Doctoral Researcher, plant-microbial interactions shape species diversity

Organisation/Company University of Jyväskylä Research Field Biological sciences » Botany Biological sciences » Other Environmental science » Ecology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Final date to receive applications 28 Feb 2026 - 21:59 (UTC) Country Finland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

A Doctoral Researcher position is available at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Jyväsk, Finland, in the group of Associate Professor Nerea Abrego as part of the Predictive Community Ecology Group . The Doctoral Researcher will work in a Research Council of Finland-funded project where the overarching aim is to understand how microbial-driven functions change and shape plant phenotypes and diversity along abiotic environmental gradients.

Starting date is May 2026 or as mutually agreed for a fixed-term of three years.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The architectures and dynamics of ecological interaction networks are crucial determinants of the assembly of ecological communities. The environmental context can reshape ecological communities by modifying the presence and outcomes of biotic interactions, ultimately influencing species traits, abundance and distributions. This PhD project will use the highly diverse and dynamic plant-microbial networks in the arctic environment as study system to investigate why and how complex plant-microbial biotic interaction networks change along abiotic gradients, and what the ultimate consequences of such changes are on microbial and plant community assembly.

For reaching the objectives, the PhD will combine field and greenhouse experiments, perform DNA and RNA molecular analyses, and apply joint species distribution models to analyze the data. By providing a mechanistic understanding of species interactions in plant-microbial networks, this project will enable improved predictions on how biodiversity will respond to the ongoing global change.

DUTIES

The doctoral researcher position will involve conducting fieldwork in Finnish Lapland, conducting greenhouse experiments, contributing to laboratory sample preparation, and contributing to bioinformatic and statistical analyses.

• We are seeking a highly motivated, innovative, and productive individual who is willing to gain hands‑on experience in both field and greenhouse experiments, is highly motivated to develop data analysis skills, and is willing to contribute intellectually to the project’s development.
• Suitable candidates should hold a Master’s degree by the start of the position in ecology and evolution, microbial ecology, plant ecology, or a closely related field within the broader umbrella of community ecology, and demonstrate an interest in plant–microbial research and data analysis.
• Experience in fieldwork and plant or microbial systems will be considered beneficial.

The tasks of a Doctoral Researcher focus on research aiming at the completion of a doctoral thesis, doctoral studies, assisting teaching tasks, and other related tasks to these. The duties, qualification requirements, and the language skills of Doctoral Researchers are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines (Doctoral Students). A good command of English is required.

Doctoral Researcher needs to be also enrolled in the doctoral programme which can be applied from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science through a separate application procedure after selection for the position.

• Supervision in all aspects of the work (from field to data analysis skills), possibility to join workshops to improve specific skills in e.g., bioinformatics, data analysis.
• International, enthusiastic working environment (working language is English) in a friendly research group with a large collaborator network.
• Resources for travel to conferences or workshops abroad.

The Doctoral Researcher will be supervised by Dr. Nerea Abrego, together with a group of co‑supervisors whose expertise will…