Fully Funded PhD Scholarship in Finland 2027: European Forest Plantation Modelling and Ecosystem Services Research
The University of Eastern Finland (UEF) is offering a fully funded doctoral researcher position for international candidates interested in forest science, environmental modelling, remote sensing, and sustainable forest management.
This PhD opportunity is part of the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND Doctoral Programme for Advancing Forest-Based Bioeconomy (DP-FOBI). The selected researcher will join the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, School of Forest Sciences, at the Joensuu campus in Finland. The four-year doctoral project focuses on developing advanced methods to understand the growth dynamics, management practices, and ecosystem services of forest plantations across Europe.
By combining forest inventory data, remote sensing information, spatial analysis, and statistical modelling, the research aims to support better decision-making for sustainable forestry, climate adaptation, and future bioeconomy strategies. The application deadline is 10 August 2026.
PhD Scholarship Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Host University | University of Eastern Finland |
| Country | Finland |
| Campus | Joensuu Campus |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology |
| Research Area | Forest Modelling, Plantation Forestry, Ecosystem Services |
| Programme | MSCA COFUND DP-FOBI Doctoral Programme |
| Degree | Doctoral Degree (PhD) |
| Duration | 4 Years |
| Employment Type | Full-time Temporary Position |
| Starting Date | By 1 April 2027 |
| Deadline | 10 August 2026 |
Research Topic: European Landscape-Level Assessment of Forest Plantation Growth Dynamics
Forest plantations play an important role in global timber production, biomass supply, climate mitigation, and ecosystem management.
However, plantation forests across Europe vary significantly in:
- Tree species composition
- Growth rates
- Management intensity
- Environmental conditions
- Exposure to climate-related disturbances
This doctoral project aims to develop new data-driven approaches to understand how plantation forests grow, function, and respond to changing environmental conditions.
The research will investigate:
- Where plantation forests are located across Europe
- How different forest types develop over time
- How management practices influence productivity
- How disturbances affect plantation performance
- How plantation forests contribute to ecosystem services
Research Methods and Scientific Approach
The doctoral researcher will integrate multiple European forestry datasets, including:
- National forest inventory databases
- Plantation mapping products
- Forest management records
- Remote sensing datasets
- Spatial environmental information
These datasets will be harmonised and analysed to create comprehensive models of European plantation forests.
The project will use advanced approaches such as:
- Forest biometric modelling
- Data mining
- Statistical modelling
- Geographic information systems (GIS)
- Spatial analysis
- Machine learning approaches
Expected Research Outcomes
The project aims to develop practical and scientific tools, including:
Harmonised Forest Datasets
The research will create integrated datasets that allow comparison of plantation forests across different European countries.
Growth and Yield Models
The project will develop modelling workflows to predict:
- Forest growth patterns
- Timber production potential
- Biomass availability
- Future management outcomes
Decision-Support Tools
The research will provide methods that support:
- Forest managers
- Researchers
- Policymakers
- Bioeconomy stakeholders
These tools can help evaluate plantation forestry strategies under future climate conditions.
Why This PhD Opportunity Is Valuable
This doctoral position offers the opportunity to work on internationally relevant research connecting forestry, climate change, data science, and sustainable development.
The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary research environment focused on:
- Plantation forestry
- Forest management
- Biomass production
- Ecosystem services
- Climate-resilient forestry
- Spatial decision support
Academic and Professional Benefits
Selected researchers will receive:
Expert Supervision
The doctoral researcher will receive guidance from experienced scientists to support successful completion of the PhD.
International Research Training
The DP-FOBI programme provides access to:
- Scientific workshops
- Summer schools
- Research visits
- International secondments
- Career development activities
Research Collaboration Opportunities
The position encourages collaboration with:
- International research groups
- Forestry organisations
- Industry partners
- Societal stakeholders
Salary and Funding Benefits
The position is funded through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND programme.
