PhD Funded Position in Evolutionary Ecology of Arctic Phytoplankton – Åbo Akademi University, Finland

Åbo Akademi University is inviting applications for a full-time salaried Doctoral Researcher position in Evolutionary Ecology of Arctic Phytoplankton. The position is based within the Marine and Environmental Biology unit of the Faculty of Science and Engineering in Turku, Finland. The doctoral position is part of a Research Council of Finland-funded project, titled “Climate-driven Dispersal, risk or potential for Arctic diversity”. The project investigates how global warming, species dispersal, and adaptation interact to influence genetic and phenotypic diversity in Arctic marine ecosystems.

The appointment can begin as soon as possible and no later than 1 January 2027. It is a fixed-term position running until 31 August 2030, when the research project ends. The position is full-time and is primarily based at Åbo Akademi University’s campus in Turku. The successful candidate will become part of Åbo Akademi University’s international research community. The university provides access to occupational healthcare, advanced research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities, and a multicultural and friendly working environment.

The combination of salaried doctoral employment, international research collaboration, Arctic fieldwork, laboratory training, and access to specialist research infrastructure makes the position particularly relevant for researchers planning careers in marine biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, and climate-change research.

Key Details

Detail	Information
Position	Doctoral Researcher in Evolutionary Ecology of Arctic Phytoplankton
University	Åbo Akademi University
Location	Turku, Finland
Faculty	Faculty of Science and Engineering
Research Unit	Marine and Environmental Biology
Project	Climate-driven Dispersal, risk or potential for Arctic diversity
Research Area	Evolutionary ecology, Arctic marine biology, phytoplankton
Employment Type	Full-time, fixed-term
Start Date	As soon as possible, no later than 1 January 2027
End Date	31 August 2030
Starting Salary	Approximately €2,700/month
Salary Near PhD Completion	Approximately €3,500/month
Trial Period	6 months
PhD Requirement	Master’s degree in a relevant field
Primary Research Location	Turku, Finland, with Arctic fieldwork in Greenland
Application Language	English
Application Deadline	30 September 2026 at 15:00 Finnish time
Teaching/Supervision	Maximum 5% of working time
Working Time	1,612 hours per year

About the Research Project

The project addresses what the researchers describe as the “intraspecific diversity black box”: understanding not simply where species occur, but the processes that determine genetic and phenotypic variation within species as the climate changes.

The Arctic is experiencing rapid environmental change. Global warming is contributing to shifts in species distributions and ecosystem functioning, including the poleward expansion of Atlantic waters and the dispersal of temperate species into Arctic environments. While many consequences have been documented at the species level, the effects on variation within species remain less understood.

This is important because intraspecific diversity can influence ecosystem resilience and function. Understanding how local populations respond to warming and new dispersal pathways may therefore improve our ability to predict how Arctic ecosystems will change.

Why Study Arctic Phytoplankton?

Phytoplankton form the base of marine food webs, making them especially important for understanding marine ecosystem responses to climate change. Their broad distribution, high dispersal capacity, and rapid life cycles mean that phytoplankton can potentially expand northward while also adapting quickly to changing environmental conditions. However, much of the existing knowledge about adaptive potential comes from laboratory studies, while the role of dispersal in shaping evolutionary outcomes remains comparatively unexplored. The project therefore examines the interaction between dispersal and adaptation and how these processes influence intraspecific diversity under climate change.

Focus on the Diatom Genus Thalassiosira

The research will focus on the ecologically important diatom genus Thalassiosira. The project combines several complementary approaches, including:

• Arctic field sampling
• Controlled laboratory experiments
• Community experiments
• Eco-evolutionary modelling
• Genetic and molecular techniques
• Population genetic analyses
• Trait analysis
• Studies of ecosystem and community function

The project is divided into three interconnected work packages. WP1 examines dispersal and population structure. WP2 investigates whether Arctic seasonality constrains the northward expansion of temperate strains. WP3 explores how warming and dispersal alter intraspecific diversity and how these changes affect community functioning.

Doctoral Research Focus

The doctoral researcher’s dissertation will primarily contribute to WP2 and WP3.

Two central research questions are:

1. Do temperate diatom strains persist across seasons in Arctic environments?
2. Does climate change weaken local adaptation and promote dispersal, with consequences for intraspecific diversity and community resilience?

To investigate these questions, the successful candidate will participate in Arctic fieldwork and seasonal sampling in Greenland. They will also isolate and culture phytoplankton strains, conduct molecular and population genetic analyses, and perform experiments examining the effects of warming and dispersal on phytoplankton populations and communities. An additional benefit is the opportunity for the doctoral researcher to develop a complementary research project aligned with their own expertise and scientific interests. This complementary work can form one chapter of the PhD thesis.

International Research Network

The successful candidate will join an international research network spanning Finland, Germany, and Greenland. The project involves collaboration with researchers and institutions including:

• Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Germany
• Greenland Institute of Natural Resources (GINR), Greenland
• University of Turku, Finland
• Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Germany

These collaborations provide opportunities for Arctic fieldwork, international laboratory exchanges, and specialist training in molecular methods, population genetics, phytoplankton ecology, and eco-evolutionary research.

