The University of Helsinki is the oldest and largest institution of academic education in Finland, an international scientific community of 40,000 students and researchers. In international university rankings, the University of Helsinki typically ranks among the top 100. The University of Helsinki seeks solutions for global challenges and creates new ways of thinking for the best of humanity.

The Faculty of Social Sciences is Finland’s leading research and education institution in the social sciences and also the most diverse in terms of its disciplines. In several research fields the Faculty belongs to the top 50 in the international rankings. The Faculty has a strong international profile both in research and teaching programmes. The number of academic staff stands at 500. Each year the faculty awards some 350 Bachelor’s degrees, 400 Master’s degrees, and more than 40 doctoral degrees. For more information, please see the Faculty website at www2.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-social-sciences.

The Faculty of Social Sciences invites applications for a position of

UNIVERSITY RESEARCHER - Core research area sentencing and the system of criminal sanctions

for a permanent position starting from November 1st 2021 (or as agreed) to contribute to the nationwide responsibility of the Institute of Criminology and Legal Policy (KRIMO).

KRIMO is a research institute at the University of Helsinki, specialising in research and monitoring of crime and legal policy in Finland. As specified in the law on Institute of Criminology and Legal Policy (1139/2007), the tasks of the research institute are:
- to practice independent research on legal policy, with regard to needs of the ministry of justice and society at large;
- to monitor legal policy and crime, to analyze their trends;
- to maintain research databases that are necessary for the research specified in the law.

for further information, see www2.helsinki.fi/en/institute-of-criminology-and-legal-policy/about-the-institute

QUALIFICATIONS

The appointee must hold a doctoral degree in criminal law or the social sciences and possess good communication skills in either of the official languages in Finland (Finnish and Swedish). The position requires an ability to conduct independent scientific research in a multidisciplinary environment, obtain funding, and lead a research group.

In accordance with the nationwide responsibility of the KRIMO, the applicants will be evaluated based on their empirical research skills and juridical and theoretical understanding of the functioning of criminal sanctions and their implementation. Research areas relevant for the task include sentencing practices of the courts, evaluation of national criminal law reforms, and the functioning of the criminal justice system.

The appointee should have scientific publications and other research results of scientific value and success in obtaining external research funding. A strong theoretical and methodological background and earlier experience of empirical research on sentencing and the system of criminal sanctions will be valued. Teaching qualifications will be regarded as merit.

The appointee is expected to develop and maintain long-term research activities by both developing her/his own research agenda and contributing to the unit's joint research activities. The latter include collective academic tasks such as teaching, seminars, writing collaborative academic papers, and obtaining funding for research projects.

The institute has developed a unique database covering all court decisions in criminal matters over several years. We especially appreciate the applicant's ability to take advantage of the potential of this database in empirical research. The information contained in the database can be used in various ways in both qualitative and quantitative research.

WHAT WE OFFER

We are an equal opportunity employer and offer an attractive and diverse workplace in an inspiring environment with a variety of development opportunities and benefits. The monthly gross salary range will be approx. € 3875 – 4500 depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. In addition, University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and opportunities for professional development. Further information at www2.helsinki.fi/en/university/careers-at-the-university-of-helsinki. The employment contract will include a probationary period of six months.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the link Apply for job. Applicants who are employees of the University of Helsinki are requested to submit their application via the SAP HR portal. The deadline for applications is 31 August, 2021.

Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications the following documents as a single pdf file:
1) A curriculum vitae
2) Interpretation of previous research based on given criteria and a selection of five key publications to be considered during the review
3) A research plan on how to contribute to the fulfilment of the nationwide responsibility of the institute on core area

For instructions, please see www2.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-social-sciences/faculty/applying-for-teaching-and-research-positions.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the positions may be obtained from research director Juha Kääriäinen, juha.kaariainen@helsinki.fi.

In case you need support with the recruitment system, please contact recruitment@helsinki.fi.