The University of Turku (UTU) is a world-class multidisciplinary research university, which offers interesting challenges and a unique vantage point to national and international research and education. University of Turku has over 20.000 students and about 3500 staff members. In the international QS Ranking, UTU is among the top 300 universities in the world (QS Ranking 2019). The new UTU strategy emphasizes digital skills, e-learning and community participation widely in research, education and societal cooperation. UTU wants to be a forerunner in building innovations in research and education for a more sustainable and fair future. UTUs common values in all its operations are ethicality, criticality, creativity, openness and communality.

University of Turku, Faculty of Science, Department of Geography and Geology, Geography Division, invites applications for

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER (Geospatial Research and Education)

Appointment Specification

Applications are hereby invited for the fixed-term position of Postdoctoral researcher (Geospatial Research and Education), at the University of Turku, in the Faculty of Science, the Department of Geography and Geology, the Geography Division.

Fixed-term position begins in March 2021 and the assignment ends in February 2023. The fixed-term of 36 months is due to completing the tasks relating to the GeoICT4e project (2020-2024) coordinated at the Department. 

A six (6) month trial period applies to the position.

The post is placed at the Geography Division of the Department of Geography and Geology. Geography is a broad-focused and versatile discipline at the University of Turku in the Faculty of Science. It currently includes 8 professors and about 40 researchers or other staff members.

The main research areas at the Geography are a) innovation environments and urban geography b) environmental dynamics and global change c) geospatial data, technologies and applications, and d) riverine environments and coastal areas. Geography is targeting challenges confronted at multiple scales from local to global. The Division has vast research and education cooperation with European, African and South American academic and societal partners.

The division hosts UTU Geospatial Labs (http://geospatial.utu.fi/) with research and education expertise related to geospatial data analysis and modelling, location technology skills, innovations and impacts in the society. The division also hosts UTU Tanzania Research Team (http://tanzania.utu.fi/), that has been conducting geospatial research and education cooperation in Tanzania since 2003. The post is affiliated to these two labs and their expertise at the University of Turku.

The duties

The duties of the Postdoctoral researcher include a) development of innovative e-learning materials and methods, b) teaching geospatial and ICT skills and competences to experts, and c) conducting research related to the institutional competence development as part of the activities of the GeoICT4e-project (www.geoict.org) and UTU Tanzania Team, particularly in Tanzania.

More specifically Postdoctoral researcher is expected to plan and renew digital geospatial, earth observation, Geography and ICT related learning materials and online learning solutions of UTU for the benefit of the project partners and wider audience using MOOCs and different digital data repositories, tools and technologies. The person will be the key project expert training of other experts conducting challenge-based learning campaigns of the project. Furthermore, the person should conduct research related to geospatial skills and capacity building in close cooperation with the project leader and other key experts. Additionally, there will be related research team and departmental tasks allocated for the person. The tasks will be specified together with the department staff.

A good applicant for this post has:

• Doctoral level geospatial/geography/geospatial data and technology research and teaching expertise with references to empirical geospatial research, digital data analyses, hands-on and online teaching at the university level
• Enthusiasm to develop novel and innovative e-learning solutions with mixed methods, and in the context of rapidly developing societies, using open geospatial data, affordable tools and technologies and community participation
• Skilled in co-designing and conducting research related to the geospatial capacity and competence development
• Flexibility to work both online and physically in Finland and Tanzania
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and academic writing skills
• Interested in working in multi-cultural environment, and is creative, supportive and problem-solving oriented team player
• ·         Previous experience in working in developing countries is an added value

Formal qualifications      

A person selected for the post must possess a doctoral degree in geography, geoinformatics or geospatial technologies, or related discipline with above described qualifications. Pedagogical competence particularly at university level (university pedagogy) is considered as an asset. Persons appointed must have successfully completed their doctoral degree by the end of the application period.

Salary

The salary for the post is determined in accordance with the university salary system for teaching and research personnel. The task specific salary component for the postdoctoral researcher is 2 967,84 euros per month (according to level 5 of the job demands chart). In addition, a personal work performance component will be paid. The personal work performance component is 6-50% of the task specific salary component.

Applications  

Applications are submitted to the Faculty of Science. Applications must include:

1) A curriculum vitae

2) An academic portfolio in accordance with the university practice https://www.utu.fi/en/university/come-work-with-us/academic-portfolio

3) A list of the applicant’s scientific publications

4) A research and publication plan for the period (in English, up to 3 pages)

5) Motivation letter

6) Other documents that can be relevant for filling the post

Applications must be submitted by Wednesday 17th of February, 2021 (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).

Enquiries

For the position, please contact Assoc. Professor Niina Käyhkö, email: niina.kayhko@utu.fi

For questions related to the application process, contact HR specialist Kaisa Ketomäki (kaisa.ketomaki(at)utu.fi).