Main Responsibilities

The principal responsibility of the doctoral researcher is to work toward the doctoral thesis while contributing to the wider research project. The main duties include data collection, data management and analysis, scientific writing and publishing, communication of research findings, and contribution to the development of the project’s research activities. The successful applicant will work as part of an international research team and collaborate on activities related to evolutionary ecology. The university describes the position as offering an independent yet collaborative role in an international and interdisciplinary research environment.

Required Qualifications

Applicants should be highly motivated to pursue doctoral research combining ecology, evolution, and genetics in the context of climate change and Arctic marine biodiversity. The required qualifications include:

• A Master’s degree in marine biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, microbiology, or a related discipline.
• Strong interest in marine ecology, climate-change biology, biodiversity research, and/or evolutionary ecology.
• Good quantitative and analytical skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English.
• Good collaboration skills and the ability to work independently as well as within an international research team.
• Strong motivation to undertake doctoral studies and contribute to fieldwork, laboratory research, data analysis, and scientific publishing.

Additional Skills That Can Strengthen an Application

Experience in molecular biology and genetic analysis is particularly welcome, although these skills are not mandatory. Relevant experience may include:

• DNA extraction
• PCR and qPCR
• Microsatellite genotyping
• Amplicon sequencing
• Metabarcoding
• Related molecular laboratory techniques
• Bioinformatic analysis of genetic data
• Statistical analysis
• Programming in R

Additional advantages include experience in phytoplankton ecology, Arctic ecology, or sea-ice ecology, as well as experience conducting experiments, sterile laboratory work, phytoplankton cultivation, microscopy, phytoplankton identification, and cell counting. Knowledge of eco-evolutionary processes such as adaptation, dispersal ecology, biodiversity, and biodiversity-function relationships is also considered an advantage.

Importantly, meriting qualifications are encouraged but not mandatory. Candidates should therefore not assume that they are ineligible simply because they do not possess every additional skill listed.

Selection Process

Applications will be assessed based on the stated qualifications and merits. Interviews may also be conducted. The final appointment will be based on an overall assessment of the applicant’s potential for development and competencies and their suitability for successfully carrying out the responsibilities of the position.

Employment Conditions

The doctoral researcher will primarily work on the PhD thesis and contribute to the research project. Teaching and supervision may account for a maximum of 5% of working time. The primary workplace is Åbo Akademi University’s campus in Turku, where regular campus presence is expected. The university applies a total working-time principle of 1,612 hours per year to research staff, including employed doctoral researchers. The doctoral researcher’s supervision and study plan will be evaluated annually.

Salary and Financial Benefits

The salary is determined according to requirement levels 2–4 for teaching and research staff at Åbo Akademi University. The current starting salary for a new doctoral researcher is approximately: €2,700 per month As the dissertation progresses, the salary increases, reaching approximately: €3,500 per month near completion of the doctoral degree. This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to international Master’s graduates seeking a salaried doctoral research position in Finland rather than an unpaid or tuition-based PhD opportunity.

Contract Duration and Start Date

The selected candidate will begin employment as soon as possible and no later than 1 January 2027. The position is fixed-term and runs until 31 August 2030, corresponding to the end of the funded research project. A six-month trial period applies to new employees.

Important PhD Admission Requirement

Candidates should note that being selected for the position is not the only administrative step. Upon acceptance of the position, the successful candidate must complete a separate application process for admission to a doctoral programme at Åbo Akademi University. Applicants should therefore consider both the employment requirements and the university’s doctoral admission requirements when preparing for the opportunity.

Required Application Documents

Applications must be submitted in English and include the following documents:

1. Diplomas and Transcripts

Applicants must provide copies of their Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas, together with transcripts of records.

2. Motivation Letter / Research Statement

A motivation letter or research statement of maximum two A4 pages is required.

It should explain:

• The applicant’s research interests, academic background, and previous experience.
• How previous education and experience have contributed to academic and professional development.
• How the applicant’s interests and experience relate to the project.
• How the proposed doctoral research could contribute to the project.
• How the doctoral position would complement and further develop the applicant’s knowledge, skills, and previous experience.

The statement should be clearly connected to the advertised research project because it will be evaluated in relation to the position.

3. Referees

Applicants must provide the contact details of two referees.

4. CV and Publications

A CV must be submitted using the template recommended by the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK). The CV should include a list of publications.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the electronic application form Submit an application. The application period: until: 30 September 2026 at 15:00 Finnish time.

Applicants should prepare all attachments in English and ensure that the required diplomas, transcripts, research statement, referee information, and CV are included before submitting the application. For further information on the position and the project, please contact Giannina Hattich, Principal Investigator, e-mail giannina.hattich[a]abo.fi, or about the recruitment process HR Specialist Sabina Ringvall, sabina.ringvall[a]abo.fi.