Project Researcher (PhD. Student), Sustainability-oriented innovation

At the University of Vaasa, we think out of the box in order to build a sustainable future. We are a university that invests in the quality of research and teaching in order to tackle the challenges of our time. We educate responsible and internationally-minded leaders and experts. We are well known for our high-quality education and inspirational teachers. Our expertise in the fields of business studies, technology, administrative sciences and communication forms the core of our university. Our discipline-based research is complemented by our phenomenon-driven research platforms. 

The School of Technology and Innovations is looking to hire a junior academic interested in research in the domain of sustainable business. The research profile of the task focuses on sustainability-oriented innovation and the research activities are connected to the university’s research platform InnoLab. The position is offered for a fixed-term of  2 years and the starting date is negotiable. The appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month trial period.

Your role

You will be part of an international team of innovation scholars. We are looking for a motivated person with a can-do attitude who is interested in systemic change and sustainability transitions to solve grand challenges. The position is linked to a research project in the field transition risks in shipping and aviation sectors. The research of the candidates is expected to be within the following topics:

• Sustainability transitions
• Organizational and institutional conditions for co-creating systemic change
• Sustainability innovation 
• Business models for sustainability 
• Open innovation and innovation ecosystems

All tasks are agreed in more detail in the Annual Work Plan. The annual working time for the Project Researcher (PhD Student) is 1612 hours. 

Requirements

• Master’s degree in relevant discipline. For example business administration or industrial management/engineering.
• Track record of conducting high quality master thesis
• Expertise in the shipping and/or aviation sector will be considered a plus
• Excellent English language skills (written and verbal)
• Good communication skills
• Ability to collaborate in research groups, ability to pursue research independently and good self-management skills
• High level of commitment and motivation

To be eligible for a full PhD student position, the candidate is required to participate in a separate application process which is arranged twice a year in order to be admitted and enrolled as a doctoral student at the University of Vaasa. For more information about eligibility and the application process, please visit the Graduate School's website: Doctoral education | University of Vaasa (uwasa.fi)  

Inspirational work environment

The position is situated in the School of Technology and Innovations and team of Production (Industrial Management).

Industrial Management aims to provide comprehensive teaching and research operations to cover entire production operations and service chains. The aim is to educate multidisciplinary professionals who have the ability to combine technological, commercial and management perspectives in their work. The main focuses of the research are strategic management, logistics systems, product and service development in Vaasa and service innovations in Lapua (SC-Research group).

We are strongly networked and responsible actors in research, education and public relations. As a work community, our team is diverse, international and encouraging. The cooperation and support of colleagues promotes well-being and inspires working.  

More about the School: School of Technology and Innovation | University of Vaasa (uwasa.fi)  

Our team works in close co-operation with Research Platforms. Innovation and Entrepreneurship InnoLab is a phenomenon-based, multidisciplinary open research platform with focus on open and user innovation, entrepreneurship, and public sector innovation and renewal.

More about Innolab: InnoLab | University of Vaasa (uwasa.fi)  

We offer

We have a great value to both your personal and your professional development. Many opportunities exist for you to develop: conferences, courses, workshops, coaching, mentoring and international internships. 

The salary will be based on both the job requirement and the employee’s personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. The monthly salary of a Project Researcher (PhD Student) is based on job demand levels 2-4 (€ 2,078-2,591). An additional personal salary component is paid based on work performance.

How to apply 

To apply for this position, please use our online application system (using the “Leave an application” button below). The application, including appendices, has to be submitted to our online application database no later than 19th September 2021. 

The application should include the following annexes: 

Further Information

Further information about the position:

• Associate Professor Jouni K Juntunen, phone +358 29 449 8619
• Dean Raine Hermans phone. +358 29 449 8622
• email: firstname.surname (at) univaasa.fi

Inquiries about the online application system: [email protected] .

The 5,000 students and 500 employees of the University of Vaasa thrive on the most beautiful campus in Finland, at the seaside. Our university community is international: we come from 80 countries. As an employer, we focus on employee well-being at work by providing extensive occupational health care, flexible working time arrangements and opportunities for competence development. We have been awarded the HR Excellence in Research recognition. Read more about us: Working at the University | University of Vaasa (uwasa.fi)  

The coastal city of Vaasa is a trendy and international centre of culture, education and tourism in Western Finland, with nearly 70,000 inhabitants. Vaasa is host to the Nordic countries' most significant centre of excellence in sustainable technology and energy solutions. Its leading exporters' and subcontractors' accumulated turnover of more than EUR 5 billion accounts for 30% of Finland's energy technology exports and employs 12,000 experts.

Application period starts: 2021-08-25 14:00

Application period ends: 2021-09-19 23:59