Postdoctoral researcher in global sustainable water-food futures

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 13 000 students, 400 professors and close to 4 500 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

Postdoctoral researcher in global sustainable water-food futures

Aalto University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher position within the Water and Environmental Engineering Research Group WAT (https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-built-environment/water-and-environmental-engineering). The position is related to the Strategic Research Council of Finland (SRC) funded research project Navigating the route to sustainable water-food futures (Water&Food) . Water&Food’s goal is to promote sustainable water management in food systems by advancing our understanding of its mechanisms and practices. The postdoc will work on Water&Food work package 4: Environmental and societal global drivers of future water-food nexus. The position will be filled until the end of year 2027.

This open postdoc position focuses on assessing and modelling the impact of multiple drivers on future food demand and supply globally, with a particular focus on water. A specific emphasis is put on the different adaptation and mitigation options such as improved agricultural management, food loss reduction, changing diets, and future food technologies, to reduce environmental impacts while ensuring sufficient food for all.

Requirements

The applicant is expected to have a strong drive towards excellence in science and have an ability for innovative thinking both individually and within a team.

The position requires a doctoral degree from the relevant field such as food and agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, geoinformatics, data science, hydrology or water resources management. The doctoral degree should have been awarded within the past 5 years. We accept applications from persons at the final stage of their doctoral studies, but we expect you to have your doctoral degree completed before starting in the position.

The applicant should have:

• Strong skills in analysing large spatiotemporal datasets

• Good expertise with high-level programming language(s) such as Python, R, or Matlab

• Fluent written and oral communication skills in English.

• Previous experience with food system research

• Familiarity with scenario modelling

In addition, following are particularly meriting:

• Experience with global hydrological models and reanalysis products

• Experience with machine learning algorithms

What we offer

Successful applicants will join a young and dynamic team of world-class researchers at Aalto University’s Water and Environmental Engineering Research Group WAT, while also being an active and important member of the Water&Food research community.

• We offer you an interesting job in an inspiring and multidisciplinary work environment. We will familiarize you with your work tasks, and you will be part of a competent team that will provide you with support for your tasks.

• You will also become an important part of a wide and unique network of other postdoctoral researchers as well as doctoral researchers, early career and senior researchers within the Water&Food research consortium.

• We encourage and offer opportunities for continuous development of your own expertise.

• The contract includes Aalto University’s extensive occupational health care.

• We work in a hybrid way with flexible office hours, and the primary workplace is at our active university campus in Otaniemi, Espoo.

Funding for the postdoctoral researcher position is available until the end of 2027. The expected starting date is as soon as possible. Aalto University follows the salary system of Finnish universities. The starting salary for postdoctoral researchers at Aalto University is currently around 3960 € per month (gross), which may be gradually increased over time according to performance.

The annual total workload of research and teaching staff at Aalto University is 1612 hours.

Ready to apply?

Please submit your application through our eRecruitment system (click the Apply now! link on this page) by Sunday 19th of January (midnight Finnish time).

Please include the following documents in English:

• Letter of Motivation (max 1 page), where you introduce yourself and describe your motivation for the position. Also, clearly indicate your relevant competences and skills related to the positions.   

• Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages), including contact details of two relevant referees. You are also encouraged to include links to your possible LinkedIn page or other similar websites. 

• List of Publications, including a link to your Doctoral Thesis (if available)

Aalto University reserves the right to leave the position open, extend the application period, re-open the application process, and to consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.

Our workplace values equality and diversity, and we therefore encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for our open position.

Further information

Further information about working at Aalto University can be found from these websites:

https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto

https://www.aalto.fi/aalto-university/international-staff-information-package

More information about the position can be asked from Associate Professor Matti Kummu (matti.kummu@aalto.fi). For questions about recruitment, please contact HR Partner Sanni Mero (sanni.mero@aalto.fi).  

Want to know more about Aalto University and our community?

You can watch these videos:

Aalto University – Towards a better world

Aalto People

Shaping a Sustainable Future

About Finland

Finland is a great place for living with or without family – it is a safe, politically stable and well-organized Nordic society. Finland is consistently ranked high in quality of life and was listed as the happiest country in the world seventh year in a row: https://worldhappiness.report .

For more information about living in Finland:

https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/for-international-staff

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