Doctoral researcher / Väitöskirjatutkija

Three-year funded position as a doctoral researcher in the 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 a socio-ecological systems’ (SES) study of deer species in Finland. For this project, we are now recruiting a doctoral researcher for 36 months. The project focuses on the human dimensions of managing the two most common large game animals: white-tailed deer and moose. Co-existence of humans and large game animals, representing a sizeable natural resource, generates many opportunities but also challenges and conflicts within society. A proper understanding of this natural resource system requires integrating both social and ecological perspectives; the focus of this position is on the human dimensions. The work is conducted in a workgroup consisting of personnel at the University of Turku, the University of Jyväskylä, and the Finnish Wildlife Agency. The position is based at the University of Turku in the Department of Biology.

The main task of the doctoral researcher is the analysis of the social dimensions of the SES using survey data, which has partly been collected, as well as planning and analysis of an additional survey. Part of the surveys is to be integrated with the ecological analyses carried out by another doctoral researcher in the project. By combining ecological data and analyses with social data and analyses, we aim to create a holistic understanding of the system and provide applicable solutions for more sustainable human-wildlife co-existence in the future. Reports and scientific articles are to be produced as well as communicated in various ways. The design and analysis of surveys conducted follow Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) logic, where we are especially interested in the relationships between a priori hypothesized aspects (cf T