Postdoctoral Researcher in the FRONT research programme

We are now looking for

a Postdoctoral Researcher

to join us in the Frontiers of Arctic and Global Resilience (FRONT) research programme (Profi7) at the University of Oulu. The postdoctoral researcher position will be placed at the Giellagas Institute, the center for education and research of Saami languages and cultures at the Faculty of Humanities.

The FRONT research programme is 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. It 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 job

Resilience, Resistance, and Reconciliation

For this postdoctoral researcher position, we are looking for an internationally oriented researcher who is interested in working on the themes Resilience, Resistance, and Reconciliation in the context of Indigenous Saami culture and society. Themes can be related to a range of topics, such as to traditional and contemporary Resilience, Resistance, and Reconciliation practices in Saami and between Saami and other local and national actors; human-society relations and /or human-non-human relations in developing and realization Saami governance and vitality of Saami languages and cultures; building resilient and sustainable futures for endangered Indigenous languages and cultures based on cultural continuity and innovations. Candidates are expected to have demonstrated knowledge of Saami cultures and/or Saami languages and to be aware of Indigenous approaches and research ethics.

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 

What we offer?

• The support of an experienced and enthusiastic team of people 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 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 competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

What we expect

• A doctoral degree in a relevant field that was awarded no 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
• Demonstrated knowledge of Saami cultures and/or Saami languages spoken in Scandinavia.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills in English

Salary

The position is fixed-term for a maximum of three years, starting 1st of March 2025.

The salary will be based on 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. 3600-4200 € per month (before taxes).

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

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 15.1.2025  (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 Academy of Finland 
4. Preliminary research plan (1/2 page in length)
5. Certificates/Diplomas
6. 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 languages, 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