Doctoral Researcher in the FRONT research programme

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 3,600 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based education to build a more sustainable, smarter, and more humane world. The University of Oulu community has about 17,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations.  

We are now looking for

A Doctoral Researcher

to join us in the Frontiers of Arctic and Global Resilience (FRONT) research programme (Profi7) at the University of Oulu. The doctoral researcher position will be placed at Faculty of Humanities, Giellagas Institute.  

The FRONT research programme is part of our national profiling actions supported by the Research Council of Finland. FRONT programme focuses on changing human-environment relations and challenges to cope and adapt with that change. It aims to ground-breaking transdisciplinary research on resilience and how to ‘Adapt for Our Future’ in the Arctic and elsewhere on the planet. The programme involves cutting-edge research to advance the existing frontiers of knowledge on the systemic changes needed for resilience planning and governance, and for finding solutions to the wicked problems of resilience across the social and environmental sciences. FRONT focuses on international top-level collaborative and transdisciplinary research on socio-economic and socio-ecological resilience in different scales across social and environmental sciences, supported by the new Resilience Academy. By bringing together international, national, and University of Oulu-based scholars from across disciplines, and encouraging effective public communication of science, FRONT will promote inter- and transdisciplinary and citizen-engaged studies of the environment and raise the University’s profile as an international leader in addressing the challenges of humans in change and human impacts and dependency on environment. 

About the job

We are seeking a candidate who researches the resilience of Indigenous Sámi culture and/or languages, with a particular focus on societal and political dynamics, power struggles, and hierarchies. The specific research focus could include but is not limited to, topics such as cultural resilience in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss, industrial and military land use, the tensions surrounding the existing livelihoods in Sápmi, the resilience of Sámi political systems, and possibilities for their improvement, the development of the Sámi Parliament's political activities and influence, the electoral systems of the Sámi Parliament(s), societal engagement among the Sámi people, the social and political participation of younger Sámi generations, intergenerational dynamics, and societal-political struggles related to languages. 

In this role as a doctoral researcher, you will join a transdisciplinary research group focused on exploring the resilience of Sámi culture within the context of polycrisis—a concept that captures the interconnected and mutually reinforcing nature of global and local crises, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and geopolitical conflicts. These overlapping challenges intensify one another, leading to complex and unpredictable outcomes, as well as new path dependencies that increase uncertainty and drive material changes. The group examines how Sámi communities and individuals, both within and beyond Sápmi, particularly the youth, navigate and sustain cultural resilience amid these evolving material, political, and social dynamics. Your responsibilities will include collecting qualitative or quantitative data, writing a dissertation, co-authoring articles with senior researchers, contributing to the FRONT programme, collaborating with faculty and university initiatives, and potentially participating in teaching activities. 

 What we offer?

• The support of an experienced and enthusiastic team and supportive research environment where you can share your expertise and grow as an expert.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits. 
• Development and career options of the big organization.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and close-ones in settling into Oulu.
• We have a HR Excellence in Research -quality label which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers. 
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, excellent education system, and competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Who are you? 

In order to succeed and enjoy the position, we expect from you:  

• Master's degree in Sámi culture / language, sociology, political science, history or otherwise related field
• Knowledge about and interest in Sámi cultures and languages and / or in theories and discussions on resilience, shown by, for instance, the master’s thesis, completed courses, and/or earlier work experience
• Ability to demonstrate good English language skills in speech and writing that are sufficient to follow doctoral studies.
• See also the requirements of the University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS) 

We also appreciate 

• Sámi language skills 
• Finnish language skills 

Salary 

The position is fixed-term for 4 years as of 1.1.2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. 

The salary will be based on levels 2-4 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (a maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). The starting gross salary will be approx. 2300-2600 € per month (before taxes).  A trial period of 6 months is applied for the position. 

How to apply? 

Interested? If yes, please apply by the 21st of October 2024 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system. 

The application should be written in English and include the following: 

1. Cover letter
2. CV following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
3. Certificates/Diplomas
4. Contact information of two persons available for recommendation

The eligible applicants fitting best in the profile expected for the position will be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, such as people of different ages, genders, and lingual, cultural, or minority groups. 

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact

Tapio Nykänen, Associate Professor, Faculty of Humanities, Giellagas Institute, tapio.nykanen@oulu.fi