SENIOR RESEARCHER (2-3 POSITIONS) IN SOCIOLOGY, DEMOGRAPHY OR RELATED FIELD, INVEST RESEARCH FLAGSHIP CENTRE

The Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Turku invites applications for the fixed term position of 2-3 Senior Researchers (recent postdocs or equivalent) to the INVEST Research Flagship Centre for a fixed term of 2 years starting earliest in September.

The University of Turku is an inspiring and international academic community of 25,000 students and staff in Southwest Finland. We build a sustainable future with multidisciplinary research, education, and collaboration. With us, your work will have a significant impact and relevance in the changing world.  

INVEST Research Flagship Centre

Think, Question, Get Inspired – New Welfare State: https://youtu.be/CHRyNCQ8MRw

The research flagship Inequalities, Interventions, and New Welfare State (INVEST) aims at providing a new model for the welfare state that is more equal, better targeted to problem groups, more anticipatory as well as economically and socially sustainable. The existing research indicates that the Nordic welfare states are efficient in reducing the negative outcomes that are related to many of the structural family disadvantages, such as parental low education, unemployment or poverty. Despite this, children and youth are still particularly vulnerable when negative life course events take place unexpectedly or when many disadvantages accumulate to the same families. The growth environments can strengthen these negative effects.  

The flagship has been funded by the Academy of Finland and is implemented in cooperation with the University of Turku and the Institute of Health and Welfare (THL). The multidisciplinary project combines sociology, social policy, demography, psychology and psychiatry, in addition to the other connected fields of sciences.

Find out more: http://invest.utu.fi/

Job description

The INVEST Research Flagship Centre, located at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Turku, is recruiting 2-3 senior researchers (recent postdocs or equivalent).

All INVEST researchers are expected to conduct sociological research relating to INVEST research themes: https://invest.utu.fi/research-themes/ We are especially looking for research in the following areas:

• Social and genetic influences in intergenerational transmission of socioeconomic advantages and disadvantages
• How the fast-rising level of education changes social inequalities?
• Digital media, partnering and family dynamics
• How does artificial intelligence change social inequality?

The persons chosen for the positions are expected to work on their own research projects related to the above-listed topics, participate in the research conducted according to the research plans of the flagship and its affiliated projects (see https://invest.utu.fi/projects/) and apply further external funding to their research.

The positions include a small portion of teaching responsibility (5% of the working time at the maximum) in the PhD and Master’s programmes of the flagship (DPInvest and MPInvest). The positions include possibilities to work as a visiting researcher in collaborating universities abroad.

Requirements

The persons chosen for the positions are expected to have:

1. a PhD in sociology, demography or in a field related to the topic (or expected to acquire such a degree within six months),
2. strong skills in quantitative methods and experience on using register, panel, survey or comparative datasets,
3. the ability to conduct independent scholarly work and publish research on the topics related to the project and

The eligibility criteria for the positions are defined in the rules of procedure of the University of Turku (Section 38).

We value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage qualified applicants, regardless of background, to apply for our open positions.

Start time, salary and trial period

The persons chosen for the positions are expected to begin their employment in September 2023 at the earliest and in January 2024 at the latest. Contracts will last for two years, with an option for an extension.

There will be a trial period of three months.

The salary is determined by the collective agreement system of Finnish universities. The position belongs to the category of teaching and research personnel. The pre-estimated salary will be 2900–3050 eur/month for a person holding a MSc degree, and on average 3350-4100 eur/month for a person holding a PhD degree. The exact salary will depend on the person’s competence and research experience and will be specified when the employment contract is prepared. Progress in the researcher's personal performance will be taken into account when determining the salary during employment.

How to apply

The application must include:

1. Research plan describing the researcher’s own research project during the employment (2-5 pages). The plan should outline at least 2 sub studies to be published as journal articles.
2. CV
3. List of publications
4. Two writing samples (articles or manuscripts) on topics related to the topic areas of the flagship
5. If not yet defended a statement from the supervisor on the expected date of defending the thesis)

The appendices should follow the guidelines of the faculty. 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 on 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 31.5.2023 (23.59 EEST, GMT+3) 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.

For further information about the position, please contact:

Further details about the position are available upon request from Professor Jani Erola, +358 29 450 2157, jani.erola(at)utu.fi.

Any inquiries about the recruitment process or the e-recruitment system will be answered by HR Specialist Laura Nieminen, laura.nieminen@utu.fi, +358 29 450 4987

For further information about living and working in Finland: https://invest.utu.fi/vacancies/