Postdoctoral Researcher in Social Policy

The Faculty of Social Sciences invites applications for the position of
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER
for a fixed term period starting as agreed for the duration of 2 years.

The postdoc will work with the newly appointed Professor of Health and Social Services Research and Leadership, Virpi Timonen, affiliated with the Discipline of Social Policy (Yhteiskuntapolitiikka) and the cross-disciplinary UHealth initiative . The post holder will be involved in a number of existing and planned projects, and will have capacity and keen interest to contribute to new project ideas and applications.
The research themes include (but are not limited to) ageing, care, social services, intergenerational relationships and family relations. While most of the projects will have a major international dimension, a degree of familiarity, or capability to become familiar with, the landscape of social services provision in Finland (especially as it is unfolding after major reforms) will be considered an advantage. While applicants who have strong qualitative or quantitative methods skills will be considered, a preference will be given to those who can demonstrate a high degree of competence and ability to develop both sets of skills (mixed methods). As several projects will involve scoping of extensive, complex literatures, applicants are expected to demonstrate experience of conducting literature reviews.

In addition, the researcher is expected to actively contribute to teaching in the master’s programme in health and social services and leadership and in the discipline of Social Politics (up to 5% of their working time annually), as well as prepare new research proposals.

QUALIFICATIONS
An appointee to the position must hold a doctoral degree in Sociology, Social Policy, or other relevant field. The default assumption is that the degree requirement must be met by the beginning of the employment. The successful applicant will have strong methods skills, with a preference for those who can demonstrate a command of both qualitative and quantitative methods, and an excellent command of written English and Finnish. The applicant’s research interests should be broadly aligned with the research areas of the Principal Investigator (Prof Timonen).

WHAT WE OFFER
We are an equal opportunity employer and offer an attractive and diverse workplace in an inspiring environment with a variety of development opportunities and benefits. The annual gross salary range will be approx. €42,000 – €47,000, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. In addition, University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and opportunities for professional development. The employment contract will include a probationary period of six months.

The chosen applicant is expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki. The Faculty of Social Sciences provides assistance in relocation.

HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your application, together with the required attachments, through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the link "Apply now" below. Applicants who are currently employed by the University of Helsinki are requested to submit their application via the SAP Fiori portal at https://msap.sap.helsinki.fi. The closing date for applications is 12 December, 2022.
Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications the following documents in English:
1) A curriculum vitae, 2) A statement (max 2 pages) outlining the following skills and competences: qualitative research methods; quantitative research methods; literature reviews, 3) A numbered list of publications on which the applicant has marked in bold their two key publications to be considered during the review.
Detailed information on the CV and list of publications can be obtained online .

Applicants of any gender, linguistic and cultural background or from members of minority groups are welcomed.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Further information about the position and the research project may be obtained from Prof Virpi Timonen, [email protected].
The Faculty of Social Sciences is Finland’s leading research and education institute in the social  sciences, and the country’s most diverse social sciences faculty in terms of the range of its disciplines  and fields of research. The Faculty has a strong international research profile and an international  master’s programme, and several of its disciplinary units have been rated among the top 50 in the world.  The Faculty has approximately 500 research and teaching staff, and each year it awards some 350 bachelor’s degrees, 400 master’s degrees and more than 40 doctoral degrees.