Doctoral researcher in Law - just transition in the Arctic

The Faculty of Law invites applications for a fixed term employment as a doctoral researcher initially from 1.1.2025 to 30.9.2026, with an option to continue the contract by two and a half (2,5) years in line with the continuation of the project to the second phase. The position is associated with the consortium project REBOUND: Reconceptualizing Boundaries Together Towards Resilient and Just Arctic Future(s). At the University of Helsinki, the project is led by Dorothée Cambou and funded by the Strategic Research Council of Finland.

The doctoral researcher will work with Assistant Professor Dorothée Cambou, two post-doctoral researchers and the project’s collaborators to develop their own research in relation to the project theme. This work will include:

• Developing single-authored peer-reviewed journal articles as a foundation for a PhD thesis
• co-authoring and/or editing academic work with the project PI and collaborators
• research within law, political sciences, and other relevant disciplines
• organizing and participating in international conference panels
• participating in the organization of workshops and a seminar/conference related to the Arctic and Just Transition
• teaching/co-teaching
• 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.

To fulfil the research requirements of the position, the applicant chosen is expected to live in Helsinki, be physically present on a regular basis and participate actively in the research and teaching activities of the research project. Doctoral researchers have a teaching load of 5%, corresponding roughly with a course of 20 hours contact teaching.

In evaluating applications, we will particularly consider:

• ability to work and develop research ideas both independently and collaboratively
• background knowledge of and experience of research related to Law, Business and Human rights, Socio-Legal and Indigenous Studies, Critical Legal Studies
• familiarity with theories or academic work relevant to the project
• interest in (and experience of) public engagement
• 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 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. 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 (max 2 pages)
• 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)
• Contact information and recommendation from one referee.

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 Assistant professor Dorothée Cambou (dorothee.cambou(at)helsinki.fi). Further information about the recruitment process can be obtained from HR Specialist Rosa Beckmann (rosa.beckmann(at)helsinki.fi).

Get to know us better

The project focus on the study of the green transition in the Finnish Arctic and delves into the multifaceted concept of 'justice' across various stakeholders, examining perceptions of risks, benefits, and the distribution of 'harms.' It scrutinizes whose needs, perspectives, and rights are acknowledged in the transition. Through critical socio-legal analysis and case studies, the doctoral researcher will specifically investigate how business entities fulfil their responsibilities concerning the rights of indigenous peoples and other marginalized or misrecognized groups relevant to the project. The methodology employed also encompasses sociological studies and knowledge co-production with local stakeholders through workshops and semi-structured interviews across the case studies.

Read more about the Faculty of Law on our web pages.