Doctoral Researcher in Medieval Manuscript Studies

We invite applications for a fully funded, four-year doctoral researcher position in medieval manuscript studies at the Faculty of Theology, University of Helsinki, commencing 1 September 2026 and ending 31 August 2030.

Research environment and supervision

The position is embedded in the ERC Synergy–funded international research project CODICUM (www.codicum.eu), which investigates medieval written culture in the Nordic region through deeply interdisciplinary approaches. The doctoral researcher will be affiliated with Work Package 4 (PI: Professor Tuomas Heikkilä) and will join an international research environment combining humanities-based manuscript studies with natural-scientific and computational methods.

The doctoral researcher will be supervised by Dr Tuuli Kasso, Dr Jaakko Tahkokallio, and Prof Tuomas Heikkilä, and will have the opportunity to conduct part of the research at other CODICUM partner institutions in Copenhagen, Odense, or Bergen.

Research focus and doctoral project

The successful candidate will complete an article-based doctoral dissertation grounded in the study of original medieval sources, potentially organised around three mutually supporting thematic perspectives:

• history and traditional manuscript studies (e.g. palaeography and codicology),
• natural-scientific and biomolecular analyses (e.g. pigment analysis, palaeoproteomics),
• textual and computational approaches (e.g. automated text identification and analysis of textual transmission and influence).

The dissertation articles may be co-authored, with the doctoral researcher serving as the principal author.

The primary source material consists of twelfth- and thirteenth-century manuscript fragments and documents, mainly held in Finnish and Swedish libraries and archives. The thematic focus is on local manuscript production in Sweden, c. 1150–c. 1250, a period marked by the formation of parish networks, the organisation of dioceses, the development of local liturgies, and increasing local written production. Geographically, the dissertation will focus on one of the medieval Swedish dioceses (excluding Finland). 

The precise research topic, sources, and methods will be defined collaboratively with the supervisors and the CODICUM project, with substantial support in identifying and accessing relevant materials.

The researcher will be responsible for

1. Writing a doctoral dissertation within the aforementioned theme, based on a research plan approved by the dissertation supervisors;
2. Completing the credits required for a doctoral degree in the doctoral programme in theology and religious studies (or another relevant UH doctoral programme);
3. Collaborating on joint workshops and other academic activities within CODICUM project.

Requirements for the position and assessment of qualifications

Applicants are expected to:

• hold a relevant Master’s degree (e.g. history, Latin, theology) by the start of the employment (1 September 2026),
• possess a strong background in medieval history and/or manuscript studies,
• have experience or strong curiosity in conducting multidisciplinary research and incorporating natural sciences into humanities.
• hold the right to complete a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki or shall be granted the right to complete a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki during the trial period at the beginning of the employment relationship.

In addition, applicants are encouraged to demonstrate:

• broad linguistic competence relevant to medieval studies;
• reading proficiency in Swedish, and preferably in other Scandinavian or Nordic languages, as the ability to work with such material will be a significant advantage for the project.

When assessing applicants’ qualifications, attention will be paid to the suitability of the research topic to the overall aims of CODICUM and the promise of internationally high-quality research.

The position is filled with a six-month trial period.

What we offer

The salary for the position will be based on levels 2-4 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The annual gross salary is €31,500 – 39.500 depending on the stage of the thesis. In Finnish universities, the teaching and research staff (app. 65% of total staff) have a special system regarding the free time equivalent to holiday. They belong to the 1,612 annual working hour system, in which the annual amount of paid holiday is app. 5-6 weeks on average per year.

The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development. The University provides support for internationally recruited employees with their transition to work and life in Finland. More information here: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/welcome-finland-information-arriving-staff.

A diverse and equitable study and work culture is important to us. That is why we do our best to promote an inclusive university community. We encourage all qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for our positions.

Click this link to read about accessibility and inclusivity at our University. 

How to apply

The application must be accompanied by the following documents in PDF format:

• A curriculum vitae
• Study transcript of the master’s degree
• Names and contact information of two referees 
• A possible list of publications
• A statement (maximum 2 pages) describing how their academic background, skills and research interests would contribute to achieving the overall aims of the CODICUM project.

Other attachments are not required at this point. We expect that you will send us a self-written application that reflects your own voice and thoughts. Applications generated by artificial intelligence do not meet our expectations. 

Applications must be submitted through the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system by clicking on the link below. Current employees of the University of Helsinki must submit their applications through SAP Fiori’s Suffeli recruitment portal.

Further information about the position can be obtained from Professor Tuomas Heikkilä (tuomas.m.heikkila(at)helsinki.fi). Further information about the recruitment process can be obtained from recruitment(at)helsinki.fi.

Application timeline

• Application deadline: 19 February
• Shortlisting completed by: 31 March
• Interviews and final selection by: 30 April
• Employment begins: 1 September