Doctoral Programme in Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Sustainability in Society

The Doctoral Programme in Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Sustainability in Society focuses on ecology, evolutionary biology, environmental sciences, sustainability sciences and social-ecological systems. It supports research from focused disciplinary studies in ecology and evolution to integrative work on socio-ecological systems and sustainability transitions. The programme also covers biodiversity, conservation biology, environmental policy, environmental governance, human-nature interactions and environmental change.

A doctoral degree consists of a doctoral dissertation and 30 credits of studies. The studies include discipline-specific studies and transferable skills studies. Compulsory studies for all doctoral researchers at the University of Helsinki include 1 credit of research ethics and 2 credits of internationalisation. Full-time students can complete the degree in about four years. Part-time study is also possible.

The programme trains doctoral researchers for work in ecology, evolutionary biology, environmental sciences, sustainability sciences and social-ecological systems. The University of Helsinki says the programme is built on interdisciplinary research groups and external partners such as Finnish Environment Institute, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Finnish Meteorological Institute and Metsähallitus.

Applicants must have completed an applicable second-cycle university degree, an applicable second-cycle degree from a university of applied sciences, or an applicable education at an institution abroad providing eligibility for equivalent higher education in the country in question. A previous degree is regarded as relevant if it includes sufficient studies in a discipline which, given the topic of the proposed doctoral dissertation, can be regarded as a suitable basis for doctoral studies. Students graduating from master’s programmes in ecology, evolutionary biology, plant biology, forest sciences, environmental sciences, biology or social sciences can enter the programme.

• Post-doctoral researcher
• Environmental consulting
• Leadership and expert positions related to sustainability
• Expert in governmental organisations
• Research and development
• Administration, professional roles and consultancy
• Business and management
• Teaching and education
• Scientific publishing and journalism
• Surveillance and monitoring in healthcare, food and environmental, agricultural and forestry arenas