DOCTORAL STUDENT DOCTORAL SCHOOL IN NATURAL SCIENCES, The University of Helsinki – Among the best in the world. Founded in 1640, the University of Helsinki is one of the best multidisciplinary research universities in the world. The University of Helsinki is an international academic community of 40,000 students and staff members.

It operates on four campuses in Helsinki and at 9 other locations. The high-quality research carried out by the university creates new knowledge for educating diverse specialists in various fields, and for utilization in social decision-making and the business sector.

The University of Helsinki Doctoral Programme in Atmospheric Sciences (ATM-DP) invites applications for two

DOCTORAL CANDIDATE POSITIONS for a 1–4 year period starting from 1.1.2016. The duration of the employment contract depends on the phase of the appointee´s thesis.

The Doctoral Programme in Atmospheric Sciences aims to educate a next generation of top-level scientists and experts with all the necessary multidisciplinary skills to tackle the future challenges of climate change, air quality matters and biosphere-atmosphere interactions.

The units participating in ATM-DP are:

Faculty of Science:

  •  Department of Physics (Division of
  • Atmospheric Sciences)
  • Department of Chemistry (Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry)
  • Department of Geosciences and Geography

Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry:

  • Department of Forest Sciences

Faculty of Bio- and Environmental Sciences:

The research topics of ATM-DP include:

The duties of a doctoral candidate are to work on his or her own doctoral thesis and to complete his or her postgraduate studies. The duties can include also teaching and other tasks. Teaching tasks can account for up to 5 % of the annual working time.

The appointee must hold ability and motivation, as demonstrated through previous degree studies or otherwise, to pursue postgraduate studies and a doctoral degree according to the study plan and research proposal. By the start of the appointment the appointee must obtain the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki and must hold a second-cycle degree (e.g. master’s degree or equivalent). To successfully attend to the duties of the position, the appointee must also have good communication skills in English.

The University of Helsinki offers a salary dependent on qualifications and work experience. The salary is based on levels 2–4 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee shall be paid a salary component based on personal work performance. The salary is EUR 2051–3006 per month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. The appointment starts with a probationary period of four months.

How to Apply:

The applications must be submitted electronically by filling in the form, which can be found at http://blogs.helsinki.fi/atm-dp/applying-doctoral-student-postitions-2015/ after the call opens on 1.9.2015. The deadline for submitting the application is 30.9.2015, 16:00 EEST (UTC/GMT +3 hours).

The below listed attachments must be provided in one pdf-file in English, Finnish or Swedish. For the documents in other languages, translation to one of these languages must be included. Attachments required from all applicants:

  • Curriculum vitae
  • List of publications (if applicable)
  • Initial research plan (max 3 pages)

Attachments required from applicants who are not currently students of the University of Helsinki:

In addition, a recommendation letter from the intended supervisor of applicant’s PhD studies in ATM-DP is needed. The e-form for the recommendation letter will be accessible through the same web page as the application form.

The applications are evaluated based on the applicant’s performance in previous studies, recommendations by the supervisors (and others), previous research and other merits (if such exist), suitability of the research topic within the doctoral programme, and the quality of the research plan. In case of evenly evaluated applicants, they may be interviewed and the balance between ATM-DP subject areas considered for making the final decision.

For further information on the doctoral schools, please see https://university.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/doctoral-schools-and-programmes

For further information on the doctoral student positions, please see http://blogs.helsinki.fi/atm-dp/, or contact coordinator Pauli Paasonen (pauli.paasonen(at)helsinki.fi, +358-50-33 05 234) or one of the ATM-DP Steering Committee members / department representatives:

Apply at latest 30.09.2015

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