Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) in Butterfly Ecology and Climate Change across Europe

About the opportunity

The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki is offering a Doctoral Researcher position to investigate how butterflies respond to climate change across Europe. As part of the THERMOTRAIT project, the researcher will use museum specimens and field collections to analyze shifts in body size and wing pigmentation to determine if these changes help species cope with warming or signal vulnerability. The role involves international fieldwork across a climatic gradient from Catalonia to the Arctic Circle, museum work in Madrid, and advanced statistical modelling in R. The appointee is expected to complete an article-based PhD thesis and 30 ECTS of required studies.

Salary and benefits

• Gross monthly salary based on levels 2-4 for teaching and research staff in the Finnish university salary system (starting salary approximately EUR 2,600 per month).
• Occupational healthcare.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Support for international employees relocating to Finland.

Who can apply?

• Relevant MSc or equivalent qualification in ecology, evolutionary biology, conservation biology, zoology, environmental science, biogeography, or another relevant field. A BSc (Hons) may qualify if it permits entry to doctoral study in the country where it was awarded.
• Research training or experience through a thesis, dissertation, independent project, research assistantship, or equivalent research-based work.
• Foundation in quantitative analysis and willingness to develop skills in R, statistical modelling, and reproducible research.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English.
• Willingness to undertake international fieldwork, museum work, and research visits.
• Must have the right to pursue a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme in Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Sustainability in Society at the University of Helsinki by the start of the appointment, or apply for and obtain it within the six-month probationary period.
• Must complete the qualifying degree before employment begins.
• A valid driving licence and willingness to drive during fieldwork is normally required.

Required documents

• Motivation letter (maximum one page) describing research interests, motivation, and suitability.
• Curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages).
• List of publications and manuscripts in preparation (if applicable).
• Names and full contact details of two referees.
• Thesis or equivalent research work from the qualifying degree (or another substantial piece of academic/research writing).
• Transcript(s) for qualifying degree(s), including grading system explanation and weighted grade average (GPA) where applicable.
• Copy of the relevant degree certificate or diploma (or description of remaining studies and expected completion date if not yet complete).

When to apply

• Application deadline: September 30, 2026, at 23:59 Helsinki time.
• Position available from January 11, 2027, or as agreed.
• Interviews will take place online at the end of October 2026.

How to apply

• Submit the application through the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system.
• Current employees of the University of Helsinki should apply through the internal recruitment portal.
• Combine all required documents into a single PDF named lastname_firstname.