Doctoral candidate/project researcher fixed-term position

The University of Turku is a world-class multidisciplinary research university, which offers interesting challenges and a unique vantage point to national and international research and education. The Department of Geography and Geology invites applications for the position of

Doctoral candidate/project researcher for a period of 20–23 months.

The doctoral candidate will work in the URKO research consortium (Uralic triangulation / Uralilainen kolmio) (funded by the Academy of Finland), which studies human linguistic, genetic and cultural diversity and history in the Uralic language speaker area in North-Western Eurasia. The project will develop user-friendly online interfaces to several emerging open access databases in Uralic linguistics and Finnish archaeology, such as typological data of Uralic languages, spatial data on Uralic language distribution areas, and archaeological artefacts in Finland. The project will conduct holistic studies of human prehistory in the Uralic language speaker area, for example by developing state-of-the-art geospatial and geostatistical methods. URKO will also create teaching material based on these databases.

The doctoral candidate will contribute to the research of geospatial aspects of these data, and holistic regional analyses. In addition, the tasks include producing teaching material and coordinating the development of a user interface for a geographical database of the Uralic language speaker area. This involves collaboration with IT staff and programmers. The doctoral candidate will aim at a doctoral degree in geography, contributing to the cross-disciplinary consortium and its targets, and publishing scientific papers about the issues studied in the project.

A successful applicant holds a Master’s degree in geography or similar discipline, and is able to carry out independent scientific research within the consortium. Knowledge about geographical phenomena regarding the nature-human relationship, excellent understanding of spatial data and methods, basic skills in statistics, as well as ability to work fluently in English are required. Documented education, experience and publication record relevant to the URKO themes, and experience in multidisciplinary collaboration, as well as teaching, and teaching material creation in geoinformatics are considered as advantages for the applicant. The consortium will support the doctoral candidate in securing additional funding for finishing the doctoral studies within four years.

The salary will be determined in accordance with the Finnish university salary system for teaching and research personnel, and consists of two components: a task-specific base reflecting how demanding the position is, and a performance component reflecting an evaluation of the position-holder’s personal achievement. For a doctoral candidate, the base salary will be at levels 2–4 on the task-specific chart, 2033–2535 euros per month. The personal performance component, added on top of the task-specific base salary is 6–50 %.

The work contract begins in April 1^st 2020, or as agreed, and continues for 20–23 months, depending on the salary level of the person appointed. The position has a six-month trial period.

Applications must be submitted by Monday February 24^th 2020 (23:59), using the electronic application form of the University of Turku on the following address: https://www.utu.fi/en/university/come-work-with-us/open-vacancies
The link to the application system is at the beginning of this announcement (Apply for the job). Applications must be accompanied by a motivational letter, a curriculum vitae (including possible publication list and evidence of previous research and teaching duties), and a free-form description (1–2 pages) expressing the applicant’s views and ideas about the applicability of geographical and geospatial methodologies in multidisciplinary studies. Also, include other documentation, which may be relevant to the selection.

For further information, please contact University Lecturer Harri Tolvanen (harri.tolvanen@utu.fi).