Doctoral Researcher, Cultural Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities (MITIME position #6)

We are now looking for

a Doctoral Researcher in Anthropology of Migration (MITIME PhD position #6)

to join the Cultural Anthropology programme at the Faculty of Humanities. This position is one of four Oulu-based doctoral researcher positions on MITIME (“Entanglements of Migration and Time in Post-industrial Urban Europe”), an EU-funded doctoral programme. MITIME is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network focusing on how time shapes migration, inequality, and urban life in post-industrial Europe. It offers international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral training to 15 recruited early-stage researchers across partnered European universities. For more information on the MITIME doctoral programme, click here.

About the job

You will work as a doctoral researcher as part of the MITIME training programme, and will conduct original research focused on migration, temporality, and urban inequalities. You will participate in all MITIME network-wide training and mobility activities, take part in planned secondments, and actively contribute to programme initiatives in academic and societal engagement and knowledge exchange. You will also play an active role in the dynamic intellectual environment at Oulu’s Faculty of Humanities.

The thesis topic you will work on is preliminarily entitled “Belonging and non-belonging in/to the Urban Future”. This doctoral project examines how the imagination of post-industrial urban futures in Europe are shaped by narratives of contemporary and historical industrial migration. The project analyses the cases of post-industrial cities in Finland and Germany to consider the role of past and present labour migration in urban (re-)development and branding. Alongside the diverse trajectories of labour migration, it considers ongoing socio-economic transformations that influence future planning and image-making, including local ecologies and the so-called urban-rural divide. Research will think through possible tools for translating migrant histories into urban and peri-urban development processes. Methodologically, this thesis is grounded in multi-modal ethnographic research conducted across Finland and Germany. It also employs critical discourse analysis of city branding and policy materials. Two three-month secondments are planned as part of the position: (1) to Ruhr University Bochum to work with the co-supervisor on policy analysis and on visual walking methods for documenting eligibilities of migration and labour; (2) with the City of Oulu migration department for learning about urban policies and city branding initiatives related to labour migration and recruitment of international labour.

The project’s primary supervisor is Prof. Roger Norum (University of Oulu). The co-supervisor is Dr. Katrin Menke (Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany).

What we offer

• 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.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and your close ones in settling into Oulu.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture, and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits here.
• 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. 

Programme benefits

• A prestigious Marie-Curie position within a dynamic network of universities and societal partners in migration and urban studies.
• A comprehensive training programme combining courses in theory and method, with transferable skills.
• Joint supervision by leading academic experts with interdisciplinary guidance and intellectual support.
• International and intersectoral secondments with non-academic and institutional partners across Europe.
• Strong career-development opportunities across academic, public, and private sectors.
• Structured mentoring, leadership training, and professional development.
• A competitive MSCA salary with mobility and family allowances, and, where applicable, special-needs support.

Who are you?

We welcome applications from highly motivated candidates with a demonstrated capacity for independent and collaborative research and a strong interest in the interdisciplinary study of migration, temporality, and urban inequality.

In order to succeed and most benefit from the position, you are expected to demonstrate the following:

• A strong commitment to conducting interdisciplinary and collaborative research in international and cross-sectoral contexts.
• The ability to take initiative, manage research tasks responsibly, and work both independently and as part of a team.
• The capacity to design and complete a doctoral research project within the framework and timeline of the assigned project description, leading to the submission of a PhD thesis and other academic outputs.
• Willingness to contribute to MITIME’s collective research, training, and dissemination activities, including workshops, summer schools, and other network events.
• The capacity to play an active role in conceptualizing, developing, and executing core MITIME project outputs, e.g. scientific articles, reports, conferences.
• Prior experience with the theoretical and methodological dimensions of qualitative and/or quantitative research.
• Academic or professional experience relevant to the thematic focus of MITIME.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, attention to detail, and the ability to deliver high-quality written and oral outputs.
• Demonstrated academic writing experience in the social sciences or humanities.
• Excellent English-language communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Willingness and readiness for international mobility, including research secondments, training events, and conference participation.

We also require that you:

• Hold a relevant Master’s degree that has been completed and awarded before the beginning of the contract.
• Have not previously completed or defended a PhD.
• Have not lived or carried out your main work or studies in Finland for more than 12 months during the 36 months before the position begins (in accordance with Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network regulations). There are a few exceptions, such as compulsory national service, short visits (e.g., holidays), or time spent in processes related to obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention.
• See also the requirements of the University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS).

We also appreciate:

• German language skills are desirable but not required.
• A record of scholarly publications (where available).

Salary

The position is fixed-term for 36 months as of 1.9.2026 (or as agreed).

The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary (see individual project descriptions for exceptions) in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Doctoral Candidates. The positions offer support provided in the form of:

• Competitive gross salary (living allowance): €4010 per month*
• Mobility allowance: €710 per month
• Family allowance, if applicable: €660 per month

*To allow for the difference in cost of living in different EU Member States, the base gross salary (€4010) is adjusted through the application of a correction coefficient based on the country where the position is based. This means that your final gross salary may be more or less than this amount. The coefficients applied can be found on p.156-157 of Annex II Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2024 - 2. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. The gross salary is subject to all compulsory deductions under national legislation of the country of the recruiting institution, such as social security contributions and/or taxes.

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

How to apply?

Please apply by 1.2.2026 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

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

1. Motivation Letter (maximum 1 page): Introduce yourself and your qualifications, outline your motivation for applying to the position, and describe your future career objectives.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Include details of educational qualifications, grades achieved in relevant research modules or dissertations, and any other pertinent academic or professional experience. You may (but are not required to) follow the TENK template for researcher CVs.
3. Research Proposal (3-6 pages long + abstract, font size 12pt), written in English. Please ensure that your proposed research aligns closely with the focus of the PhD project, "Belonging and non-belonging in/to the Urban Future". General guidelines for preparing a research plan can be found here.
4. Degree Certificates: Submit copies of Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas or proof of degree completion. If you are currently enrolled in a Master’s programme, include available transcripts and a statement from your supervisor confirming that you are on track to complete your degree by the commencement of the contract.
5. Official Transcripts: Provide final grade transcripts for both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. If transcripts are not in English, include an official translation.
6. Proof of English Language Competence: Submit documentation of English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS). Candidates whose first language is English, or who have previously studied in English, should provide a brief justification requesting exemption from this requirement.

The eligible applicants who best fit the profile expected for the position will be invited to an on-site or remote interview between February and March 2026. Additional documentation might be requested from candidates to be interviewed. All applicants will be notified during the selection process. The position is anticipated to begin in September 2026.

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

You can find more information regarding the programme here.

If you have any further questions about this position or about the MITIME programme, please contact supervisor Prof. Roger Norum (roger.norum@oulu.fi).