Geological Survey of Finland is looking for postdoctoral researchers as part of the postdoc programme of government research institutes

According to the entry in the Government Programme, Finland aims to raise central government R&D expenditure to four per cent of GDP by 2030. As part of achieving this goal, Tulanet, a consortium of government research institutes, will launch a postdoc programme aimed at strengthening research-based competence in fields important to society and business. The postdoc programme promotes the mobility of postdoctoral researchers and increases the transfer of researched knowledge, competence and experts to business life and the public sector. The long-term goal of the programme is to boost sustainable economic and productivity growth by strengthening RDI cooperation between different sectors.

GTK participates in the programme and conducts a total of four projects based on its strategy.

“The goal of Tulanet’s postdoc programme is to produce high-level scientific expertise with strong societal significance. For GTK, the programme is an excellent opportunity to develop key capabilities in terms of our strategy, business cooperation based on applied research in the field of geosciences, and new career path opportunities linked to our operations,” says Aku Heinonen, Director of Science and Innovations at GTK.

The broad societal relevance of geosciences is reflected in all the topics of GTK’s projects selected for the programme.

“Ore deposits and mineral systems that are central to the exploration of critical raw materials, seabed research supporting offshore wind power construction projects, and topics related to geoenergy production are all key focus areas of GTK’s strategy, and it is hoped that the programme will build new openings and, hopefully, partner-driven further research ideas,” Heinonen continues.

GTK recruits one postdoctoral researcher for each project. Three projects have been launched this autumn, each of which is currently looking for a postdoctoral researcher for three-year fixed-term positions.

• Novel geochronology as a tool for ore deposit research and development of mineral system models project is looking for a postdoctoral researcher who will use novel geochronological methods applied to mineral systems to constrain the temporal development of mineral systems. Read more about the position and apply by 27.11.2024 at 16.15 EET.
• Multichannel seismic sounding as a research method for scientific research of the seabed and geotechnical properties project is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to focus on multichannel seismic sounding tasks on the seabed. Read more about the position and apply by 27.11.2024 at 16.15 EET.
• In situ groundwater heat and solute transport parameters determination and mode-based interpretation of multi-source data in fault zones project is looking for a postdoctoral researcher who will study the transport of solute and heat in crystalline bedrock. Read more about the position and apply by 16.12.2024 at 16.15 EET.

All open positions are expected to have a recent doctoral degree in a field suitable for the position. The length of the postdoc period is 3 years. However, a postdoctoral researcher selected for the position can be changed to a permanent researcher position after a researcher evaluation carried out towards the end of the fixed-term period and GTK’s resource needs assessment.

The fourth postdoctoral researcher will start in 2026, which means that the position will be open for applications later.

In total, 85 postdoctoral researchers will be hired for government research institutes through the postdoc programme for 2025–2028. The total funding of the programme is approximately EUR 40 million. You can read more about the postdoc program on Tulanet’s website.