Project Researcher

The University of Oulu is an international science university creating new knowledge, well-being and innovation for the future through multidisciplinary research and education. The University of Oulu contributes to solving global challenges by combining multidisciplinary approaches, high level research and fruitful collaborations in the five focus areas: 1. Creating sustainability through materials and systems, 2. Molecular and environmental basis for lifelong health, 3. Digital solutions in sensing and interactions, 4. Earth and near-space system and environmental change, 5. Understanding humans in change.

University of Oulu, Kerttu Saalasti Institute (UO KSI) is an international research institute focusing on Operational Excellence of Micro-Enterprises in three research groups:

• Microentrepreneurship MicroENTRE,
• Future Manufacturing Technologies (FMT) and
• Regional Excellence (REx)

UO KSI provides and mediates scientific knowledge, develops new technological innovations and acts as a reliable partner in international project collaborations. We work with the University of Oulu faculties as well as with national and international partner universities and research institutes. The impact of research on society and regional development is an important part of our mission.

Regional excellence (Rex) research team

In REx research team we create to evidence-based knowledge related to regional vitality, resilience and sustainability by interdisciplinary methodologies and with aim to societal impact. Complex patterns of global, regional and local factors matter for the growth and competitiveness, wellbeing and equality as well as to environmental and ecological efficiency. Our research contributes particularly to 1) regional resilience and sustainability, 2) regional science and geographic information science (GIS) and in this context to 3) analytical piloting, facilitation of tests and environmental experiments. More precisely, we contribute to regional development, resilience and smart specialization and to regional factors, mechanisms and processes that enable dynamic growth and vitality. We emphasize social, economic and environmental sustainability of regions and businesses. New insights may be gained by locational data and big data, consisting of social, economic and information related interactions and material flows.

Project researcher

The emphasis in the project researcher position is in micro-enterprise data analysis. Project researcher analyses and visualises development trends of enterprises. Aim is to find temporal and geographic trends and patterns. Emphasis is in micro, small and medium sized enterprises and also in their networks and clusters. Aim is to scrutinise also their growth factors and conditions of companies with statistical methodology. Several registers will be connected and analysed with big data perspective to create scientific knowledge and contributions. Aim is also to produce easily readable statistics and maps to enhance situation awareness and enable better knowledge management in municipalities, sub-regions and regions. In addition to analysing and producing information, also communicating with stakeholders and disseminating results publicly is in key role.

Requirements

The successful applicant must hold or be finalising a master’s degree (or equivalent degree). We are looking for a talented, highly motivated and both research and development-oriented person who is interested about (micro)enterprises, register data (and also big data), economy and regional development. Expertise in data analysis, statistical analysis, data interfaces and basic level scripting or automation of workflows (e.g. with R or Python) is essential to successful working. We also appreciate if you have good analytical and problem-solving skills, experience from project working and good communication skills in English. (Basic level Finnish skills support the task too.) Geographic information systems (GIS) skills and experience in working with register data support the task well as well as interests/experience in scientific working.

The position is a fixed-term position for 12 months. The position is filled as of 1.1.2021 or as soon as possible thereafter. A trial period of six (6) months is applied in the position.

The salary will be based on the levels 8 – 9 of the demand level chart for other staff of the salary system of Finnish Universities. In addition to the basic salary of the appropriate level, supplementary salary will be given for personal achievement and performance, the sum rising to a maximum of 50 % of the basic salary level for the position.

The position is placed at Linnanmaa Kampus or at the Kerttu Saalasti Institute Nivala. There is a possibility to conduct part of the work remotely.  

Applications

Applications, together with all relevant appendixes, should be submitted electronically by 22. Nov 2020.

The application should be written in English or in Finnish and the following information needs to be included:

1) an application/ motivation letter with contact information

2) a curriculum vitae

3) list of publications (if exist)

4) contact details of 1 - 2 persons available for recommendation.

For further information, please contact:

Research director, Ossi Kotavaara, ossi.kotavaara@oulu.fi , +358 50 573 9124