Doctoral student in Theology

Åbo Akademi University is an internationally acknowledged research university with an extensive responsibility for providing education in Swedish in Finland. With its international research community and its strong Nordic ties, Åbo Akademi University has an acclaimed and recognized position within research and education both nationally and internationally. 

The Faculty of Arts, Psychology and Theology, located in Åbo/Turku, constitutes a dynamic and cross-border research environment. The faculty staff comprises about 130 persons with tasks in teaching and research. The number of degree students amounts to 1150, of which over 200 are doctoral students. The Inez and Julius Polin Institute for Theological Research is part of the faculty.

The Polin Institute at Åbo Akademi University invites applications for a fixed-term salaried position as Doctoral Student. The position is placed in any of the theological disciplines at the Faculty of Arts, Psychology and Theology (FHPT) in Turku, Finland. This position is full time for a period of maximum four years, starting from 1st September 2023 or as agreed. The length of the employment is based on the candidate’s ongoing and/or possible completed research studies.

The theological disciplines at the Åbo Akademi University are the following: Exegetics and Judaic Studies, Church History, Practical Theology, Study of Religions, and Systematic Theology.

ABOUT THE RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT
The Inez and Julius Polin Institute for Theological Research was founded by the Board of Åbo Akademi University in 2018 with the aim of supporting theological research and education: www.polininstitutet.fi .  The institute promotes and finances research projects, arranges seminars, symposia, and conferences and brings together researchers from various theological fields and specializations that have developed in close collaboration with each other. The institute conducts internationally high-quality research. Researchers affiliated with the Polin Institute participate in the theological undergraduate and postgraduate education within the Study Programme for Theology at the faculty. The Polin Institute has currently three research projects with 15 researchers in theology, four postdoctoral researchers and seven doctoral students in various theological disciplines. The institute is led by a head of research and a coordinator also works at the institute.

QUALIFICATIONS AND MERITS
We are looking for a motivated doctoral student with a master’s degree in theology, the study of religions, divinity or in a related field. The required qualifications and merits for the position are outlined below, and will be evaluated together with the application. 

Basic eligibility criteria:

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in theology, divinity, the study of religions or in a related field.

Meriting qualifications 

• Strong collaborative and organizational skills
• Strong communication skills, including strong written and spoken communication skills in English.

Desirable qualifications

• Research experience
• Other academic achievements in addition to the master’s degree

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
The doctoral student’s primary task is to work on his/her own thesis. Doctoral students are expected to contribute to the activities of the institute and subject in accordance with the limits specified in the General collective agreement for universities. Teaching tasks and supervision of undergraduate and graduate students can comprise a maximum of 5% of the work time. 

The principle of total working time (1612 hours per year) is applied to employed doctoral students. The supervision and study plan for doctoral students will be evaluated annually. 

The salary for a doctoral position will be based on levels 2-4 of the job demand level for teaching and researching personnel in the salary system. In addition, there is a salary component based on personal work performance, according to the general collective agreement for universities. 

A trial period applies to new employees. 

The employed doctoral student is expected to spend at least half of the monthly working time (or by agreement) at the workplace at Åbo Akademi University in Turku, Finland, and participate in the activities of the institute and the research community.

Please note, that there is a separate application process for the admission to a doctoral programme at ÅAU. An applicant, who is not yet accepted as a doctoral student at the Faculty, needs to apply and fulfil the requirements for applicants to doctoral studies according to the principles for admission to the doctoral programmes at the Faculty.

APPLICATION
The application is submitted through the electronic application form below no later than 3.1.2023, at 3 p.m. (Finnish time). See Instructions on electronic applications and their appendices .

The following appendices are attached to the application in Swedish or English:

A concise research statement (max. 10,000 characters incl. spaces + references) is to be written in English or Swedish, and is part of the evaluation of the applicants. It should include the following elements: research question(s)/problem(s) and research gap, data/sources, method(s) as well as   possible theory. The statement should account for how a doctoral student position would complement your knowledge and previous experience, and how you would build on these.

FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information, contact Professor Mika Vähäkangas, [email protected] or regarding the recruitment process HR specialist Jenni Kronqvist, [email protected] . 

Åbo Akademi University works actively for an even gender distribution and increased diversity in all staff groups.

At Åbo Akademi University, we offer research and education in humanities, pedagogics and theology to social sciences, business, natural sciences and technology including systematic, high-level and supervised doctoral training. Our special research profile areas are Minority Studies, Solutions for Health, Technologies for a Sustainable Future and The Sea.   

Our activities are steered by the values of academic tradition in terms of freedom of research and education as well as ethical responsibility.  We are a workplace that recognises and utilises the knowledge and competences of the staff and students. We value and endevour diversity, inclusion, equality, health and sustainability in all our activities as well as continuous wellbeing and career possibilities for staff.  

Established over 100 years ago, ÅAU operates at the historical campus in Turku and Vaasa. With our 5,500 graduate and postgraduate students and 1,100 employees, we are an international and unique university.  Join us and work for a better world!  

Come work with us: https://www.abo.fi/about-abo-akademi-university/come-work-with-us/ 
Do research with us: https://www.abo.fi/research-at-aau/

Application period starts: 2022-10-24 08:30

Application period ends: 2023-01-03 15:00