Doctoral- or postdoctoral researcher in legal history

The Faculty of Law invites applications for a fixed term employment as a doctoral researcher or a postdoctoral researcher initially from 1.2.2025 to 30.8.2026 (in the case of a doctoral researcher) or from 1.2.2025 to 31.1.2026 (in the case of a postdoctoral researcher). The position is associated with the project Comparing Early Modern Colonial Laws (CoCoLaw), led by Academy Professor Heikki Pihlajamäki and funded by the Strategic Research Council of Finland.

The doctoral / postdoctoral researcher will work with Professor Pihlajamäki and the project’s researchers to develop their own research in relation to the project theme within early modern colonial legal history. Read more about the project on our web page. The work will include:

• in the case of a postdoctoral researcher, developing single-authored peer-reviewed journal article(s);

• in the case of a doctoral researcher, developing the doctoral dissertation;

• co-authoring and/or editing academic work with the project PI and collaborators;

• organizing and participating in international workshops and conferences;

• teaching/co-teaching; and

• contributing to the research community within the Faculty of Law.

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.

According to the Regulations of the University of Helsinki, an appointee to the position of postdoctoral researcher shall hold a doctoral degree and have the ability to conduct independent scholarly work as well as the teaching skills necessary for the position. Other requirements include a research proposal, and ability and motivation, as demonstrated in previous research and otherwise.

To fulfil the research requirements of the position, the applicant chosen is expected to live in the Helsinki area, be physically present at the University on a regular basis and participate actively in the research and teaching activities of the research project. (Doctoral researchers) and postdoctoral researchers have a teaching load of (5% -) 10% of their annual working time, corresponding roughly with one or two courses of 20 hours contact teaching.

When assessing applicants’ qualifications, we will particularly consider:

• ability to work and develop research ideas both independently and collaboratively;

• background knowledge of and previous experience of research related to comparative legal history and colonial law;

• familiarity with theories or academic work relevant to the project;

• in the case of postdoctoral applicants: previous publications; and

• English language skills, while Finnish and Swedish are considered an asset.

What we offer

The salary for the position will be based on levels 2-4 (doctoral researchers) or level 5 (postdoctoral researcher) 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 - 38,500 (doctoral researchers) or €42,000 - €46,000 (postdoctoral researchers). There will be a six-month trial period for the position.

How to apply

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

• a curriculum vitae;

• a numbered list of publications, on which the applicant has marked in bold her or his two key publications to be considered during the review (please do not send copies of the publications themselves);

• a research plan not exceeding two pages including a statement outlining how the research fits the profile of the project (objectives, methodological and theoretical stance, deliverables with a publication plan); and

• contact information and recommendation from one referee.

• If applying for a position of doctoral student, add certificate of language skills (English, Finnish or Swedish)

Further information about academic portfolios is available on our website.

Other attachments 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 Professor Heikki Pihlajamäki (heikki.pihlajamaki(at)helsinki.fi). Further information about the recruitment process can be obtained from HR Coordinator Mella Mattila (hr-oiktdk(at)helsinki.fi).

The Faculty of Law at the University of Helsinki is the leading Finnish institute of legal education. Some of the degrees awarded by the Faculty are completed at its bilingual Vaasa Unit of Legal Studies. The Faculty's mission is to train qualified, ethically resposible legal professionals for both the Finnish and international markets through research of an international standard and research-based teaching. The Faculty offers undergraduate degrees in Finnish, Swedish and English as well as a bilingual degree in Swedish and Finnish.The Faculty has a teaching and research staff of around 120 people and 2,400 undergraduate and postgraduate students.