Open Positions in Scandinavia
Training Opportunities in Finland Offered by METLA
1. Site: Finnish Forest Research Institute, Punkaharju Research Unit
Contact Information: Tuija Aronen, Doc., Dr, Project leader
Tel: +358 10 211 4233
Fax +358 10 211 4201
Duration: 3-6 months
Main tasks and responsibilities: Trainee's tasks would include mostly tissue culture and cryopreservation tasks, potentially combined with some molecular laboratory work
and/or greenhouse or nursery experiments in species, such as spruce, pine, and some
broadleaves (birch, ash, elm).
Requirements: Studies or experience needed: Courses in plant biology, genetics, biotechnology, plant/tree breeding, horticulture, plant physiology would be advantageous, some lab work experience or courses required. Basic IT-skills required.
Language skills: fluent/good spoken and written English required.
Additional Information: Unit located in the middle of the lake district, provides beautiful landscape and good possibilities i.e. for hiking, skiing, canoeing ect. A bicycle for your use included. Free accommodation cannot be guaranteed.
2. Site: Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa Research Unit
Contact Information: Dr. Taina Pennanen
tel +358 10211 5469
fax +358 10211 2103
Duration: 3-6 months
Main tasks and responsibilities: Research on ectomycorrhizal fungi: to identify fungi in root tips and/or molecular identification
Requirements: Basic knowledge on molecular techniques such as DNA- extraction, PCR Experience in microscoping is an advantage
Additional Information: Capital area, good connections by local trains to downtown Free accommodation cannot be guaranteed.
3. Site: Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa Research Unit
Contact Information: D.Sci. Raisa Mäkipää
tel +358 10 211 2197
fax +358 10 211 2202
Duration: 6 months
Main tasks and responsibilities: Research on wood-decaying fungi: works in DNA laboratory, sample preparation
Requirements: Knowledge and some experience on basic molecular techniques, such as
DNA-extraction, PCR-reaction, electrophoresis
Additional Information: Capital area- University 10 km away. Free accommodation
cannot be guaranteed.
4. Site: Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa Research Unit
Contact Information: Hannu Fritze, Doc., Dr, Project leader
Tel: +358 408015416
Duration: 6 months starting 9/1/2012
Main tasks and responsibilities: Studies or experience needed: Courses in microbiology, biotechnology or molecular biology are required. Good loboratory knowledge is of advantage Basic IT-skills required.
Language skills: fluent/good spoken and written English required.
Requirements: Trainee helps in DNA extraction, qPCR and establishing community analyses of sulphate reducing bacteria in peat
Additional Information: Free accommodation possible on a first come-first-serve basis
5. Site: Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa Research Unit
Contact Information: Eero Mikkola, GFIS Coordinator
tel +358 10211 2140
Duration: 3-6 months, timing can be agreed with trainee
Main tasks and responsibilities: Promotion of the Global Forest Information Service (GFIS) gateway www.gfis.net, seeking new information partners, guiding new partners to create RSS feeds and using social media for information promotion
Requirements: Basic knowledge on information technology, web services and social media
Additional Information: Capital area, good connections by local trains to Helsinki
Free accommodation cannot be guaranteed.
6. Site: Finnish Forest Research Institute, Muhos Research Unit
Contact Information: Juha Kaitera, Dr., Docent
Tel.: +358 40 801 5553
Duration: 3-6 months
Main tasks and responsibilities: Trainee's tasks would include mainly checking of wood logs for Heterobasidion root rot, combined with some isolation, cultivation and sporulation of fungi in the greenhouse and/or in the laboratory with pine stem rusts and alternate hosts (plants).
Requirements: Studies or experience needed: Courses in plant biology and/or plant/tree pathology (preferrable), some lab work experience and/or microscopy cources required. Basic IT-skills.
Language skills: fluent/good spoken English.
Additional Information: Unit locates in the campus of the the University of Oulu close to town centre. Next to Baltic sea, lakes and rivers, short distance to Lapland. Accommodation e.g. in the campus area, but it is not arranged by Metla.
7. Site: Finnish Forest Research Institute, Suonenjoki Unit
www.metla.fi/su/index-en.htm
Contact Information: Dr. Otso Huitu
tel. +358 50 391 4917
otso.huitu@metla.fi
http://www.metla.fi/pp/7309/index-en.htm
Duration: 4-6 months from beginning of May or June 2012.
Main tasks and responsibilities: The traineeship is part of a research project to investigate factors influencing population ecology of small rodents. The trainee will assist in carrying out field experiments, involving trapping, field sampling of vegetation, animal dissections and laboratory diagnostic tests. Tasks also include assisting in maintenance of experimental rodent populations in the laboratory.
Requirements: Basic knowledge in ecology and ecological research and good laboratory practice. Previous experience in working with animals is beneficial but not necessary. Be willing to work flexible hours and travel. Must be capable of working in field conditions. Good English skills required.
Additional Information: The research station is close to nature and provide an enjoyable working environment. Free accommodation cannot be guaranteed. Personal work station with computer.
8. Site: Finnish Forest Research Vantaa Research Unit
Contact Information: Dr Risto Sievänen, project leader
Tel: +358 10 211 5487
Duration: 3-6 months
Main tasks and responsibilities: The trainee will work with software of LIGNUM model www.metla.fi/projects/lignum). The tasks include - depending on skills: 1) Programming components of LIGNUM spruce model (radiation submodel, morphological development), 2) Improving visualization modules, 3) Translating presentation of tree structure between LIGNUM and formalisms based on multiscale tree graphs.
Requirements: The trainee should possess basic computer programming skills and be able to program with C++. Interest in and basic level education of biology is a benefit.
Language skills: working knowledge of English required.
Additional Information: Vantaa Research Unit is in the Helsinki metropolitan area, all activities of a large urban area are within reach. Only 15 min by train to the Center of Helsinki. Free accommodation cannot be guaranteed.