Postdoctoral Researcher, Geography, Faculty of Science

We are now looking for

a Postdoctoral Researcher

to join us in the Geography Research Unit at the Faculty of Science, a highly acknowledged academic community. Research themes in the Unit cover topics in regional geography, regional development and policy, physical geography, tourism research, geoinformatics, and political geography.

About the job

You will be hired to the project "The good, the bad and the ugly - competitive land uses and resilience in rural social-ecological systems (LEONE)" funded by the University of Oulu Eudaimonia Institute. LEONE analyzes rural social-ecological systems' resilience against multiple competing land uses in coastal Ostrobothnia, Finland, and the Swat Valley, Pakistan. It (1) conducts an inventory of social-ecological systems and land use pressures affecting them, (2) sketches changes in land use governance and related justice outcomes, (3) analyzes how anticipatory governance can initiate desired development pathways, and (4) synthesizes the role of resilience in the studied systems. The project conceptualizes resilience developments as good (the system can transform towards sustainability), bad (system rigidity hampers the needed changes), or ugly (forced change trajectory). The transdisciplinary project utilizes ethnographic fieldwork, participatory stakeholder workshops, GIS, policy document analysis, and systematic literature reviews. LEONE increases understanding of the role of social-ecological resilience and guides how to implement sustainability transformations in the Global North and South.

As a postdoctoral researcher,

• You will concentrate on the Finnish coastal Ostrobothnia case, but contribute also to the Pakistani case.
• Your main responsibilities include collection and analysis of qualitative interview, workshop, and policy document data, as well as quantitative GIS, remote sensing, and statistical data. 
• You will contribute to the conceptual development in the project, consisting of social-ecological systems, land use, social and environmental justice, anticipatory governance, and resilience.
• You will write scientific articles together with the interdisciplinary research group consisting of researchers in geography, cultural anthropology, and other disciplines.
• You will have some teaching, supervision, or other tasks in the Geography Research Unit (max. 10% of your working time).
• Your specific tasks can be tailored based on your skills and interests.

What we offer

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

Who are you?

In order to succeed and enjoy the position, we expect from you: 

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field, such as geography, environmental policy, environmental science, or cultural anthropology. The doctoral degree must be completed by the starting date of the position. The degree must have been obtained no more than 7–10 years ago.
• Willingness to conduct interdisciplinary environmental research A strong background in either qualitative environmental social science research or in environmental geoinformatics research Ability for independent scientific work Shown track record in publishing scientific articles
• Fluent in written and spoken English

We appreciate:

• Finnish language skills
• Evidence that you get things done
• A background both in qualitative environmental social science research and in environmental geoinformatics research

Salary

The position is fixed-term for three years as of 1.1.2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

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 (a maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). The starting gross salary will be approx. 3700-4300 € per month (before taxes).  

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

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 9.11.2025 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

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

• CV, following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity 
• Cover letter
• List of publications, following the guidelines of the Academy of Finland 
• Certificates/Diplomas
• 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 members of different linguistic, cultural, or minority groups. 

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact Associate Professor Aleksi Räsänen (aleksi.rasanen@oulu.fi, +358503719512).