Doctoral Researcher, Interdependence Between Climate Change, Biodiversity, And Respiratory Health From Pregnancy To Adulthood

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 4000 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based education to build a more sustainable, smarter, and more humane world. The University of Oulu community has about 17,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations.

We are looking for a motivated

Doctoral Researcher

to join us at the Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research (CERH), Research Unit of Population Health (PopH), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu. The research activities will be carried out under the “Interdependence between climate change, biodiversity and respiratory health from pregnancy to adulthood” project, headed by Academy Researcher Inês Paciência and funded by the Research Council of Finland’s Scientific Council for Biosciences, Health and the Environment.

Brief description of the research group and the unit

The main goal of CERH is to assess the health impact and burden of disease from exposures to global environmental change. CERH comprises a multidisciplinary group of researchers with expertise in epidemiology and biostatistics, clinical medicine, biology, genetics, environmental sciences, ecology, geography, and anthropology. CERH applies complementary research methodologies to empirically evaluate the impact of the most relevant environmental factors, such as extreme temperatures, air pollution, and housing factors, on public health. The research provides insight into mechanisms, clinical significance, susceptibility-related factors and long-term influence of global environmental change on human health. Research Unit of Population Health (PopH) is a research and teaching unit that approaches questions related to human health through different disciplines.

About the job

The project “Interdependence between climate change, biodiversity and respiratory health from pregnancy to adulthood” includes one position for a doctoral researcher with a master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, medicine, health and environment, global health, epidemiology and biomedical data science, science (e.g., environmental health and technology, environmental health) or in a relevant field.

Your role will involve (1) characterizing the outdoor environment, namely contributing to developing a biodiversity index, (2) conducting multidisciplinary research employing machine learning modelling, and (3) assessing the effects of short- and long-term exposure to climate change-related exposures and loss of biodiversity on respiratory health. You will conduct research within a team, manage project-related tasks, and write scientific manuscripts resulting from the project, leading towards a doctoral degree.

The workplace is located at the Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research (CERH), Research Unit of Population Health (PopH) at the Faculty of Medicine, and carried out under the supervision of the project’s principal investigator, Academy Researcher Inês Paciência.

What we offer?

• The support of an experienced and enthusiastic team where you can share your expertise and grow as a researcher.
• International work environment, work language being mostly English.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits.
• Development and career options of a big organization.
• University of Oulu has an HR Excellence in Research -quality label which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.

Who are you?

We are looking for a motivated doctoral researcher interested in environmental health. You are expected to have the ability to work productively in a team of various backgrounds and participate in different research activities.

Requirements

• Master's degree in public health, epidemiology, medicine, health and environment, global health, epidemiology and biomedical data science, science (e.g., environmental health and technology, environmental health), or in a relevant field
• Master’s degree must have been completed with good grades (3/5, or at least 60% of the maximum grade, in both coursework and master's thesis)
• Earlier experience in scientific publishing process or structured literature reviews
• Experience in statistical analysis (e.g., in R software)
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Ability to pursue independent research is expected
• See also the requirements of the University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS).

We also appreciate

• Experience on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools
• Good teamwork skills
• Good communication skills
• A multidisciplinary research orientation with demonstrated research experience or interest.

The chosen doctoral researcher will be expected to apply for doctoral study rights at the University of Oulu Graduate School Health and Biosciences doctoral program.

Salary

The successful candidate will be employed at the University of Oulu. The position is a fixed-term for 4 years, starting as soon as possible and ending at the latest on 31.8.2029. The doctoral researcher salary will be based on the levels 2-4 of the requirement level chart for Finnish universities' teaching and research staff. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (a maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). The starting gross salary will be approximately 2600-2800 € per month (before taxes). A trial period of 6 months is applied in the position.

The doctoral researcher employment contracts are based on a total working time of 1612 hours per year, which gives the doctoral researchers freedom to plan their working hours.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 14.09.2025 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system. The application must be written in English and include the following attachments:

• Motivation/cover letter (max. 2 pages), which should include an introduction of yourself and your academic background, and a description of your research interests and motivation towards doctoral studies
• CV following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (max. 2 pages)
• List of publications, following the guidelines of the Academy of Finland
• Certificates/Diplomas: Scanned electronic copies of all pages of your master's degree certificate and/or certificates of relevant courses. If the original documents are not in Finnish, Swedish, or English, each document must be accompanied by an official certified translation into Finnish or English
• Names and contact information of two persons available for recommendation

The eligible applicants fitting best in the profile expected for the position will be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact PI, Academy Researcher Inês Paciência, Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research (CERH), Research Unit of Population Health (PopH), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, ines.paciencia@oulu.fi

Työsopimuksen voimassaolo: määräaikainen yli 6 kuukautta | Työsuhteen luonne: kokoaikainen | Paikkojen lukumäärä: 1 | Työllisyysaste: 100 % | Paikkakunta: Oulu | Maakunta: Pohjois-Pohjanmaa | Maa: Finland | Ilmoitusnumero: 2025/469 | Julkaistu: 2025-08-19 | Haku päättyy: 2025-09-14