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  • Mari Pihlatie 9.09 on 24.5.2021 Permalink | Reply  

    New papers online! 

    Measuring the trace gas (methane, nitrous oxide, VOC) exchange of plant shoots is difficult. Our group spent multiple years to develop ShoTGa-FluMS, a system to quantify these fluxes.

    Kohl et al., 2021. An automated system for trace gas flux measurements from plantfoliage and other plant compartments. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, preprint: https://amt.copernicus.org/preprints/amt-2021-82/ 

    ShoTGa-FluMS can control temperature, CO2, and humidity in shoot enclosures while keeping the system air-tight and measuring trace gas concentrations. We built two implementations in in a climate controlled cabinet and a greenhouse compartment.

    While measuring the trace gas exchange of plant shoots is difficult, quantifying the role of CH4 cycling microbes is that too. Here, we use the most up-to-date molecular biology methods to see whether CH4 cycling microbes, and which of them contribute to the gas exchange of tree foliage. Our work highlights the importance of integrating microbial analyses in the studies aiming to reveal the processes and drivers behind plant CH4 exchange. 

    Putkinen et al., 2021. New insight to the role of microbes in the methane exchange in trees: evidence from metagenomic sequencing. New Phytologist, https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17365

     

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  • Mari Pihlatie 16.58 on 23.1.2019 Permalink | Reply  

    WANTED Summer workers / MSc thesis workers 

    yes, we also want summer workers / MSc students. At least these topics

    1. Participation in field campaigns; measuring CH4, CO2 and N2O fluxes from trees in Pallas, Kenttärova
    2. Participating in lab experiments using Viikki Growth Chamber facility; focus on CH4 emission processes of tree seedlings
    3. Participation in molecular biology measurements of plant and soil samples; focus on CH4 cycling microbes and fungi and their role in tree CH4 dynamics (DNA extractions, sequencing, metabolomics)

    Expertize required:

    1. Ability and willingness to work in the field. Background studies in forest ecology, environmental sciences, plant and soil sciences, microbiology, experience in research work is an asset; big plusses are previous work in the field, knowledge of greenhouse gas instruments, data analysis and programming skills, and no fear of heights (some of us get to do measurements in tree canopy)!
    2. Interest and understanding of plant biology, plant physiology, forest ecology; and/or isotopic tracer studies, isotopic labelling, C and N processes; big plusses in working with instruments, data analysis and programming skills
    3. Background studies on microbiology, plant biology, molecular biology or other laboratory skills/experience with soil / plant systems with a strong will to learn molecular biology methods; we also need long-term research assistants so if you don’t yet have the skills but would like to learn, we are ready to invest to teach you.

    In all topics, we can offer MSc thesis topics (and BSc thesis topics), supervision and salary for 1-3 months + more if you fit well to the group 🙂

    Contact: Mari Pihlatie (mari.pihlatie(at)helsinki.fi)

     

  • Mari Pihlatie 16.01 on 17.12.2018 Permalink | Reply  

    Wish you all Merry Christmas and Success for the New Year 2019! 

     

  • Mari Pihlatie 13.50 on 10.9.2018 Permalink | Reply  

    PhD position open in the group 

    We are looking for a student with background in plant physiology, plant biology, molecular biology or other relevant fields to bring light to our questions “why our trees emit or consume methane?” Please, apply and distribute the announcement to potential candidates. If you have any questions, please ask from us: mari.pihlatie(at)helsinki.fi or any group member 🙂

    https://www.helsinki.fi/en/open-positions/doctoral-student-memetre-project-faculty-of-agriculture-and-forestry

     

  • Mari Pihlatie 16.22 on 16.1.2018 Permalink | Reply  

    Get inspired and join my team! 

    We are in front of an exciting new phenomena, methane and nitrous oxide emissions from trees, and we will conduct state-of-the-art measurements in different forest of the world, we will reveal the processes, and construct a process model to answer the big question: what is the role of trees in methane and nitrous oxide balance. Join us!

     

  • Mari Pihlatie 16.07 on 16.1.2018 Permalink | Reply  

    Open position 3: Doctoral student 

    University of Helsinki is recruiting a doctoral student to work in European Research Council (ERC) and Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) funded project MEMETRE (From processes to modelling of methane emissions from trees). The postdoctoral researcher will join a multidisciplinary group of 10 scientists studying the exchange of greenhouse gases methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in forest ecosystems, with the main aim at answering the question: what is the role of trees in the CH4 and N2O exchange of forests.

