Postdoctoral Researcher

The Finnish Institute for Educational Research  (FIER) is currently seeking to recruit a candidate for a fixed-term position of

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER for the period 1.11.2021 (or as soon as possible thereafter) - 30.9.2025

The researcher will work in the ECF4CLIM project, which is funded by the European Green Deal Programme of the EU. The project aims to determine what kind of sustainability competences education should produce in order to make the continent carbon-neutral by 2050.

Tasks and qualifications

You will work together with a distinguished research team of the FIER and its European partners. The project also collaborates with schools and educational institutions that are excited to develop education towards the visions of sustainability. The European Competence Framework for Climate Change and Sustainable Development will be achieved through a participatory and collaborative process together with students, teachers and other education experts, using online crowdsourcing methodologies and various interventions in participating educational institutions. The work is also reported in the form of peer-reviewed publications, so the task offers promising opportunities for advancement in an academic career.

The duties, qualification requirements and language skills of a postdoctoral researcher are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines . A doctoral degree suitable for the research area is required. The doctoral degree required for the position must have been completed before starting at the position. A person admitted to a teaching or research position at the university is required to be proficient in the Finnish language. If necessary, the university may grant an exemption from the language proficiency requirements.

Success in this position requires:

- knowledge of research related to sustainability in education or civic engagement 

- experience in international scientific publication

- excellent language skills in English

More information: https://ktl.jyu.fi/en/research/esse/esse  

What do we offer?

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities on campus and several restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts. Finland provides one of the most advanced and comprehensive social security in the world. It includes for example sickness benefits, various family benefits and a comprehensive healthcare system. Please read more about working at the University of Jyväskylä, the City of Jyväskylä and living in Finland .

Salaries are based on job demands and employees’ performance following the Finnish University Salary System (approximately 3100 – 3800  euros per month), depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. A holiday bonus is paid to all employees.

There is a trial period of six months at the start of the period of employment.

How to apply

The application should include:

1)  Application letter

2)  Curriculum vitae (CV), including ORCID iD, composed according to good scientific practice and considering the template for researcher´s curriculum vitae of The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity .

3)  A brief (2–3 pages) written account of the applicant’s academic research, scientific merits and research leadership merits, including a clarification on received external funding and responsibilities in externally funded research projects.

4)  A brief (1–2 pages) written account of pedagogical training and teaching merits i.e. teaching portfolio

5)  A numbered list of all academic and other publications the applicant wants to use to demonstrate his/her eligibility and merits for the position. The list of publications should comply with the guidelines of the Academy of Finland

6)  A maximum of five (5) main publications, numbered in accordance with the list of publications.

For further information, please contact:

Director of Institute, Professor Jussi Välimaa, [email protected] , +358 400 248 112.

Professor Hannu Heikkinen, [email protected] , +358 50 342 1346.

Please submit your application at the latest on 26th September 2021 using the online application form.

The University of Jyväskylä is a human-centered environment of 2,600 experts and 14,700 students. Our goal is to create wisdom and wellbeing for all. We cultivate the skills, knowledge and passion needed to live wisely for the benefit of humanity. An open dialogue between research, education and society is our driving force. We cherish this balance and believe it is essential that each member of the community thrives and has opportunities to develop and grow. Our naturally beautiful campus is located in the heart of the city of Jyväskylä. The University of Jyväskylä is the third largest employer in Central Finland.

The Finnish Institute for Educational Research (FIER) was established in 1968. FIER operates as an independent institute of the University of Jyväskylä and carries out significant, multidisciplinary educational research in Finland and internationally. FIER has a holistic focus on Finland’s education system and also learning outside the formal education system. FIER cooperates with educational institutions, representatives of educational administration and working life, decision-makers and the media to develop education and enhance the societal impact of research. FIER facilitates advanced researcher training in cooperation with the University faculties. The number of personnel is around eighty.