The University of Helsinki is the largest university in Finland, which seeks solutions for global challenges and creates new ways of thinking for the best of humanity. We are one of the best multidisciplinary universities in the world and our community of c. 8 000 employees offers wide ranging career development opportunities in teaching and research as well as in specialist and other support positions.
(www.helsinki.fi/en)

The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry is located on the Viikki campus. The mission of the faculty is to promote the sustainable use of renewable natural resources through scientific research and research-based teaching. We focus on agricultural and forest sciences, food and nutrition, microbiology, as well as on economics and management. We cover the full natural resource chain from farm to fork, the entire field of forest sciences from soil chemistry to marketing, as well as the environmental effects of related activities. Graduates from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry are versatile experts in biosciences and business, able to meet the needs of both the business sector and society at large.
(www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-agriculture-and-forestry)

The Department of Economics and Management conducts high-quality research and teaching, involving the application of economics, management, marketing and consumption theory, methods and perspectives to address issues associated with the goods and services from our terrestrial and aquatic environments: agricultural areas, food systems, forests and aquatic environments. The department has several international research groups. The department hosts the M.Sc. programme “Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics” and the M.Sc. programme “Food economy and consumption (website in Finnish)” and the B.Sc. programme “Environmental and Food Economics”. Our researchers also participate in the teaching and development of doctoral programmes. The Department is also a part of Helsinki Graduate School of Economics (HGSE).
(www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-agriculture-and-forestry/research/economic...)

Applications are invited for positions of

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER AND DOCTORAL STUDENT

in the field of environmental social sciences

Positions are for a fixed-term period, from 12 to 24 months, starting in 2022. There is a possibility for continuation as further funding is secured.

These positions are funded by the Academy of Finland project ‘Skills of self-provisioning in rural communities’ (https://akareport.aka.fi/ibi_apps/WFServlet?IBIF_ex=x_hakkuvaus2&CLICKED...). The project investigates the skills and practices of local food production, as well as the prerequisites for the construction of such skills. Empirical insights are gained from two case studies in Finland: (1) a municipality with an official resilience agenda and (2) a village running a self-sufficiency institute. By comparing the results from these case studies, the research will identify and analyze the focal skills and practices relevant for sustainable organization.

The successful candidates will also become part of a collaborative research group ‘Process studies on sustainable economy’ (https://researchportal.helsinki.fi/fi/organisations/process-studies-on-s...) at the Department of Economics and Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. The group builds on process philosophy and focuses on understanding the enactors, enactments, and enablers—as well as their relations—relevant for a sustainable economy. Recent phenomena investigated include affordances, agency, culture, degrowth, social practices, sufficiency, and technology.

We are looking for highly motivated scholars that are fluent in English and possess excellent writing skills. The main duties of the researchers are data collection and analysis, as well as the dissemination of findings, including talks and article writing.

REQUIREMENTS
The appointee to the position of postdoctoral researcher shall hold a doctoral degree and have the ability to conduct independent scholarly work as well as the teaching skills necessary for the position. The postdoctoral researcher is expected to be an expert in qualitative methods (particularly interviews) and have a good command of relational approaches and theories of social practices.

The appointee to the position of a doctoral student should have a MSc or similar degree from a field relevant to the position and motivation to carry out postgraduate studies on the topic. The successful candidate must have a right to pursue studies leading to a doctoral degree from the Helsinki University, or this right must be successfully applied for during the trial period. The doctoral student is expected to assist with qualitative data collection and analysis and have an interest in developing an expertise in process thinking. (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/the-application-p...)

The salary for the postdoctoral position is based on level 5 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee shall be paid a salary component based on personal work performance. The annual gross salary range varies between 3200–4400 €/month, depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate.

The doctoral student’s salary will be based on levels 2–3 of the demands level chart for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. The starting salary will be between 2200–2500 €/month, depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate.

A six month trial period will be applied in both positions.

Applications must have the following enclosures as a single pdf file in English:
1) letter of motivation, including a statement of methodological skills (max 1 page),
2) academic CV, and
3) list of publications
4) names and e-mail addresses of two referees.

Please submit your application, together with the required attachments, through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the Apply for the position link below.

Applicants who are employees of the University of Helsinki are requested to leave their application at https://msap.helsinki.fi

The deadline for applications is 31.10.2021.

Further information on the position can be obtained from Dr Pasi Heikkurinen, pasi.heikkurinen(at)helsinki.fi

In case you need assistance with the University’s electronic recruitment system or SAP HR portal, please contact HR Coordinator Sari Aaltonen, sari.aaltonen(at)helsinki.fi