The Faculty of Science of University of Helsinki invites applications for
POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCHER
Background
The post-doctoral researcher will be working on the EU’s Destination Earth Climate Change Adaptation Digital Twin Project, Phase 3 ( https://destine.ecmwf.int), where INAR is a contributing member. The Climate DT project is setting up an operational simulation framework that enables to produce bespoke climate and impact-sector information, combining global kilometer-scale climate models (IFS-NEMO, IFS-FESOM, and ICON) in a unified operational workflow producing both multi-decadal climate projections and storyline simulations.
Within Climate DT, the present research task focuses on evaluation of Climate DT simulation quality via direct use of raw Earth observations. The UH team has developed an approach, where simulation data is projected into observation-space quantities while the workflow is active, enabling both run-time reality check and rigorous posterior evaluation of the operational simulations. This novelty is implemented into the integrated workflow and the UH team has therefore access to evaluation material that is very informative about the fine-scale details of modelled versus observed km-scale processes.
The post-doctoral researcher will explore into this virgin evaluation material with hands-on and contribute to creating new insights into the systematic errors of the Climate DT models and how they affect the adaptation information, developing new methods to utilize the unique material, and also maintain and further develop the observation projection workflow system within Climate DT. Tasks may also include integration of new observation types into the system, in addition to the present synoptic surface observations, radiosoundings, and AMSU-A space-based radiance data.
The post-doctoral researcher will work in the dynamic meteorology research group at INAR, led by Professor Heikki Järvinen. The group is active in topics such as atmospheric convection, extra-tropical cyclones, and ensemble prediction including algorithmic parameter estimation. The group’s main modelling tool in research and teaching is OpenIFS of ECMWF. Research within the Climate DT involves participation in and traveling to meetings in Europe, such as at ECMWF, BSC, and AWI.
Post-doctoral researcher position
University of Helsinki is seeking for a motivated candidate with a doctoral degree in relevant field regarding the background description of the position and with demonstrated skills in weather and climate modelling, model evaluation, global observing systems, and high-performance computing – the better your profile overlaps with these domains, the higher you rank at the evaluation step.
The candidate is expected to
The candidate must have excellent skills in written and spoken English, Python-language and scripting as well as Linux and HPC environments. Previous experience in model evaluation, statistical data analysis, and machine learning are seen as advantages. The position involves attending international conferences and presenting scientific or technical work in local and international meetings.
The post-doctoral researcher position starts the latest in January 2027, or, as soon as the position is filled. The position is initially for two years with a possibility of renewal. 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 in Finnish/Swedish/English, generous family benefits and healthcare, and was recently ranked as the best country in the world for arriving families. Helsinki is continuously ranked 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 University of Helsinki is a multi-disciplinary Nordic research university that ranks among the top100 universities in the world, with some 36,000 degree-students. The Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) at the Faculty of Science is a large research unit based on physics, chemistry, meteorology as well as forest, environmental, and social sciences. INAR aims to strengthen the internationally leading, integrated multi-disciplinary research and education environment for atmospheric and Earth system science and to feed in scientific results for the national and international climate and environment policy from molecular to global scales, focusing on changing weather and climate, air quality, biogeochemical cycles, and ecosystem processes.
The starting salary of a post-doctoral researcher with previous work experience will be ca. 4000 - 4400 euros/month, depending on the appointees’ qualifications and experience. The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care, health insurance, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development, such as pedagogical and leadership training for higher education. The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of gender identities, linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
How to apply
Please prepare the following documents:
Please submit the documents as a single pdf-file 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 position is filled as soon as a well-merited applicant is found. The deadline for applications is 10 August 2026. It can be extended, however, until a qualified candidate is found and contracted. The top-ranking candidates will be contacted personally and will be invited for an interview.
For further information, please contact Professor Heikki Järvinen, heikki.j.jarvinen(at)helsinki.fi