    The main aim of MEMETRE is to raise the process-based understanding of CH4 exchange in forests to the level where we can construct a process model for the soil-tree-atmosphere CH4 exchange. We will achieve this by novel laboratory and field experiment focusing on newly identified processes, quantifying CH4 fluxes, seasonal and daily variability and drivers of CH4 at leaf-level, tree and ecosystem level. The project will narrow down the high uncertainties in boreal and temperate forests for their contribution to the global CH4 budget.

    Do you want to be part of our dream team? Tasks for the PhD student will be 1) to conduct state-of-the-art laboratory and field experiments on CH4 exchange of trees, utilizing stable and radiocarbon isotopes and molecular biology techniques, 2) to analyze data, report and present scientific findings, and 3) to actively participate in interdisciplinary group work to guarantee direct interplay between the experimental work and modelling.

    We are seeking a highly motivated student with background in ecophysiology, plant biology, forest ecology, biogeochemistry, molecular biology, soil science, or other relevant fields. Interest towards a scientific career, work experience in research projects, basic programming skills and an interest towards learning new data analysis tools are assets.

    The doctoral student has the possibilities to conduct the Ph.D. studies at one of the University of Helsinki in the Doctoral Programmes: Atmospheric Sciences (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/doctoral-schools-and-programmes/doctoral-school-in-natural-sciences/doctoral-programme-in-atmospheric-sciences), Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-programme-in-interdisciplinary-environmental-sciences, or Sustainable Use of Renewable Natural Resources (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-programme-in-sustainable-use-of-renewable-natural-resources).

    This project is a collaborative project with the research groups of Prof. Jaana Bäck, https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/ecosystem-processes and is affiliated to the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR). We offer an internationally competitive package and access to state-of-the-art infrastructures (such as ICOS, Integrated Carbon Observation System, https://www.icos-ri.eu/).

    To apply: send your motivation letter, CV, publication list, and a minimum of two references (in one pdf-file) to Mari Pihlatie (mari.pihlatie@helsinki.fi) by 15 February 2018. The position can be filled in March 2018, or as soon as suitable for the candidates.

    For additional information, please contact Associate Professor Mari Pihlatie, mari.pihlatie@helsinki.fi

     

  • Mari Pihlatie 15.58 on 16.1.2018 Permalink | Reply  

    Open position 2: Postdoctoral researcher MEASUREMENTS 

    University of Helsinki is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to work in European Research Council (ERC) and Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) funded project MEMETRE (From processes to modelling of methane emissions from trees). The postdoctoral researcher will join a multidisciplinary group of 10 scientists studying the exchange of greenhouse gases methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in forest ecosystems, with the main aim at answering the question: what is the role of trees in the CH4 and N2O exchange of forests.

    The main aim of MEMETRE is to raise the process-based understanding of CH4 exchange in forests to the level where we can construct a process model for the soil-tree-atmosphere CH4 exchange. We will achieve this by novel laboratory and field experiment focusing on newly identified processes, quantifying CH4 fluxes, seasonal and daily variability and drivers of CH4 at leaf-level, tree and ecosystem level. The project will narrow down the high uncertainties in boreal and temperate forests for their contribution to the global CH4 budget.

    Do you want to be part of our dream team? Tasks of the postdoctoral researcher will be 1) to plan and participate state-of-the-art laboratory and field experiments on CH4 exchange of trees, utilizing stable and radiocarbon isotopes and molecular biology techniques, 2) to analyze data, report and present scientific findings, and 3) to take an active role in group work and supervision of students to guarantee direct interplay between the experimental work and modelling.

    We are seeking a highly motivated researcher with a recent Ph.D. in the subject area in ecophysiology, plant biology, forest ecology, biogeochemistry, soil science, or other relevant fields. Experience in supervising MSc and/or PhD students, an excellent publication record, ability to work independently as part of a multidisciplinary research group are essential. Programming skills and an interest towards learning new data analysis tools are assets.

    This project is a collaborative project with the research groups of Prof. Jaana Bäck, https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/ecosystem-processes and is affiliated to the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR). We offer an internationally competitive package and access to state-of-the-art infrastructures (such as ICOS, Integrated Carbon Observation System, https://www.icos-ri.eu/).

