Doctoral Researcher in theology or religious studies
Doctoral Researcher in theology or religious studies
The Faculty of Theology is looking for a doctoral researcher (starting 1 July 2025 or as agreed, fixed-term contract for four years) whose dissertation project would contribute to the Profi8 Diversity in Society and Life (DIVSOL), and especially its Theme 1: Changing worldviews: Research under this theme examines how social identities overlap with religious, ethnic, gender and other identities, with attention to the role of religious diversity in a secularising society, focusing on Islamic and urban theology, and the experiences of inclusion and wellbeing of people in the margins in urban contexts.
Profiling 8 research action Diversity of Life and Society (DIVSOL) brings together existing strands of research on diversity at the University of Helsinki to create a leading European community for transdisciplinary research on ethnic, cultural, linguistic, religious and socio-ecological diversity. The action aims at offering novel insights into diversity that will contribute to the development of multi-level sustainable policies for human flourishing. This includes identifying social and environmental inequalities, supporting inclusive social action and policies, informing learning and education, promoting democratic literacy, understanding and promoting convivial multilingualism, and opening new methodological horizons. A strategic emphasis on data and AI supports reaching these aims.
DIVSOL is led by the Faculty of Arts and includes all SSH units (Arts, Education, Law, Theology, Social Sciences, the Swedish School of Social Science, and the Helsinki Institute for Social Sciences and Humanities) as well as the Faculties of Science, and of Biological and Environmental Sciences of the University of Helsinki.
The researcher will be responsible for
- conducting research with the aim of completing the dissertation and doctoral degree (either Doctor of Theology or Doctor of Philosophy)
- participating in and contributing to DIVSOL events and doctoral program and doctoral school events and activities of a particular discipline (e.g., urban theology)
- sharing research results in academic and/or non-academic events or publications.
Requirements for the position and assessment of qualifications
According to the Regulations of the University of Helsinki, an appointee to the position of doctoral researcher shall hold a second-cycle degree and 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.
Other requirements shall include an approved research proposal, the ability and motivation, as demonstrated in previous degree studies and otherwise, to pursue postgraduate studies and a doctoral degree according to the study plan and research proposal.
In exceptional cases, an appointee to the position of doctoral researcher may also be a student who is completing postgraduate studies alongside a first- or second-cycle degree if permitted by the admission criteria of the relevant faculty’s doctoral programmes.
When assessing applicants’ qualifications, attention will be paid to the quality and feasibility of the applicant’s research plan and its suitability of the research themes to DIVSOL.
What we offer
The student will receive full salary up to four years and two doctoral supervisors. 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 €29,500 – 38,000. Researchers receive occupational healthcare and five to six weeks’ annual paid holiday. The position is filled with a six-month trial period.
The student will also have access to limited travel money and funds for open access publishing as well as language revision services.
The city of Helsinki is the capital city of Finland, with a population of ca. 1.3 million. It has been consistently ranked amongst the top cities in the world for quality of living. Founded in 1640, the University of Helsinki is an international academic community of 40,000 students and staff members. It operates on four campuses in Helsinki and at 15 other locations.
How to apply
The application must be accompanied by the following documents in PDF format:
- A curriculum vitae, including possible publication list;
- Names of two referees (may be supervisors);
- Research plan (max. 6 pages) for the research that the applicant would conduct in DIVSOL consisting of:
- title, theme, discipline, and language of dissertation
- abstract
- background, purpose, and significance;
- implementation, data and research methods, and publication plan;
- ethical issues
- current state and schedule; any previous research experience; the needed funding period
- Study transcript of the master’s degree
Other attachments, including letters of recommendation or certificates, are not required at this point.
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.
The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and minorities.
Further information about the position can be obtained from vice-dean for research Jutta Jokiranta (jutta.jokiranta@helsinki.fi). Further information about the recruitment process can be obtained from HR Specialist Reeta Korhonen (hr-teoltdk(at)helsinki.fi).