University Researcher Core Research Area on Citizen Science / Co-Research

24 May 2023
Job Information

Organisation/Company

UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI

Research Field

Educational sciences
Sociology
Ethics in social sciences
Geography

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Finland

Application Deadline

9 Jun 2023 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

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 Faculty of Social Sciences and new inter- and transdisciplinary research environment ‘Resilient and Just Systems (RESET)’ of the University of Helsinki invite applications for the position of UNIVERSITY RESEARCHER for a fixed 5-year term starting on 1 September 2023 (or as agreed). Successful candidates are expected to work full time.

The university researcher position is part of the Academy of Finland funded RESET research profiling action, which aims to build an inter- and transdisciplinary research environment that bridges life and social sciences, offering sustainable and just solutions and increasing system resilience. One of the aims of RESET is to enhance collaborative ways of knowing (bridging between scientific, professional, experience-based knowledge; disrupting the subject/object divides in research settings) and implement the principles of democratization of knowledge production through systematic development of co-research and citizen science methodologies to expand opportunities for people outside the academia to participate in scientific research and contribute to research-based solutions, and thus to increase the social impact of science and research.

The responsibility of the appointee constitutes 1) epistemological and methodological development of above-mentioned research approaches, 2) conducting research through the relevant methodologies or on the relevant methodologies in the context of questions sustainability and/or social justice, 3) strengthening inter- and transdisciplinary networks in the field (inside/outside the academia), and 4) participating in development projects that enhance the methodological development and societal impact of the scientific research. The duties also include teaching and other tasks. Teaching tasks can account for up to 5 % of the annual working time.

The position is linked to the RESET research theme “New research paradigms for just socio-ecological change” which is managed and coordinated by the Helsinki Inequality Initiative  (INEQ). The university researcher will work closely together with the methodological unit of the Helsinki Institute for Social Sciences and Humanities (HSSH) and collaborates with Helsinki Sustainability Institute (HELSUS) and Helsinki One Health (HOH).   

Resilient and Just Systems (RESET) is an inter- and transdisciplinary research environment that brings together the life sciences and social sciences to offer just and sustainable solutions that reinforce systemic resilience. It seeks solutions to complex and complicated global sustainability challenges and crises requiring new kinds of transdisciplinary cooperation. RESET encourages collaboration between the life and social sciences to develop new transdisciplinary research paradigms, thereby enhancing human, animal and environmental welfare and increasing equality and justice. Through novel inter- and transdisciplinary research across life and social sciences, collaboration between science-authority-business-civil society, and development of citizen science and co-research methodologies, RESET also responds to the University’s crosscutting priorities of interdisciplinarity and openness.

QUALIFICATIONS

An appointee:

• must hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field or multidisciplinary fields (such fields particularly include but are not limited to: sociology, social and/or cultural anthropology, philosophy, education, human geography, gender studies, disability studies, youth studies, global development studies); and the ability to obtain financing and to conduct independent scientific research in a highly multidisciplinary environment and possess the teaching skills required for the position.
• will have strong theoretical understanding on the epistemological premises of the above-mentioned research approaches and relevant experience on applying such approaches in their research demonstrated by high-quality publications in the core research area and research funding; and concrete ideas about how the candidate’s work will contribute to research in the field.
• have excellent communication skills in English and good working skills in either of the two official languages in Finland (Finnish and Swedish) are required to achieve.

Successful performance of the work requires the ability to lead research projects, attract younger scholars to the field and communicate research results to various audiences, both academic and professional. The appointee is expected maintain long-term research activities in the field and obtain research funding for it. To fulfil the research requirements of the position, the applicant chosen is expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki, and actively to contribute to the development of the RESET research environment and participate in its research and teaching activities. The Faculty of Social Sciences provides assistance in relocation.

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 monthly gross salary will range from approximately from €4,200 to € 5,300 depending on their 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.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System by clicking on the link below. Current employees of the University of Helsinki must submit their applications through the SAP HR portal (https://msap.sap.helsinki.fi ). The application deadline is 9 June, 2023.

Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications the following documents as a single pdf file:

Curriculum vitae

A numbered list of publications

A report (max. 3 pages) on the applicant’s research activities (including activities in scientific communities, the acquisition of research funding and international scholarly work)

A vision (max. 2 pages) how the applicant intends to develop his or her research and focus his or her activities, if appointed.

Detailed information on the CV and list of publications can be obtained online .

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the positions may be obtained from University Researcher Meri Kulmala (Director of INEQ) meri.kulmala(at)helsinki.fi , tel. +358504484057 and Vice Dean Timo Kaartinen, [email protected] , tel. +358504484238.

ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI

The University of Helsinki  is the oldest and largest institution of academic education in Finland, an international scientific community of 40,000 students and researchers. In international university rankings, the University of Helsinki typically ranks among the top 100. The University of Helsinki seeks solutions for global challenges and creates new ways of thinking for the best of humanity. Through the power of science, the University has contributed to society, education and welfare since 1640.

The Faculty of Social Sciences  is Finland’s leading research and education institution in the social sciences and also the most diverse in terms of its disciplines. In several research fields the Faculty belongs to the top 50 in the international rankings. The Faculty has a strong international profile both in research and teaching programmes. The number of academic staff stands at 500. Each year the faculty awards some 350 Bachelor’s degrees, 400 Master’s degrees, and more than 40 doctoral degrees.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine  manages RESET, which involves the faculties of biological and environmental sciences, agriculture and forestry, pharmacy, medicine, educational sciences, theology and social sciences, as well as Helsinki Institute of Life Science HiLIFE. The RESET activities are coordinated at the City Centre Campus by the Helsinki Inequality Initiative (INEQ), a multidisciplinary network in inequality research.

Requirements
Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI

Country

Finland

City

Helsinki, Finland

Where to apply

Website

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/unijobs/listing/340760/university-research…

Contact

City

Helsinki, Finland

STATUS: EXPIRED