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The Faculty of Social Sciences at Tampere University invites applications for the position of 

Doctoral Researcher in the doctoral programme in literary studies or philosophy for a fixed-term period of 2 years starting in January/February 2026 (or as agreed). 

The position is open within the Centre of Excellence in Meliorist Philosophy of Suffering (MePhiS, 2026-2033, CoE director Sami Pihlström) and its research team Suffering and Meliorism in Literature and the Philosophy of Literature (PI Sari Kivistö), funded by the Research Council of Finland. Among the five research teams of MePhiS, four will be hosted by the Faculty of Theology, University of Helsinki, while the team on Suffering and Meliorism in Literature and the Philosophy of Literature will be hosted by the Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University. The project offers a supportive and inspiring working environment, and excellent opportunities for researchers to develop their skills and career in an international and interdisciplinary setting.

The Centre of Excellence MePhiS will engage in philosophical and interdisciplinary scholarship on meliorist philosophy of suffering (Lat. melior, better). It will place the concept of suffering at the centre of philosophical reflection and offer conceptual and argumentative tools for a deeper understanding of human engagement with affliction, starting from the meliorist idea that the world can and should be made better through active human efforts. According to meliorism, a positive outcome is neither guaranteed (optimism) nor impossible (pessimism). MePhiS aims at (1) reinterpreting ethical and other philosophical issues by emphasising their entanglement with suffering; (2) integrating philosophical inquiries into suffering and meliorism with research emerging from key disciplines in the humanities, especially the history of ideas, literary studies, and theology and religious studies; and (3) critically renewing relevant philosophical and interdisciplinary methodology.

The research group on Suffering and Meliorism in Literature and the Philosophy of Literature within MePhiS focuses on literary studies and the philosophy of literature as routes to meliorist philosophy of suffering. We take seriously the idea that literature can articulate philosophical issues and influence people’s ways of experiencing, expressing, and managing suffering. The research group will critically examine diverging concepts of meliorism by exploring writers with links to optimism, pessimism, and/or meliorism, and analysing literature reflecting societal anxieties and human or non-human suffering caused by wars, violence, poverty, marginalisation, the climate crisis, etc. We will also consider how philosophers employ literature in reflecting on ethical stances to suffering. 

Position

We seek a doctoral researcher with expertise in literary studies and/or philosophy of literature and an interest in advancing research in these fields. The doctoral researcher’s main duties will consist of conducting doctoral research on the research topic.

While MePhiS supports its members’ individual academic autonomy, the recruited scholars will work closely together as a research cluster (also across the different research groups) and are expected to contribute to realising the joint research plan of the entire CoE. The doctoral researcher is expected to participate in regular project meetings and other activities of the CoE and its teams. The appointed researcher will contribute to teaching and administrative tasks up to 5% of their working time. The working language of MePhiS is English.

Qualifications

We seek a candidate who has expertise in literary studies and/or philosophy of literature and is interested in developing the research aims described above. A successful candidate must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field of the humanities or social sciences (e.g., literary studies, philosophy). The selected candidate will need to apply for acceptance and be accepted in Tampere University’s Doctoral Program in Social Sciences during the spring semester 2026.

Familiarity with the topics of suffering, optimism, pessimism, or meliorism in literature and philosophy, as well as previous contributions in combining literary studies with philosophical issues, will be considered an advantage.

The candidate should have the ability to conduct independent research at a high international level. The candidate should have excellent analytical and methodological skills and be able to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of the research team. Excellent written and oral English skills are required.

Please be prepared to provide proof of your qualifications if requested. Please do not submit AI-generated proposals.

We offer

The position is fixed-term for 2 years starting in January/February 2026. A trial period of six months applies to all new employees at Tampere University.

The salary will be based on the University Salary System. The salary of a doctoral researcher is at levels 2-4. In addition to the basic salary, a supplementary portion of the salary will be paid based on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. A typical starting salary is approximately 2,700 EUR / month.

The appointee is expected to reside in Finland while employed by Tampere University. Tampere University is an internationally renowned research university. We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, and excellent sports facilities on campus. Please read more about working at Tampere University. International staff are supported in relocating to Finland.

For more information about Tampere, please see VisitTampere. For further information about Finland, please visit InfoFinland and This is Finland.  

How to apply

Applications should be written in English and submitted electronically via Tampere University’s electronic recruitment system (link below). The closing date for applications is 28 November 2025 (at 23:59/UCT +3:00 (local Finnish time). The online interviews of the top candidates will be held on Friday, December 5 and Monday, December 8.

The following documents must be attached to your application: 

1) CV (max. 3 pages, including a list of publications) 

2) Short letter of reference from the (prospected) supervisor of the PhD thesis

3) Preliminary research proposal (max. 3 pages) consisting of  

1. a description of previous research experience (such as MA thesis);
2. a research idea/vision where you tell us why the themes or approach of the team interest you and how you would like to focus your own PhD in this context.

Enquiries

For further information about the position please contact the project PI, Professor Sari Kivistö, sari.kivisto(at)tuni.fi.

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Tampereen yliopiston yhteiskuntatieteiden tiedekunta hakee kahden vuoden määräaikaiseen tehtävään väitöskirjatutkijaa alkaen tammi/helmikuussa 2026 (tai sopimuksen mukaan). Tehtävä sijoittuu Melioristisen kärsimyksen filosofian huippuyksikköön ja sen tutkimusryhmään Kärsimys ja meliorismi kirjallisuudessa ja kirjallisuudenfilosofiassa (PI Prof. Sari Kivistö; rahoitus: Suomen Akatemia).

Luethan tarkemman tehtävänkuvauksen ja hakuohjeet englanninkielisestä ilmoitustekstistä yläpuolelta. Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 28.11.2025 klo: 23:59.