Postdoctoral Researcher, Social Scientific Biodiversity Research

We are looking for highly motivated and skilled researcher with a PhD degree (or a final stage PhD researcher). An ideal candidate has experience in biodiversity, qualitative research methods, and EU’s policies (CAP, Green Deal/Farm to Fork, EU biodiversity strategy). Other combinations of social science expertise are also considered. The postdoctoral researcher will be appointed for a fixed-term 4-year contract to work in a Horizon Europe funded project entitled Advanced biodiversity monitoring for results-based and effective agricultural policy and transformation (BioMonitor4CAP) starting from the 1st of December 2022. The project aims to develop, test, and support implementation of effective, affordable, and reliable methods, tools, and technologies to monitor biodiversity of agricultural areas or farmland.

We seek to advance the field social scientific biodiversity research by assessing various biodiversity data, studying stakeholders’ perceptions of biodiversity, co-creating a framework for agrobiodiversity-enhancing measures with the rural stakeholders and providing policy implications. The appointed researcher will work in collaboration with the other members of the multidisciplinary research team.

A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

• Identify, design, conduct, and report qualitative social scientific research on biodiversity from the stakeholders’ perspective.
• Take responsibility in organising and delivering a social scientific research task in the consortium.
• Contribute to proposal writing to apply for further research funding.
• Engage with the scientific community, research partners and the wider public, internationally, and domestically (scientific publications, conference presentations, press releases, and blogs).

The candidate is expected to have:

Education and experience

• A relevant social sciences or humanities doctoral degree including experience in biodiversity, sustainability, EU policy frameworks or other related fields.
• Experience in working with qualitative social science research methods.
• Fluency in English and excellent writing skills.
• Fluency in Finnish is considered as an advantage.

Personal attributes and competencies

• Interest in qualitative social sciences and enthusiasm to understand better the stakeholders’ biodiversity perceptions.
• Excellent analytical and innovative research planning skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experienced in working within multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
• High motivation for academic research career, having initiative and capable of working independently as well as in team environments.
• Flexible mindset and ability to work together and communicate with people from different disciplines.

The salary of the postdoctoral researcher will be based on level 5 of the demands level chart for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The starting salary of the postdoctoral researcher will be ca. 3200–3700 euros/month, depending on the appointee's qualifications and experience. A six-month trial period will be applied.

The workplace is primarily at the Ruralia Institute at the City of Mikkeli (a possibility for hybrid or remote work in Finland). The appointee is expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki.

The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development. The university (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/university/working-at-the-university ) assists employees from abroad with their transition to work and life in Finland.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are requested to enclose with their application the following documents in English. Please compile all documents as a single PDF file.

External applicants, please submit your application using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the Apply Now (Hae nyt) button.

Applicants who have a helsinki.fi username and a valid employment contract, a grant researcher's contract, a visiting researcher's or visiting professor's contract at the University of Helsinki are requested to leave their application by using the Employee login (Työntekijän kirjautuminen).

The closing date for applications is 26.10.2022 at 23:59 EEST.

The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of gender identities, and linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the positions may be obtained from Senior Researcher Toni Ryynänen ([email protected] ).

 If you need support with the recruitment portal, please contact HR Coordinator ([email protected] ) or HR Specialist Mirkka Juntunen ([email protected] )

WHAT WE OFFER

The Ruralia Institute of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry offers high-quality research and innovation partnerships for rural development. The focus areas of the Institute are local development, sustainable food chains and new bioeconomy. The Institute performs extensive international, national, and regional cooperation with about 50 experts in the University Consortiums of Mikkeli and Seinäjoki (www.helsinki.fi/ruralia ).

The Human in Digital and Sustainable Economies research group, led by Senior Researcher Toni Ryynänen, is in the Ruralia Institute, one of the six units of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry.