Two positions as doctoral researchers in socio – ecological systems’ study of deer species at the Department of Biology, University of Turku, Finland

In the project “social and ecological perspectives on the hunting of moose and white-tailed deer” funded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation, we conduct socio – ecological systems’ study of deer species in Finland. For this project, we now recruit two doctoral researchers for 36 months. The project focuses on the two most common large game animals, white-tailed deer and moose, and their management. These species represent a sizeable natural resource but are also generating conflict with society. A proper understanding of this natural resource system therefore requires integrating both social and ecological perspectives. The work is conducted in a workgroup consisting of personnel at University of Turku, University of Jyväskylä and Finnish Wildlife Agency. Both positions are based at the University of Turku in the Department of Biology.

The two positions are defined as follows:

Doctoral researcher position 1 (emphasis on social aspect) – Main task is the analysis of survey data, which has partly been collected, as well as planning and analysis of an additional survey. Part of the surveys are to be integrated with the ecological analyses carried out by the second doctoral researcher in the project (see below), requiring collaborative skills and efforts and systemic understanding. Reports and scientific articles are to be produced as well as communicated in various ways. The design and analyses of surveys conducted follow Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) logic. Requirements for the position are (1) MSc degree in social or biological sciences with relevance to the research topic; (2) capacity to conduct statistical analyses as evidenced either by training and/or documented experience; (3) comfortable in working as a member in an interdisciplinary team with members in various sites, and (4) strong in English, both written and spoken.  Advantages are (1) training/experience in using SEM and software for SEM analysis; (2) training/experience in analysis of survey data; (3) experience in working in R; (4) understanding or experience with management of cervids in Finland (5) capacity to produce reports and (6) disseminate results in various platforms including oral presentations and social media. Lastly, although knowledge of the Finnish language in not a requirement, capacity to write reports in Finnish is considered an advantage.

Doctoral researcher position 2 (emphasis on ecological aspect) – Main task is the analysis of moose and white-tailed deer harvest and comparable data to produce models of distribution and indices of density and harvest rates and use these in further downstream analyses. Outcomes of the statistical models are to be integrated with findings made in the project by doctoral researcher 1, requiring good collaborative skills. Requirements for the position are (1) MSc degree in a biological science or related field with relevance to the research field; (2) capacity to conduct statistical analyses as evidenced either by training and/or documented experience; (3) comfortable in working as a member in an interdisciplinary team with members in various sites, and (4) strong in English, both written and spoken.  Advantages are (1) experience in working in R; (2) training/experience in Bayesian models, in particular Bayesian population analyses in purpose-coded Bayesian models such as e.g. JAGS; (3) understanding of main concepts in cervid ecology and management; (4) capacity to produce reports and (5) disseminate results in various platforms including oral presentations and social media. Although knowledge of the Finnish language in not a requirement, capacity to write reports in Finnish is considered an advantage.

To apply, please send the following to verguofturku@gmail.com no later than Friday August 7.

  1. Letter of motivation for the position, clearly stating which doctoral position you apply for (position 1 or position 2) and the names of two persons who can provide a reference
  2. Curriculum Vitae following the TENK model https://tenk.fi/en/advice-and-materials/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae

The position is planned to start 1 September 2026 or at a date to be agreed. The working site for these positions is the Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. There is a possibility for remote work (2 days/week). The position includes personal funding consisting of a grant of 2667€/month for 36 months, but note that from this amount the recipient is responsible to pay the compulsory social security charges to MELA https://www.mela.fi/en/grant-and-scholarship-recipients/premiums/ and part of the amount paid may be considered taxable income.

Questions regarding the position can be addressed to jon.brommer@utu.fi