Postdoctoral researcher in the Study of Religions

5 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Åbo Akademi University

Research Field

Religious sciences » Comparative religion
Religious sciences » Other

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Finland

Application Deadline

19 Feb 2024 - 13:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38

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

The Polin Institute at Åbo Akademi University invites applications for a fixed-term position as Postdoctoral Researcher in the Study of Religions. The position is placed in the discipline Study of Religions at the Faculty of Art, Psychology and Theology (FHPT) in Turku, Finland. 

This position is full time for a period of three years, starting from 1st September 2024 or as agreed.
 
The Study of Religions at Åbo Akademi University constitutes a dynamic and internationally recognized research environment with a particular focus on contemporary religious change and pioneering mixed-methods research. Strong areas of research include the sociology of religion; the psychology of religion; the discursive study of religion; religion, gender, and sexual minorities; religion and media; Indian and South-Eastern Asian religions; and religion and social exclusion. Beside the research activities of individual researchers, the Study of Religions has established a strong tradition of working in larger research teams around a shared research agenda. 

Since 2010, three internal Åbo Akademi University Centres of Excellence in Research have been located at the Study of Religions. The latest of these – Religion and Social Exclusion: A Cross-Cultural Approach and New Methodology (RELEX, 2024–28) – is currently in its initial phase. The RELEX CoE aims to investigate the religious and/or non-religious outlooks and values of people who are subjected to different forms of social exclusion on a cross-cultural and cross-national scale and to develop and operationalize a new mixed-methods framework specifically designed for the purpose. See the project plan for RELEX CoE in detail . The RELEX CoE draws together the large majority of all researchers in the Study of Religions at ÅAU, along with an extensive network of international collaborators. 

 
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 four research projects with 15 researchers in theology, four postdoctoral researchers and seven doctoral researchers in various theological disciplines. In addition, the institute hosts guest researchers. The institute is led by a head of research, a coordinator also work at the institute. The Polin Institute promotes freedom, peaceful coexistence and sustainability as a leading academic European center for theological research through its activities and openness in theological research that is socially relevant.
 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The primary tasks of the postdoctoral researcher are

• Carry out research of high international standard in direct alignment with the RELEX CoE, as outlined in the project plan attached
• Actively participate in all activities related to the RELEX CoE
• Actively pursue publications of research findings
• Seeking external research funding as well as participating in other researchers’ project proposals
• Actively participate in the research community of the Polin Institute and the faculty including teaching and administrational duties up to a maximum of 30% of the working time

QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATION

Basic eligibility criteria

• Doctoral degree in the Study of Religions or related discipline, with a doctoral thesis preparing the applicant for the planned research and for active participation in the research community in the Study of Religions at Åbo Akademi University.  As a rule, the time elapsed since completing the doctoral degree should not exceed four years in accordance with the Regulations for Personnel of the university (a copy of the diploma of a doctoral degree should be submitted in the application).
• Strong English skill is required. Additionally, as Swedish is the language of teaching and administration at Åbo Akademi University, knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language is regarded as an asset for foreign applicants. For Finnish citizens, section 78 in the Universities Act (558/2009) and 1–2 § in Instruktion om de kunskaper i svenska och finska som krävs av lärare vid Åbo Akademi (25.2.2010) (In Swedish only) apply.

Meriting qualifications 

• Outstanding potential and established excellence in research in relation to current career stage
• Ability to combine theories and empirical methods in the Study of Religions in innovative ways
• Strong collaborative and organizational skills
• Strong communication skills, including strong written and spoken communication skills in English
• Previous experience of mixed-methods research, including the combination of quantitative and qualitative methods
• Previous experience in one or several of the following areas: conducting research among vulnerable populations; religion and indigenous peoples and/or ethnic communities; religion in prison; religion and/in LGBTQI+ communities.

Desirable qualifications

• International research experience
• Other academic achievements in addition to the doctoral degree

The applications will be assessed as follows:

• Research competence (60%) measured through research plan, relevant academic publications, participation in research- and other academic projects and other research related experience. The research plan must be relevant for the Study of Religions and the RELEX CoE.
• Pedagogical competence (20%) including experience in teaching and supervision as well as planning and development of teaching and studies in university pedagogics or equivalent.
• Interactive competence (20%) that covers ability to cooperate in collegial manner and administrative ability and experience which may have been acquired also in activities outside the academia.

The appointment will be based on an overall assessment of the applicant’s potential for development and competences and in relation to the necessary qualities to successfully carry out the tasks for the position. The applicants may be invited to an interview.

SALARY AND CONDITIONS
The salary for a postdoctoral researcher follows the requirement level 5-6 for teaching and research staff in accordance with the general collective agreement for the universities. In addition, an individual salary based on work performance is added to the salary. 

The postdoctoral researcher position belongs to the system of total working hours of 1,612 hours per year. The work tasks will be defined in detail in an annual work plan.

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

In the case of new employment, a trial period of 6 months is applied.

APPLICATION

The application is submitted through the electronic application form below no later than 19.2.2024, at 3 p.m. (Finnish time). See Instructions on electronic applications and their appendices for technical assistance. 

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

• Application letter with a description of your scientific background, your research interests, and your motivation for the assignment (max 2 pages)
• Research plan (max 1500 words)
• CV (according to the recommendations of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity, TENK: https://tenk.fi/en/advice-and-materials/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae ) including a full list of publications
• Copy of the doctoral dissertation and a maximum of five publications relevant to the application. The publications must be provided electronically, either attached to the application or with a link to an online version or file sharing system transfer where the publications can be downloaded.
• Teaching portfolio: https://web.abo.fi/befattningar/Pedagogical_portfolio2021.pdf
• Degree certificate(s), possible language competence and pedagogical studies certificates
• Names and contact details of at least two reference persons

FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information, contact Professor Marcus Moberg, [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.

 

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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 1,200 employees, we are an international and unique university. 

 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: 2024-01-03 16:30 Application period ends: 2024-02-19 15:00

Requirements

Research Field

Religious sciences

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Research Field

Religious sciences

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://academicpositions.com

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Åbo Akademi University

Country

Finland

City

Turku

Postal Code

20500

Street

Tuokiokirkontori 3

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://academicpositions.com/ad/abo-akademi-university/2024/postdoctoral-resea…

Contact

City

Turku

Website

http://www.abo.fi/public/en/

Postal Code

20500

STATUS: EXPIRED