Research Assistant (3 positions)

The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for three Research Assistant positions in the School of Forest Sciences. The positions will be filled from 1 June 2026 (or as agreed) to 31 August 2026.

Please find more information below and submit your application no later than 16 February 2026.

Role and salary

We are seeking three Research Assistants to work on research projects on peatland ecology in the School of Forest Sciences of the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology in summer 2026. Their work tasks will be related to several projects in the Peatland and Soil Ecology Research Group (Peat&Trees) (website), which is led by Professor Eeva-Stiina Tuittila and Assistant Professor Anna Laine-Petäjäkangas, and to the ICOS network (Integrated Carbon Observation System), including the activities of the Centre of Excellence in Peatlands, Climate Change and Ecological Restoration. Our main themes are peatland vegetation and greenhouse gas fluxes in the changing climate and the impacts of peatland restoration on vegetation and carbon gas fluxes.

As our new Research Assistant, your main responsibilities will include:

• vegetation inventories, leaf area measurements and measuring plant functional traits
• greenhouse gas measurement using the chamber technique and data processing
• additionally, work may include tasks related to an art installation in the peatland during the summer.

The research assistants will work on field tasks for one or more projects, as agreed. The positions are suitable for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students of forest sciences.

The work tasks will be carried out in the vicinity of Hyytiälä and in North Karelia. The tasks are primarily located at the Hyytiälä Forest Research Station in Juupajoki. Near the Hyytiälä Forest Research Station, there are the Siikaneva pristine peatland research site belonging to the ICOS network, a long-term climate change experiment at Lakkasuo, and a peatland restoration site at Viheriäisenneva.

We offer you an opportunity to work as part of an international research group and to become familiar with different research projects and methods. The research data collected can be used in a Master’s thesis at the University of Eastern Finland, in which case the job title and salary will be determined separately.

The positions will be filled for a fixed term of three months as from 1 June 2026 to 31 August 2026. The positions will be filled for a fixed term due to thesis work / specific tasks included in projects. A trial period is applied to all new members of the staff.

The salary of the positions is approximately EUR 2,325 /month.

Our requirements and expectations

Requirements

• higher education studies in a related field, such as forestry, biology, ecology, biogeochemistry, or physical geography
• good skills in the English language
• a valid driving license (Category B) and driving experience
• interest in peatland ecology
• ability to conduct independent field work.

The following will be considered an advantage:

• species identification skills of peatland plants and experience in GHG exchange measurements
• willingness to prepare a Master’s thesis based on the collected data.

Your benefits 

You will have access to the university’s staff benefits, including

• extensive occupational health care
• a broad selection of staff training
• staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants, as well as on a range of other services
• affordable sports services.

Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website. 

You will have an opportunity to work in an interesting, meaningful and diverse role as part of our international, creative, participatory and inclusive academic community.

How to apply?

Submit your application by using our electronic application form no later than 16 February 2026.

Please note that you must include the following appendices in your application:

• a CV
• a copy of your transcript of records
• a motivation letter (max. 1 page) in which you describe your background, your interest in peatland ecology and/or ecological restoration, and your ability to conduct independent field work
• other documents to demonstrate your merits for the position.

Questions?

For further information on the position, please contact Professor Eeva-Stiina Tuittila, phone. +358 29 4453535, e-mail eeva-stiina.tuittila@uef.fi, and Assistant Professor Anna Laine-Petäjäkangas, +358 29 4453477, e-mail: anna.laine-petajakangas@uef.fi.

For further information on the application procedure, please contact HR Specialist Iiris Korhonen, e-mail: iiris.korhonen@uef.fi, tel. +358 29 4458161.