Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is a research organisation working to promote bioeconomy and sustainable use of natural resources. We provide solutions and services to our customers based on best available scientific knowledge. Our research results and services generate added value and sustainability as well as scientific evidence to support decision making. We carry out research for example on forestry, agriculture, food, game, and fisheries, and perform also statutory services.
Being open-minded and curious and having a strong will to leave a positive mark to the world binds Luke people together. Together we build a positive working culture where each other’s work is highly respected. In Luke, the work assignments are versatile and employees can influence the content of their work.
We work in a mobile work culture which gives you the possibility to work from wherever in Finland it suits you the best. Luke offers a multidisciplinary international research environment with unique research infrastructures, experimental sites and well-equipped laboratories.
Luke employs around 45 top research professors in different fields. Luke’s Professorship Policy ensures transparency, predictability and international comparability in professor recruitments. For new employees coming from abroad Luke offers relocation packages which provide remarkable help in moving to and settling in Finland.
An important asset for research at Luke is the multidisciplinary, innovative and ambitious researcher community and the availability of a wide range of technical staff. Our Intercultural Community offers possibilities to share experiences and competence, and supports the development of internationality in Luke.
Work tasks
One of the greatest challenges we are facing today is finding solutions to secure food supply under the pressure of a growing population, climate change, other environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. At the same time, changes in peoples dietary habits force us to consider how to produce healthy and nutritious food with a high ethical and ecological value. To achieve these goals, we need novel and innovative genetic approaches to enhance breeding programmes for agricultural and horticultural crops.
Advanced phenotyping systems that use digitalisation and new sensor technologies, combined with genomic technologies, including functional genomics and genome editing technologies, provide new information for breeding through genomic selection approaches. As a result, we can genetically enhance the resilience of crops by improving resistance to diseases, for example, while reducing the use of chemical crop protection agents.
The Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is looking for a research professor in the field of applied plant genomics (tenure track: associate or full professor). The research professor’s tasks include planning and conducting ambitious, innovative and multidisciplinary research projects, and securing of long-term funding from various funding sources. The research professor will also actively develop the research area, provide supervision for early-career researchers and be an active member of national and international research and stakeholder networks.
In addition, the research professor is expected to actively publish in peer-reviewed, high-impact journals and disseminate research results to relevant policy makers, business actors, farmers and the public. In addition, the research professor is expected to implement and co-develop the research strategy in Genetics and breeding focus area together with research managers, research professors and leading scientists.
A personnel security clearance may be obtained for a person chosen for an office or a post with his or her consent (Security Clearance Act 726/2014). For more information on the security clearance procedure and the rights of the person subject to clearance
Qualifications
The person selected for the position of research professor must be a leading specialist in the field of plant genomics and plant biotechnology. The new professor will join and strengthen the research area of genomics and breeding at Luke. This research area brings together scientists and experts working on genomic selection and quantitative genetics, molecular genetics and genomics.
Luke provides information on biodiversity in crops and properties important for breeding, and develops breeding methods for crops in the boreal ecosystem, among others. Luke works in close cooperation with commercial breeders and national breeding and genetic resources programmes.
The candidate should have a doctoral degree in molecular biology, genetics, genomics or similar field, and a profound understanding of crop breeding and production, as well as the food production system. Experience in crop production in the boreal region is considered as an advantage. The successful applicant must have competence in molecular genetics, genomics and molecular breeding technologies. Expertise in bioinformatics and the ability to apply statistical methods to genomic data are considered as an advantage.
A strong proven track record of relevant scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and proven record of successful acquisition of external research funding is required. The person must have good cooperation skills and strong international networks. Experience in building and leading research networks and supervising early-career researchers is considered as an advantage.
The person should also show competence in generating and leading interdisciplinary international research projects and consortia with high scientific and social impact. Good skills in oral and written English are required, as well as experience of science dissemination and outreach. The successful candidate must comply with Lukes rules on open science and data policy.
Scope of employment
Form of employment: Temporary employment
Scope: Office work
Commencement: 1.11.2023 or according to a contract.
Time-limited to: 31.10.2028 Nature of the position
Applicant with a permanent professor position at a university may be appointed to a permanent research professor position at Luke.
Application
Last application date: 15.5.2023 16.00
Reference number: 30-162-2023
You can apply for this job via:
You may also apply for this position by submitting your application to the address below. The job reference of the role must be cited both in the actual application and on the envelope. Applications will not be returned.
Luonnonvarakeskuksen kirjaamo
Latokartanonkaari 9
00790 Helsinki, FINLAND
Please attach to the application appendices written in English, and name the files as follows:
•Appendix 1: Application letter
• Appendix 2: Complete curriculum vitae (full name, date and place of birth, nationality, current residence, education and degrees awarded, linguistic skills, current and previous positions, major research funding obtained, research leadership, list of supervised PhDs and post doctoral researchers, other academic merits, number of peer-reviewed articles, as well as H-index, total citations and average citation per item including the used database, such as Web of Science or Google Scholar) (maximum 10 pages)
- Appendix 3: Complete list of publications and copies of 10 selected publications most relevant for the professorship
- Appendix 4: Summary of research activities carried out so far, including aspects of customer interphase work; societal impact of research; dissemination of research results (maximum 2 pages)
- Appendix 5: Research plan for the next 5-year term, please use Luke’s research plan template at https://www.luke.fi/sites/default/files/2022-08/Luke%20Research%20plan%20template.pdf.
- Appendix 6: Names and contact information of 3 referees. Please make sure your referees are aware of your application and that we may be in contact with them.
Salary
The position is at complexity level 12-13 in Luke’s salary system and the position-specific salary is EUR 5 426,98 – 6 128,40 per month. In addition, a salary component based on personal performance will be paid (max. 50% of the position-specific salary). A new employee’s personal performance component depends on competence and experience and generally falls in the range of 15-20%. The applicant may also present a separate salary request.
Benefits
Our mobile work model allows you to work in Finland in the location most appropriate for your work. In addition, we provide flexible hours, and as your employment with us continues, long vacations. We offer lunch benefits, as well as sports, culture or commuting support.
For international recruits, we provide a relocation package, which includes concrete support for coming to Finland and Luke (eg. residence permit, various registration procedures, banking and taxation, finding an apartment).
Employment
Number of positions advertised: 1
Contact
Contact person
Antti Asikainen Executive Vice President, Research +358 29 532 3250 antti.asikainen@luke.fi
Office
Natural Resources Institute Finland
Tietotie 4
31600 Jokioinen
Other
Please note that the application period expires on 15 May 2023 at 4.00 pm Finnish time (EEST). Unfortunately, we are unable to consider late applications.