Postdoctoral Researcher and Doctoral Researcher, Science and Technology Studies (STS) and aquatic restoration in the Nordic and Arctic regions

We are looking to hire highly motivated

Postdoctoral Researcher and Doctoral Researcher

to join the Department of Anthropology, in the History, Culture and Communications Unit at the Faculty of Humanities, the University of Oulu.

The hired researchers will develop and implement their own research plan in the specified research area and work in collaboration with Dr. Jose A. Cañada and their research team under the programme “Safeguarding biodiversity through interdisciplinary research on habitat restoration” (SAFIRE).

Aquatic ecosystems are a central element in how humans are addressing their own survival. Lakes, rivers, wetlands, seas, oceans and melting ice caps are central elements of the ongoing ecological crisis linked to human modes of economic and capitalist production. Discourses and practices of ecological repair coexist with refusals to give up on ideals of economic growth, often featuring techno-optimist visions to develop possible solutions. In this context, restoration of aquatic habitats has emerged with force as a dominant strategy for environmental care, with links to more traditional conservation approaches or more intrusive geoengineering initiatives.

Researchers hired in this position will have the opportunity to develop their own research plan to study how the relation between humans and their surrounding environments is shifting as the result of alterations to aquatic ecologies in the Arctic and Nordic regions, with a special focus on knowledge production and practices from technoscientific, regulatory, citizen, and indigenous perspectives. Social research in this area is key to ensure responsible technoscientific development, and socio-ecologically just development of policy and governance.

Both positions benefit from the University of Oulu’s long-term development of trans- and interdisciplinary research about human-environment relations, currently under the programme “Safeguarding biodiversity through interdisciplinary research on habitat restoration” (SAFIRE). As a result, the hired researchers will be active participants in the exciting calendar of interdisciplinary activities and events. More information about SAFIRE and its research themes can be found here.

About the job

Hired researchers will work closely with Dr Jose A. Cañada and their research team. The group is conceived as a site for close collaboration among likeminded researchers that also fosters independence and career development. Dynamics of the group build on the CSSM model for distributed and less hierarchical academic collaboration (learn more here).

The team is formed around a common interest in aquatic ecologies and perspectives in the social sciences on care, participation, methodological experimentation, and justice. These areas of interest are articulated around four thematic areas, which all originate in scholarship in the area of Science and Technology Studies:

Thematic area 1: A more-than-human approach based on care that serves as a frame diverse practices for environmental management. In this context, management emerges as a form of interaction that requires close contact with other species and habitats. These are practices that are carried out by a variety of actors, including scientific practitioners, environmental managers, governments, civil society organizations, private sector, citizens, and more.

Thematic area 2: A broad understanding of knowledge production with an emphasis on flows manifested through practices and discourses that contribute to diverse and situated accounts of the world that do not fit the universalist and positivist approaches that have historically dominated modern science. Knowledge is understood not as fact discovery but as a collective endeavour that takes place across different societal areas and involves human and nonhuman actors.

Thematic area 3: Scientific citizenship and public participation in the production of environmental and aquatic futures through hybrid citizen and scientific communities involved in different strategies to know and care for aquatic habitats. This involves understanding the intersectional positioning and situated contributions of different actors, including not just citizen participation in scientific initiatives but the citizen status of experts and interested parties with specific positions towards socioecological debates.

Thematic area 4: Methodological experimentation and sensory approaches to develop new lenses and techniques able to yield different results that do not reify normative understandings which, in some cases, can stagnate and polarize environmental debates. This involves relying on modes of knowledge production that step away but continue to engage with scientific methods developed around notions of validity and reliability.

For both the Postdoctoral Researcher and the Doctoral Researcher primary duties attached to the position will include:

• Planning and conducting social scientific research on aquatic ecologies that directly engages with at least two of the four thematic areas mentioned above.
• Participating of and contributing to internal research group activities; planning and implementing collaboration with group colleagues.
• Producing academic contributions in the form of e.g. articles, thesis or other monographs, experimental non-textual formats.
• Active participation and facilitation of interdisciplinary work both in the context of SAFIRE activities and in their own projects.
• Participating in outreach initiatives that engage both academic and non-academic publics.
• Engaging in writing and submitting applications for further research funding.
• Other administrative and community activities linked to academic life at the University of Oulu.

