The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university with about 3,600 employees dedicated to high-standard research and providing research-based education to foster a more sustainable, intelligent, and humane world. The University of Oulu community comprises about 17,000 individuals. Our northern scientific community operates globally, creating conditions for the emergence of innovations.

We are now looking for a

Doctoral Researcher

Doctoral Researcher to join the Frontiers of Arctic and Global Resilience (FRONT) research programme (Profi7) at the University of Oulu. The doctoral researcher position will be placed at the Faculty of Humanities, Giellagas Institute.

The FRONT research programme is part of our national profiling actions supported by the Research Council of Finland. It focuses on changing human-environment relations and the challenges of adapting to these changes. The programme aims for groundbreaking transdisciplinary research on resilience and how to 'Adapt for Our Future' in the Arctic and beyond. It involves cutting-edge research to advance the frontiers of knowledge on systemic changes needed for resilience planning and governance, addressing the complex problems of resilience across social and environmental sciences. FRONT emphasizes international, collaborative, and transdisciplinary research on socio-economic and socio-ecological resilience at various scales, supported by the new Resilience Academy. By bringing together scholars from different disciplines and encouraging effective public communication of science, FRONT aims to raise the University’s profile as an international leader in addressing the challenges of human adaptation and environmental impact.

About the Job

We are seeking a candidate to research the resilience of Indigenous Sámi culture and/or languages, focusing on societal and political dynamics, power struggles, and hierarchies. The research focus may include topics such as cultural resilience amid climate change, biodiversity loss, industrial and military land use, tensions surrounding traditional livelihoods in Sápmi, the resilience of Sámi political systems, the development of the Sámi Parliament's political activities, societal engagement among the Sámi people, social and political participation of younger Sámi generations, intergenerational dynamics, and societal-political struggles related to languages.

As a doctoral researcher, you will join a transdisciplinary research group exploring Sámi cultural resilience within the context of polycrisis—a concept capturing the interconnected nature of global and local crises like climate change, biodiversity loss, and geopolitical conflicts. These challenges intensify one another, leading to complex and unpredictable outcomes. The group examines how Sámi communities and individuals, particularly the youth, navigate and sustain cultural resilience amid evolving material, political, and social dynamics. Your responsibilities will include collecting qualitative or quantitative data, writing a dissertation, co-authoring articles with senior researchers, contributing to the FRONT programme, collaborating with faculty and university initiatives, and potentially participating in teaching activities.

What We Offer

• Support from an experienced and enthusiastic team in a supportive research environment 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.
• Development and career options within a large organization.
• Meaningful work in a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and your loved ones in settling into Oulu.
• We have a HR Excellence in Research quality label, a recognition awarded by the European Commission for developing 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?

To succeed and enjoy the position, we expect the following from you:

• Master's degree in Sámi culture/language, sociology, political science, history, or a related field.
• Knowledge of and interest in Sámi cultures and languages, or theories and discussions on resilience, demonstrated by your master’s thesis, completed courses, and/or previous work experience.
• Proficiency in English sufficient for doctoral studies.
• Refer to the requirements of the University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS).

We also appreciate:

• Sámi language skills.
• Finnish language skills.

Salary

The position is fixed-term for 4 years, starting from 1.1.2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The salary will be based on levels 2-4 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities, with an additional component based on personal work performance (up to 50% of the job-specific component). The starting gross salary will be approximately 2300-2600 € per month (before taxes). A trial period of 6 months applies.

How to Apply

Interested? Please apply by the 21st of October 2024 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

The application should be written in English and include:

1. Cover letter
2. CV following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
3. Certificates/Diplomas
4. Contact information of two referees

Eligible applicants who best fit the position profile will be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

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

Contact Information

For further questions, please contact:

Tapio Nykänen, Associate Professor, Faculty of Humanities, Giellagas Institute, tapio.nykanen@oulu.fi

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