[Opt-Net] PhD and Postdoc Positions in AI-Powered Decision Support for Forest Management

[Afsar, Bekir]

Dear colleagues,

This is a kind reminder that the application deadline is approaching for the open PhD and postdoctoral positions at the Multiobjective Optimization Group, University of Jyväskylä, Finland.

This week will be the final opportunity to apply (deadline: 15 March 2026)

If you know suitable candidates who might be interested, I would be grateful if you could share this opportunity within your networks.

Please find the details here: https://nextcloud.jyu.fi/index.php/s/9KriYMmGgzaf9K8.

Best regards,
Bekir.

________________________________
From: Opt-Net <opt-net-bounces at zib.de> on behalf of Afsar, Bekir <bekir.b.afsar at jyu.fi>
Sent: Monday, February 2, 2026 12:40 PM
To: opt-net at zib.de <opt-net at zib.de>
Subject: [Opt-Net] PhD and Postdoc Positions in AI-Powered Decision Support for Forest Management

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to share an open call for one fully funded four-year PhD position and one fully funded four-year postdoctoral position in a research project carried out within the Multiobjective Optimization Group (https://optgroup.it.jyu.fi/) at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, with an expected start date of 1 August 2026, or as mutually agreed.
The project is funded by the KONE Foundation and brings together expertise in decision analytics, human-centered artificial intelligence, and environmental modeling, with a strong emphasis on societal relevance, openness, and real-world impact.

Project Title: MetsäGPT: AI-Powered Decision Support for Finnish Forests
Project Summary: MetsäGPT is an interdisciplinary research project that develops AI-powered decision support tools for participatory and sustainable forest management in Finland. The project combines large language models with interactive multiobjective optimization to enable inclusive decision making that reflects ecological, economic, social, and cultural perspectives.
The research aims to lower the barrier for non-expert stakeholders, including citizens, indigenous communities, forest owners, and policymakers, to engage meaningfully in complex forest management decisions. Natural language interaction is used to elicit objectives, decision options, and constraints, which are formalized into multiobjective optimization models. In addition, decision makers can express their preferences in natural language, which are converted into structured preference information guiding interactive multiobjective optimization and decision making.
More information about the project is available at: https://koneensaatio.fi/en/grants-and-residencies/metsagpt-ai-powered-decision-support-for-finnish-forests-2/

Candidate profile for PhD student: We are seeking a motivated doctoral student with a background in quantitative or computational disciplines such as applied mathematics, computer science, data science, or environmental sciences. The candidate should have an interest in multiobjective optimization, ecological or biodiversity modeling, and data-driven decision support. Experience with Python is expected.

Candidate profile for postdoctoral researcher: We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher with experience in artificial intelligence, natural language processing, or decision support systems. Prior knowledge of (interactive) multiobjective optimization is required. The candidate will work on LLM-enhanced problem and preference agents and natural language interfaces for interactive multiobjective optimization. Strong Python skills are required. Experience with large language models or human-centered AI is an advantage.

How to apply: Please send your application by email to bekir.b.afsar at jyu.fi<mailto:bekir.b.afsar at jyu.fi>
The application should include:

  *
A motivation letter (maximum two pages, including research interests and reasons for applying),
  *
A curriculum vitae (maximum three pages),
  *   Relevant certificates or diplomas, or expected date of completion of the MSc or PhD,
  *
A numbered list of publications, if any.

Please attach all application documents as a single PDF file to your email.
Please name the file as: Firstname_Lastname_PhD.pdf or Firstname_Lastname_Postdoc.pdf.
Please use the subject line: “MetsäGPT PhD Application” or “MetsäGPT Postdoc Application”

Application deadline: 15 March 2026
Project start date: 1 August 2026 (or as mutually agreed)
Funding and employment: Both positions are funded for four years through a research grant provided by the KONE Foundation. The funding will be paid directly to the recruited PhD student and postdoctoral researcher. Grant holders are responsible for arranging their own insurance, pension, and related social security matters.
Additional note for PhD applicants: The applicant selected for the PhD position must apply separately for the permission to conduct doctoral studies at the University of Jyväskylä. The requirements and qualification criteria are available at: https://www.jyu.fi/en/doctoral-education/apply-to-doctoral-studies
I would be grateful if you could circulate this opportunity to suitable candidates or share it within relevant networks.

Best regards,
Bekir.

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Bekir Afsar, Ph.D.
bekir.b.afsar at jyu.fi<mailto:bekir.b.afsar at jyu.fi>

+358 40 4809214

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LinkedIn<http://linkedin.com/in/bekirafsar> | ORCID<https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3643-2342>
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Multiobjective Optimization Group
Faculty of Information Technology

P.O. Box 35 (Agora)

FI-40014 University of Jyvaskyla, Finland.
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