The four-year employment package includes:
- Living allowance: EUR 3,200 per month
- Mobility allowance: EUR 87 per month
- Family allowance: EUR 300 per month for eligible researchers
- Paid annual leave
- Additional holiday bonus
Additional financial support includes:
- Conference travel allowance: EUR 1,500 per year
- Secondment and research visit allowance: EUR 10,500 total
- Research costs: EUR 6,000 total
- Special needs support when applicable
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must have:
Academic Qualifications
A Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in:
- Forest sciences
- Environmental sciences
- Applied ecology
- Geoinformatics and modelling
- Related fields
Applicants must not hold a doctoral degree at the application deadline.
MSCA Mobility Requirement
Candidates must meet the MSCA mobility rule:
- Less than 12 months of residence or work experience in Finland during the previous three years before the deadline.
Required Skills and Preferred Experience
Applicants are expected to have:
- Experience with forest inventory data
- Knowledge of forest growth and yield modelling
- Understanding of plantation forestry
- Experience with remote sensing or spatial analysis
- Strong quantitative skills
- Ability to work with large international datasets
Technical skills expected include:
- R programming
- GIS software
- Statistical modelling
Additional advantages include:
- Python programming
- Google Earth Engine experience
- Spatial databases
- Machine learning
- Mixed modelling techniques
- Forest disturbance ecology knowledge
Responsibilities of the Doctoral Researcher
The selected researcher will:
- Conduct independent doctoral research
- Develop scientific publications
- Complete doctoral studies
- Participate in DP-FOBI training activities
- Create research and career development plans
- Collaborate with international researchers
- Present research findings at academic events
The researcher must enroll in the University of Eastern Finland Doctoral Programme in Science, Forestry and Technology. The University of Eastern Finland provides an international research environment focused on innovation and multidisciplinary collaboration. The Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology works across natural sciences, forestry, and technology research. International doctoral researchers benefit from:
- Access to Finnish healthcare and public services
- Modern research facilities
- Supportive academic networks
- Professional training opportunities
The University of Eastern Finland provides an international research environment focused on innovation and multidisciplinary collaboration. The Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology works across natural sciences, forestry, and technology research. International doctoral researchers benefit from:
- Modern research facilities
- Supportive academic networks
- Professional training opportunities
- Access to Finnish healthcare and public services
Application Process
Applications must be submitted in English through APPLY NOW. Application Deadline 10 August 2026 at 24:00 Finnish time (UTC+3) Required Documents; Applicants must submit:
- Certified copy of Master’s degree diploma
- Academic transcript of records
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Electronic copy of Master’s thesis
- Two-page English thesis summary
- Ethics Self-Assessment form
- Motivation letter
- Proof of English proficiency when required
Applicants must follow the official application templates. Incorrect formatting or incomplete applications may not be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is this PhD position in Finland fully funded?
Yes. The doctoral researcher position includes a four-year salary package, research funding, travel support, and employment benefits through MSCA COFUND.
2. Who can apply for this forestry PhD scholarship?
Applicants with a Master’s degree in forest sciences, environmental sciences, applied ecology, geoinformatics, modelling, or related fields can apply.
3. What is the main research focus?
The research focuses on modelling European plantation forests, analysing growth dynamics, ecosystem services, and climate-related risks.
4. Are programming skills required?
Yes. Experience with R, GIS software, and statistical modelling is expected. Knowledge of Python or Google Earth Engine is an advantage.
5. Can international students apply?
Yes. The scholarship is open to international applicants who meet academic and mobility requirements.
6. Where is the PhD position located?
The position is based at the University of Eastern Finland’s Joensuu campus.
7. What degree will I receive after completing the programme?
The researcher will receive a doctoral degree from the University of Eastern Finland.
8. What research tools may be used during the project?
The project may involve forest inventory datasets, GIS, remote sensing, statistical modelling, spatial databases, and machine learning methods.
9. Is Finnish language required?
No. The research environment is international, but applicants must meet the doctoral programme’s language requirements.
10. What is the application deadline?
The deadline is 10 August 2026.
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