Two Doctoral Researcher Positions (Geography Research Unit) on Geographies of the Anthropocene (# of pos: 2)

The University of Oulu is an international science university creating new knowledge, well-being and innovation for the future through multidisciplinary research and education. Close cooperation with research institutes, companies and the public sector has created an internationally significant research and innovation hub that has changed the world. Every day 2.6 billion people use technology developed in Oulu. The University of Oulu is an international scientific community, with 15 000 students and approximately 3 000 employees. The strengths of the University are wide multidisciplinary study/research interests and modern research and study environment. More information http://www.oulu.fi/english/

We are now looking for two highly motivated

Doctoral Researchers

to join the Geography Research Unit, Faculty of Science.

The doctoral researcher positions  are based on the Geographies of the Anthropocene Research Programme in the area of Biodiverse Anthropocenes (https://www.oulu.fi/en/research/arctic-interactions-resilience-and-global-change/biodiverse-anthropocenes ). The Geography Research Unit offers a progressive, stimulating, and international working environment. The Unit has five key focus areas in education: Regional Development and Regional Policy, Geoinformatics, Physical Geography, Regional and Political Geography, and Tourism Geographies (https://www.oulu.fi/geography/ ).

Biodiverse Anthropocenes is a Research Programme of the University of Oulu supported by the Academy of Finland PROFI6 funding (2021-2026). This innovative and transdisciplinary research initiative brings together scholars from across the social and natural sciences to collaboratively investigate the biodiversity loss currently threatening multi-species well-being and planetary sustainability, and to generate future-oriented solutions both in the Arctic and around the planet. The Biodiverse Anthropocenes Research Programme is framed around four core themes, which are also the focus of our Research Hubs:

• Transformations and adaptations (ANT 1)
• Multispecies worlds (ANT 2)
• Innovating approaches and methodologies (ANT 3)
• and Envisioning sustainability (ANT 4).

Together, these themes address the critical topics of: multiple pressures creating biodiversity loss; the responses of species, communities and ecosystems to ecological challenges; creative development and use of research methods for examining human-environmental systems; and, speaking with and listening to the public to use scientific knowledge to enhance sustainable and ethical practices.

The doctoral researcher positions are opened to strengthen the cluster with specific focus on human geography, resilience, sustainability, governance, rewilding, biodiversity, climate change and the Anthropocene and links with the Geography Research Unit’s existing strong research profile in tourism geographies.

Job description and requirements

We are looking for talented and highly motivated research-oriented persons who are interested in sustainability, biodiversity, resilience, climate change and tourism and their connections with adaptation and mitigation in the Anthropocene.

More specifically, we welcome research ambitions that relate tourism mobilities to wider societal developments and current discussions on sustainability, planning and governance, resilience, and/or digitalization. Focus could be on regenerative and responsible tourism, urban and/or rural developments, tourism employment and service work, tourism entrepreneurship, tourism policy and planning, tourist experiences, or hospitality. It is also possible to propose other research themes of relevance to service studies in tourism, place, and mobility. A demonstrable knowledge of qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed research methods is an advantage.  

The research profile of the successful candidate should complement the focus of the Tourism Geographies Research Group (TGs) at the Unit and the Biodiverse Anthropocenes Programme’s areas. Research in the Tourism Geographies group focuses on the sustainable development and tourism, regional and local development issues in tourism, politics and political ecologies of tourism, community-based natural resource management, nature-based tourism, tourism and climate change adaptation and resilience.

The Doctoral Researchers will carry out research work within a research team, disseminate research results in the esteemed peer-reviewed international journals from the field as well as at international conferences, attend doctoral courses and complete doctoral thesis within 4 years. Other duties may include teaching on undergraduate courses (approximately 5% of the total 1612 working hours per year) and supervising theses. In addition, he/she may be obligated to participate in administrative task of the university and/or the unit. Please also read the detailed requirements of the University of Oulu Graduate School: http://www.oulu.fi/uniogs/requirements_for_admission

A successful candidate must possess an applicable Master of Science degree (or other applicable Master's degree) completed with very good/excellent grades in geography or related field in human sciences. In addition, we appreciate

i. strong knowledge in human/economic geography methodologies,
ii. capability to write scientific publications,
iii. high motivation and efficiency,
iv. good communication skills and ability to work independently and in a group, and
v. readiness to travel (seminars, field work).

Position and salary

The positions are fixed-term for four years during which we expect the candidates to complete their doctoral degrees. A trial period of 6 months is applied to the positions.

Depending on personal achievement and performance, the first-year salary of the Doctoral Student will be set at level 2 of the national salary scale for the teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a personal salary component based on work performance will be paid (maximum of 50% of the job-specific component). In practice, this means the starting gross salary is likely to be between EUR 2400-2500 per month (before taxes).

Application

Applications, together with all relevant appendices should be submitted using the electronic application form by September 25th 2022 (23.59 Finnish local time). The application should be written in English and include the following documents:

1. Curriculum vitae

-          including publications
-          please follow the template for researcher's curriculum vitae (https://www.tenk.fi/en/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae )

 2. A research plan (max 4 pages), please provide clearly the following information

-          Research interests and expertise areas
-          Motivation for doctoral studies
-          Your availability (time frame)
-          Contact details of two (2) referees 

3. Certificates/Diplomas: Scanned copy of the original master’s degree certificate and transcript of records and, when necessary, official translations to Finnish or English.

Potential candidates may be interviewed for the position.
The starting time for the work is based on agreement but by January 2023 at the latest. The applications will not be returned.

Additional information

Professor Jarkko Saarinen, Geography Research Unit,

Tel. +358 (0)40 4840 777 (office hours);

e-mail. [email protected] ;

Assistant Professor Alberto Amore, Geography Research Unit,

Tel. +358 (0) 50 5633 363 (office hours);

e-mail. [email protected]