What we offer

• The support of an experienced and enthusiastic team, with whom you can share your expertise and grow as an expert.
• 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.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture, and well-being, and flexible multi-location and remote work opportunities in Finland. Read more about other staff benefits.
• 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.
• Work that matters! Read more about working with us.

Who are you?

Postdoctoral Researcher

In order to succeed and enjoy the Postdoctoral Researcher position, we require from you: 

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field (science and technology studies, anthropology, sociology, social psychology, environmental social sciences, or equivalent). The doctoral degree must have been completed by the closing date for applications. The degree must have been obtained no more than 10 years ago.
• An interest in issues related to environmental management of aquatic habitats in the Nordic and/or Arctic regions
• Experience in qualitative social scientific research evidenced by peer-reviewed publications or defended doctoral thesis monograph
• A transdisciplinary research orientation, with experience of or interest in knowledge communities beyond the social sciences and humanities
• Capacity to collaborate in research and research dissemination activities
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills in English (the working language of the research team)
• Proven teamwork skills and commitment to academic collaboration

We also appreciate:

• Existing research and/or practitioner experience of issues related to either science-policy and/or rural and agricultural research
• Conversational level of Finnish

When assessing the candidate’s merits for the position of Postdoctoral Researcher, attention will be paid to scientific excellence, such as research outputs, international scientific activities and collaboration, supervision of undergraduate students, pedagogical competence, societal relevance, impact and potential of scientific activities, and services for the academic community. 

Doctoral Researcher

In order to succeed and enjoy the Doctoral Researcher position, we require from you: 

• Master's degree in a relevant field (science and technology studies, anthropology, sociology, social psychology, environmental social sciences, or equivalent). A Master's degree must have been completed before the start of the doctoral researcher's work.
• An interest in issues related to environmental management of aquatic habitats in the Nordic and/or Arctic regions
• Experience or training in qualitative social scientific research evidenced by a high-quality MA or MSc thesis
• A transdisciplinary research orientation, with experience of or interest in knowledge communities beyond the social sciences and humanities
• Capacity to collaborate in research and research dissemination activities
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills in English (the working language of the research team)
• You must apply for the right to study for a doctoral degree at the beginning of your employment in accordance with the requirements of the University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS)

We also appreciate:

• Existing research and/or practitioner experience of issues related to either science-policy and/or rural and agricultural research
• Conversational level of Finnish

Salary

Postdoctoral Researcher

The position is fixed-term for 3 years as of 1.9.2026 (an earlier or a later start date +- 2 months can be negotiated). 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.

Doctoral Researcher

The position is fixed-term for 4 years as of 1.9.2026 (an earlier or a later start date +- 2 months can be negotiated). 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 (a maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). The starting gross salary will be approx. 2600-3200 € per month (before taxes). A trial period of 6 months is applied to the position.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 3rd May 2026 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

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

1. Letter of motivation (max. 1 page) summarizing your professional experience and expertise and describing why you are interested in the position
2. Research concept paper (max. 2 pages; references do not count towards this limit) for a potential project in the topic of the position. The plan should include information about any potential empirical work linked to it and a section that discusses its engagement with the thematic areas mentioned above
3. Curriculum vitae (max. 4 pages) in accordance with the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
4. For the Postdoctoral Researcher position, a list of publications, following the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland, with up to five key publications relevant to the position marked in bold
5. Contact information of two to three senior/experienced researchers who may be asked to give a personal statement about you (note that these will only be requested if you are shortlisted for this position)

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, including people of different ages, genders, languages, cultures, and minority communities.

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact Dr Anna Krzywoszynska (anna.krzywoszynska(at)oulu.fi).

The call has been edited on 14th April 2026. For clarification, references in the research concept paper do not count toward the maximum two-page limit.