Doctoral Researcher, Sustainability Transformations Doctoral Education Pilot

4 Apr 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI

Research Field

Sociology
Ethics in social sciences

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
Established Researcher (R3)

Country

Finland

Application Deadline

22 Apr 2024 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Doctoral Researchers for Sustainability Transformations Doctoral Education Pilot (SusTra)

The University of Helsinki is currently seeking to fill 236 three-year positions for doctoral researchers. These positions are part of a national initiative in doctoral education and are available within various doctoral education pilots. The appointments are set to commence on August 1, 2024, or on January 1, 2025.

As a doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki, you will conduct your doctoral research as part of an international scientific community under the guidance of top researchers in your field.

Sustainability Transformations Doctoral Education Pilot (SusTra) produces information about social, cultural, organizational and individual-level change processes when targeting a sustainable and just society without exceeding the planetary boundaries. Complex social-ecological challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and global social inequality require in-depth sustainability transformations, across all sectors, scales and actors.

This will include new approaches for i) rethinking the state, such as cross-sectoral governance approaches for advancing sustainability transformations; ii) rethinking the commons, such as changing the way which people understand, govern, and use physical, cultural, and intellectual commons; iii) rethinking justice including changing the relationships between people and place, and the range of knowledge and experiences of environmental change; iv) rethinking efficiency including finding ways to fair distribution of goods, and v) rethinking business and economy.

At the University of Helsinki we are looking for two doctoral researcher for a 3-year doctoral position in the field of Environmental Humanities. The selected persons will work on one of the following themes: Critical approaches to Global Sustainability Framework, Biocultural diversity in the Arctic, Equality and inclusion of Indigenous and minority perspectives to sustainability transition.

Suitable candidates have a background in cultural and areal studies, environmental humanities or sociolegal studies.

We are also looking for two doctoral researchers in the fields of participatory mapping and/or eco-acoustics, each to be employed for a 3-year doctoral position. The selected persons will work on one of the following themes: i) Geodesign – developing and scaling participatory methods for delivering multi-species transitions and ii) Listening in - creating representations of non-human perceptions of landscapes to support sustainability transformations. Suitable candidates will have a background in spatial sciences, human geography, soundscape ecology and/or environmental social sciences.

• More information about the Doctoral Education Pilot in Sustainability Transformations

Qualifications and Responsibilities

We are looking for motivated candidates who have demonstrated their capabilities in previous studies and are committed to completing their doctoral degree within the targeted three-year timeframe. Your responsibilities will include conducting research for your dissertation and completing the doctoral degree according to the curriculum of the doctoral program. Additionally, you may be involved in teaching and other duties, accounting for up to 5% of your annual working time.

We Offer:

• Opportunity to work in an international, multidisciplinary research community
• High-quality research infrastructure and support services
• Comprehensive support for initiating and advancing your research
• Competitive salary (starting salary typically 2,400–2,800 €/month, depending on the appointees’ qualifications and experience), along with benefits such as healthcare and other employee benefits
• Assistance with integration into Finland and the University of Helsinki community

Application Process and Selection Criteria

You may apply through two pathways:

Applicants applying through the first pathway are required to have:

• A research plan drawn up in collaboration with the supervisor 
• Supervision plan drawn up in collaboration with the supervisor 
• A study right for a doctoral degree awarded no earlier than 1.11.2023 OR a stage of studies that allows the candidate to be awarded a right to study for a doctoral degree  during the probationary period, i.e. within six months of the start of employment 

Applicants applying through the second pathway are required to have:

• An example of a research idea and a related concept paper. Candidates who progress to the next stage of the call will have the opportunity to apply for a supervisor and complete their application with an actual research and supervision plan at a later stage. 
• A stage of studies that allows the candidate to be awarded a right to study for a doctoral degree  during the probationary period, i.e. within six months from the start of employment 

The selection process will consider:

• Suitability of the research plan to the chosen pilot project
• Quality and feasibility of the research plan within the three-year timeframe
• Planned connections to the professional world and the significance of the position for the applicant's career after completing the doctoral degree
• Feasibility of completing the dissertation within three years, as demonstrated in the supervision plan

Additionally, we expect from all applicants:

• Commitment to three years of intensive and full-time work
• Strong motivation and previous evidence of the ability to achieve results and complete the project on schedule
• Creativity along with the ability for analytical and conceptual thinking, a determined and independent work approach, collegiality, the ability to engage in constructive collaboration with others, and inspire others
• Fluent oral proficiency in English and the ability to write scientific texts in English
• The appointed doctoral researchers are expected to reside in Finland, though temporary research visits abroad are possible. If relocating, employment can only begin after arriving in Finland.

In addition, there may be consortium-specific requirements or specifications, which are listed in the application instructions online.

Application Instructions and Deadline

Please review the application instructions  carefully and submit your application no later than April 22.

Please note that as part of the selection process, we utilize an online competency assessment for all eligible applicants. Please ensure that you allocate approximately one hour between April 27 and April 29 (EEST) to complete the test.

The University of Helsinki is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our operations. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including different genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and minority groups.

Requirements
Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI

Country

Finland

City

Helsinki, Finland

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/unijobs/listing/368646/doctoral-researcher…

Contact

City

Helsinki, Finland

STATUS: EXPIRED