Doctoral Researchers in DocSoc360 ° pilot. Three-year positions

We are now looking for two highly motivated and talented

Doctoral Researchers

to join Giellagas Institute, Faculty of Humanities at the University of Oulu.

In this position, you will participate in the national 1000 doctorates pilot programme. As a partner in the programme, the University of Oulu is dedicated to ensuring you have a carefully planned and guided doctoral research experience which will be tailored to support your career plans, enabling you to continue into demanding expert positions in the changing job markets in industry, the public sector and academia.

About the job

Giellagas has a nation-wide responsibility to organize, introduce and provide Saami language and cultural studies and research at the academic level. The main responsibility of Giellagas Institute, in addition to teaching, is research of Saami languages and Saami culture, in other words, increasing all kinds of knowledge regarding the languages, history, society and other cultural aspects of the Saami. Giellagas Institute | University of Oulu

The common research themes include:

• Structures, service systems, and development of Saami social and health care as part of Saami society.
• Training of Saami social and health care professionals.
• Development of Saami cultural competence and Saami languages in social and health care.
• Saami people as clients in social and health care.
• Special features related to Saami culture and community in indigenous social work and health care.

As a doctoral researcher you will:

• Collect and analyze data. 
• Collaborate with stakeholders.
• Pursue further studies (postgraduate education).
• Conduct doctoral research. 

What we offer?

• Saami working community
• Extensive networks for Nordic Saami research and international indigenous research.
• Please read more about DocSoc360° 

The University of Oulu offers

• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits. 
• Development and career options of the big organization.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and close-ones in settling into Oulu.
• We have a HR Excellence in Research -quality label which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers. 
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, excellent education system, and competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Who are you?

Qualification requirements

The chosen doctoral researchers will also be expected to apply for doctoral study rights at the University of Oulu Graduate School. Eligibility for study rights will be evaluated during the job application process. We are looking for excellent candidates who must fulfill the following criteria:

1. Must hold a master's degree or equivalent degree (e.g. licentiate) for example in field of humanities or social sciences. Undergraduate students are eligible to apply provided their Master’s or equivalent degree.
2. Must have achieved a good grade in their degree (i.e. at least 60 % of the maximum grade in both taught courses and the master's thesis)
3. Must be able to demonstrate good English and Finnish language skills in speech and writing that are sufficient to follow doctoral studies. At least B1 proficiency in one of the Saami languages. https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions
4. See also the requirements of the University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS)

We also appreciate

•  Experience in social and health care work with the Saami
•  Knowledge of Saami culture and society  

Position and salary

Doctoral researchers selected in the pilot programme will by default be offered a three-year (36 month) fixed-term full-time employment contract by University of Oulu. These positions are available for highly motivated and talented researchers wishing to undertake and complete training for a research-focused doctoral degree, starting 1 January 2025. A six-month trial period is applied in the position.

The salary of the selected doctoral researchers will be paid monthly. The salary will be based on the levels 2-4 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. 2500-2800 € per month (before taxes).  

The employment contracts are based on a total working time of 1 612 hours per year, which gives the doctoral researchers freedom to plan their working hours.

How to apply?

Please apply by the 8th of August 2024 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

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

• 1) Certificates/Diplomas Scanned copy of the original relevant Master’s degree certificates and transcript of records and, when necessary, official translations to Finnish or English.
• 2) A motivation letter (max. 2 pages) summarizing applicant’s professional experience and expertise and describing why applicant is interested in this position. Also, information on personal research interests, experience and career plans are valuable to provide here. Letter should also include potential specific interests in DocSoc360°, Giellagas Institute.
• 3) Curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages), including a list of any peer-reviewed scientific publications (with full reference details). A recommended CV template can be found on the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity
• 4) Research plan (max. 3 pages) The research plan should contain information about the background and significance of the research (you can use Impact Helper tool), a description of the intended objectives and methods, and a preliminary schedule.
• 5) A valid certificate of language proficiency. Can also be verified in an interview.

Only applications containing all relevant appendices and submitted through the online recruitment system will be considered. Applications received after the call deadline will not be considered.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including people of different ages, genders, and linguistic, cultural, or minority groups.

Recruitment process: 

Interviews for those selected for the next stage in the recruitment process will be held in the autumn of 2024. 

Further information

For further information, please contact dean Paula Rossi email: paula.rossi(at)oulu.fi (Finnish, English,  Swedish and German) , Giellagas Institute unit leader Sigga-Marja.Magga email: sigga-marja.magga(at)oulu.fi (Finnish, English, Saami).