Three Postdoctoral Researchers in the FRONT research programme

The University of Oulu is one of the biggest and most multidisciplinary universities in Finland. We create new knowledge and innovations that help to solve global challenges. We offer you an international and inspiring working environment where you are given responsibility and can use your skills, develop yourself and do work that matters. Our flexible and family-friendly workplace makes it easy for you to balance work and leisure. The University of Oulu is ranked in the top 3% of the world´s universities.

We are now looking for

Three Postdoctoral Researchers

to join us in the Frontiers of Arctic and Global Resilience (FRONT) research programme (Profi7) at the University of Oulu. The postdoctoral researcher positions will be placed in the Oulu Business School, Faculty of Education and Psychology, and Faculty of Science.

The FRONT research programme forms a part of our national profiling actions supported by the Research Council of Finland. FRONT programme focuses on changing human-environment relations and challenges to cope and adapt with that change and aims to ground-breaking transdisciplinary research on resilience and how to ‘Adapt for Our Future’ in the Arctic and elsewhere on the planet. The programme involves cutting-edge research to advance the existing frontiers of knowledge on the systemic changes needed for resilience planning and governance, and for finding solutions to the wicked problems of resilience across the social and environmental sciences. FRONT focuses on international top-level collaborative and transdisciplinary research on socio-economic and socio-ecological resilience in different scales across social and environmental sciences, supported by the new Resilience Academy. By bringing together international, national and University of Oulu-based scholars from across disciplines, and encouraging effective public communication of science, FRONT will promote inter- and transdisciplinary and citizen-engaged studies of the environment and raise the University’s profile as an international leader in addressing the challenges of humans in change and human impacts and dependency on environment. 

About the jobs

Resilient Networks

For this position focused on resilient business networks, we are looking for an internationally oriented postdoctoral researcher who is interested in pursuing work across traditional disciplinary boundaries on the resilience theme. The applicant should be conversant in theoretical frameworks linked to investigating how radical shifts and crises impact inter-organizational networks, and how these entities can cope with transitions needed. The research questions may focus on aspects such as how resilience emerges in networks, or how reconfiguration of varied competences take place in resilient networks – or in those that fail. 

Education for Socio-ecological Resilience

For this position, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with knowledge of transformative education, experience of participatory research approaches, and research orientation to global education and learning for social sustainability and resilience.  Research is expected to focus on learning of sustainable lifestyles, social justice, diversity in education or learning communities amidst ecological crises. The postdoctoral researcher will work in collaboration with a research team exploring students’ global responsibility to act sustainably.  

Geographical Resilience research

For this Geographical Resilience Research postdoctoral researcher position, we are looking for a scholar conversant in resilience research on areas that can be related to a range of topics, such as sustainable development (and SDGs) governance; spatialities of environmental and climate change adaptation; political ecology; tourism management, planning and development; and community, heritage and creative cultural studies. Postdoctoral researcher is expected to develop research ideas on how to assess resilience in different socio-spatial scales in collaboration with a research team.  

As a postdoctoral researcher you will

• Collaborate in service to FRONT programme, faculty, and university
• Participate in the development and activities of the Resilience Academy of Oulu (RAO)
• Engage in writing and submitting applications for research funding
• Take part in teaching activities, subject to faculty and research unit needs and the successful

What we offer?

• We offer you a supportive academic environment in a community of committed scholars and the possibility to make use of funding opportunities to generate new research ideas and build an innovative programme that will attract international scholars.
• The University of Oulu offers flexible working hours, an excellent work-life balance and provides a range of occupational healthcare services.
• Our competitive salaries include paid leave and an additional holiday bonus in the summer. Read more about working with us and our other staff benefits here.

What we expect

• A doctoral degree in a relevant field that was awarded not more than ten years ago
• A transdisciplinary research orientation with demonstrated research experience or interest
• Good, demonstrated capacity to collaborate in research and research dissemination activities
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills in English

Salary

The position is fixed-term for maximum three years.

The salary will be based on the levels 5-6 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). Starting gross salary will be approx. 3600-4200 € per month (before taxes).  

A trial period of 6 months is applied in the position.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 15.1.2024 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

The application should be written in English and include the following:

1. CV, following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity 
2. Cover letter 
3. List of publications, following the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland 
4. Certificates/Diplomas
5. Contact information of 2 persons available for recommendation

The eligible applicants fitting best in the profile expected for the position will be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, such as people of different ages, different genders and lingual, cultural or minority groups. 

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact FRONT coordinator Lotta Haukipuro, lotta.haukipuro(at)oulu.fi, +358 440 661 683 

1. Lotta Haukipuro, +358440661683