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.

IN THE FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES OF UNIVERSITY ON TURKU, THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYHOLOGY AND SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR

Two fixed term positions of project researcher in psychology for 1 May 2021 – 31 May 2022/31 December 2023

The Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology conducts internationally high-quality research and provides research-based undergraduate and graduate education in the subjects of psychology and speech-language pathology. The location of the department in the Faculty of Social Sciences in the vicinity of Turku University Central Hospital enables diverse interdisciplinary scientific activities. In addition to teaching and research, the department also acts as a significant influencer in the field of speech-language pathology and psychology. The aim of the department is to reach the international top in research and teaching of speech therapy and psychology.

The two project researchers will be working for an entity of three research projects that all aim at using behavioral knowledge, mainly altering choice architecture and nudge theory, in mitigation of climate change. The master project is ”Nudging for climate: Using behavioral sciences for steering communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fortify carbon sinks (CLIMATE-NUDGE)” and it is funded by the Strategic Research Council of Finland. The aim is to co-create nudge interventions together with the stakeholders to 1) decrease greenhouse gas emissions in transportation sector and 2) optimizing use of carbon storages in forest and land use sector. The effects of nudges will be compared with modelled effects of more traditional societal steering methods, such as changes in taxation. Ethical evaluation is embedded in the process, as well as assessment of economic and health effects. The two other research projects strengthen the two main targets of the CLIMATE-NUDGE project and are funded by the Turku Urban Research Programme and it focuses on creating nudges to decrease greenhouse gas emissions especially in the City of Turku. The other project is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and it expands nudging further to the land use sector.

The project researcher is expected to apply for doctoral training at the University of Turku Graduate School. In addition, the tasks include participating in planning the nudge interventions, collecting, analyzing and reporting data, and societal interaction. The exact topic of the doctoral thesis can be discussed, but it must be related to these projects and behavioral sciences. Thus, knowledge of behavioral sciences is required of the applicant. For the traffic theme, it will be considered an advantage if the applicant has knowledge in traffic and urban research and if the applicant holds driving licence in Finland (category B). The applicant also has to have a possibility to work at least part of the time in Turku, Finland. For the forestry theme, knowledge in forestry and land use will be considered as an advantage.

For the project researcher, we offer a possibility to participate in doing research with societal impact and working with experienced experts in a multidisciplinary research environment. The vast networks of the projects enable also contacts with Finnish research organizations, stakeholders and decision-makers.

The eligibility criteria for the positions are defined in the rules of procedure of the University of  Turku                        https://www.utu.fi/sites/default/files/public%3A//media/file/UTU_Rules_of_Procedure.pdf (section 38).  A person selected for the post of project researcher is required to have a higher university degree. When assessing the merits of the applicants, special emphasis will be placed on competence and practical expertise in the field in question.

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.

The salary of the project researcher will be at levels 2 – 4 on the task-specific chart, between 2 055,66–2 563,09 euros per month. The personal performance component, added on top of the task-specific base salary, which at the beginning of the employment relationship is typically 6-16 % of the base salary.

Position 1 will focus on research regarding traffic. The position will start on 1 May 2021 or according to mutual agreement and end on 31 May 2022.

Position 2 will focus on research regarding forestry and land use. The position will start on 1 May 2021 or according to mutual agreement and end on 31 December 2023. Both positions have a six-month trial period.

Applications should be accompanied by curriculum vitae, a possible list of publications, a motivation letter and other documentation which may be relevant to the appointment. The appendices should follow the guidelines of the faculty, see https://www.utu.fi/en/university/faculty-of-social-sciences/career

The electronic database allows the applicant to submit only one application file to each application section. Information on the file forms to be used can be found in the additional information of each application. Please note that the database only allows the publications to be submitted in a packaged form (.zip). One zip-file may include several individual files.

Applications must be submitted by the 16 April, 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”). 

For further information, please contact Professor Paula Salo, +358-29-450 3029,  pajoal@utu.fi. Any inquiries about the recruitment process or the e-recruitment system will be answered by HR Specialist Nina Kramsu, +358-29-450 3105, nina.kramsu@utu.fi.