    To apply: send your motivation letter, CV, publication list, and a minimum of two references (in one pdf-file) to Mari Pihlatie (mari.pihlatie@helsinki.fi) by 15 February 2018. The position can be filled in March 2018, or as soon as suitable for the candidate.

    For additional information, please contact Associate Professor Mari Pihlatie, mari.pihlatie@helsinki.fi

     

  • Mari Pihlatie 11.37 on 22.12.2017 Permalink | Reply  

    Open position 1: Postdoctoral researcher MODELLING 

    Feel free to distribute to potential candidates 🙂

     

    University of Helsinki is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to work in European Research Council (ERC) and Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) funded project MEMETRE (From processes to modelling of methane emissions from trees). The postdoctoral researcher will join a multidisciplinary group of 10 scientists studying the exchange of greenhouse gases methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in forest ecosystems, with the main aim at answering the question: what is the role of trees in the CH4 and N2O exchange of forests.

     

    The main aim is to develop biogeochemical models so that the processes of CH4 exchange in the soil, and between the soil, trees and the atmosphere can be described. The main tasks of the postdoctoral researcher will be 1) to mathematically describe CH4 transport, production and consumption processes in trees, 2) to incorporate the developed tree-modules into process-based biogeochemical models for soil-tree-atmosphere gas exchange, 3) to participate in experimental work to guarantee direct interplay between the experimental and model development, and 4) to supervise PhD and MSc students working with process-based models. The modelling work will be conducted in close collaboration with research groups at the University of Helsinki, Department of Forest Sciences and at the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE).

     

    We are seeking a highly motivated researcher with background in physics, ecophysiology, biogeochemistry, ecohydrology as well as experience in supervising MSc and/or PhD students. Excellent publication record, ability to work independently as part of a multidisciplinary research group consisting of biogeochemists, physicists, meteorologists, forest ecologists and microbiologists are essential. Good programming skills, ability to rapidly understand and interest to develop process-model algorithms (e.g., Python, FORTRAN, C, Matlab) are required. Basic knowledge on energy, water and carbon cycles in terrestrial ecosystems are needed.

    The ideal candidate has a recent Ph.D. in the subject area. In a case of an exceptional candidate, the vacancy can also be filled as a post-graduate position and a possibility to conduct the Ph.D. studies at the University of Helsinki in the Doctoral Programme of Atmospheric Sciences (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/doctoral-schools-and-programmes/doctoral-school-in-natural-sciences/doctoral-programme-in-atmospheric-sciences )

     

    This project is a collaborative project with the research groups of Prof. Jaana Bäck, https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/ecosystem-processes and will be affiliated to the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), to be established in 1 January 2018. We offer an internationally competitive package and access to state-of-the-art infrastructures (such as ICOS, Integrated Carbon Observation System, https://www.icos-ri.eu/).

    To apply: send your motivation letter, CV, publication list, and a minimum of two references (in one pdf-file) to Mari Pihlatie (mari.pihlatie@helsinki.fi) by 31 January 2018. The position can be filled in March 2018, or as soon as suitable for the candidate, for 3-years (with possibility for extension).

    For additional information, please contact Associate Professor Mari Pihlatie, mari.pihlatie@helsinki.fi

     

  • Mari Pihlatie 14.10 on 21.12.2017 Permalink | Reply  

    INAR (Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research) 

    From 1.1.2018 onwards we are part of the INAR = Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research)

    So we will use this double affiliation:

    Environmental Soil Science, Department of Agricultural Sciences
    Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Finland

    Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research / Forest Sciences
    Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Finland

    short version of affiliations:
    Environmental Soil Science, Department of Agricultural Sciences
    University of Helsinki, Finland

    Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research / Forest Sciences
    University of Helsinki, Finland

    To not complicate but make it more flexible, we are also free to use the INAR affiliation with whatever suitable field of research. I would recommend using Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research / Forest Sciences when presenting work related to forests, and Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research / Agricultural Sciences when relevant 🙂

     

     

  • Mari Pihlatie 13.04 on 28.11.2017 Permalink | Reply  

    Join our group! 

    Within our new ERC starting grant project, we are searching for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers  focusing on 1) process-based modelling of methane exchange of forests, and 2) state-of-the art measurements of methane exchange of trees.

    Do you want to be part of our dream team and solve the mystery of what is the role of trees in methane exchange of forests?

    If you are interested, please contact Mari: mari.pihlatie@helsinki.fi

     

     

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