 (or as soon as the position is filled). The position is initially for 3 years. The employment contract will include a probationary period of six months.
Research environment
Finland is a member of the EU, and has high quality free schooling (also in English), generous family benefits and healthcare, and was recently ranked as the best country in the world for expat families and in the world’s top ten most livable cities. Finland and the Helsinki region possess top expertise in sciences in terms of a vibrant talent pool, leading research, strong support services and functioning collaboration networks. For more information about working at the University of Helsinki and living in Finland, please see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/university/working-at-the-university
The starting salary of the doctoral researcher will be ca. 2700-2900 euros/month, depending on the appointees’ qualifications and experience. Furthermore, the University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development.
The University of Helsinki is a multidisciplinary research university that ranks among the best in the world and the top ten among European universities. The university has some 36,000 degree students. The Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) is a large multidisciplinary research unit based in physics, chemistry, meteorology, forest sciences, environmental sciences and social sciences in the University of Helsinki. INAR aims to strengthen the internationally leading, integrated multidisciplinary research and education environment for atmospheric and Earth system science and to feed in scientific results for the national and international environment and climate policy. It performs multiscale research from molecular to global scale and focuses on climate change, air quality, biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem processes.
How to apply
Please apply with;
Please submit all files in a single pdf document using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System by clicking the "Apply now" button. Applicants who are employees of the University of Helsinki are requested to leave their application via SAP Fiori. The deadline for applications is August the 28th of 2026. The selected candidates will be contacted personally and will be invited for an interview.
For further information, please contact Doctor Clément Bouvier, clement.bouvier(at)helsinki.fi.
