Postdoctoral Researcher in Agricultural Economics / Applied microeconomics
The Department of Economics and Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in agricultural economics/applied microeconomics. The position is fixed term for three years with a six-month trial period.
The position is part of a new research project “Generational Change for Productive Structural Transformation in Agriculture.” The project is led by Professor Pia Nilsson and is based at the Agricultural Economics group in collaboration with similar projects situated in Sweden at the Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN) and Centre for Family Entrepreneurship and Ownership (CeFEO), Jönköping University. The position can start as soon as possible and ideally before May 2026.
The project studies how generational change in family-owned agricultural firms affects productivity, firm survival, investment behavior, and technology adoption. The analyses focus on capital and land constraints, ownership transfer mechanisms, inheritance taxes and the timing and form of generational change. This research is based on high-quality administrative register data covering all registered Finnish firms and legal farms.
The postdoctoral researcher will conduct econometric analyses using register-based firm-level data, contribute to the design and implementation of empirical research, prepare peer-reviewed journal articles aimed at publication in highly ranked peer reviewed journals. The successful candidate will benefit from a dynamic research environment and collaboration across agricultural and natural resource economics, entrepreneurship and applied industrial economics with ample opportunities for individual and collaborative research, acquisition of external research funds, and supervising MSc and PhD students.
- We seek candidates who have completed a PhD in economics or agricultural economics, who have solid training in econometrics and applied microeconomics and experience working with administrative firm-level data. The doctoral degree must be granted before the beginning of employment.
- The work requires independent thinking and problem-solving skills as well as working as a part of a team.
- The postdoctoral researcher is also expected to develop their own research agenda alongside project-related work and lead publications.
- Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English skills are required.
- The successful candidate is highly motivated to be present at the Viikki campus and will take an active role in the activities organized by the department and the research group. The position comes with some teaching responsibilities concentrated in the fall semester. This includes teaching parts of an intermediate level course in production economics and parts of a principles course in Agricultural Economics. The overall share of teaching is about 10-15%.
What we offer
The successful candidate will join an active and internationally oriented research environment within the Agricultural Economics group at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. The research group conducts high-quality research in agricultural and natural resource economics and applied microeconomics.
The position offers opportunities for developing an independent research agenda, publishing in leading international journals, and building international networks through collaboration with partner institutions in Finland and Sweden. The postdoctoral researcher will also have opportunities to contribute to the development of new research projects and external funding applications.
Terms of employment
The salary of the postdoctoral researcher will be based on level 5 of the requirement level chart for teaching and research personnel at the University of Helsinki. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The starting salary is typically around 3600–3800 euros per month depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.
The appointee is expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki. The workplace of the position is at the Viikki campus in Helsinki.
How to apply
Please submit your application as a single pdf file in English using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the “Apply now” button.
The application should include:
- A motivation letter (max. 2 pages) describing the candidate’s research background, methodological skills and research interests relevant for the position.
- A curriculum vitae including a list of publications.
- Contact details of two references.
Please submit your application using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the Apply Now button.
Applicants who have a helsinki.fi username and a valid employment contract, grant researcher’s contract or visiting researcher’s contract at the University of Helsinki are requested to submit their application using the Employee login.
The deadline for applications is 10.4.2026 at 23:59 (EET).
Further information
For further information about the position, please contact:
Professor Pia Nilsson, University of Helsinki, pia.nilsson@helsinki.fi
For questions related to the recruitment system, please contact HR Services via recruitment@helsinki.fi
More information about the research environment:
Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki
https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-agriculture-and-forestry
Viikki Campus
https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/campuses/viikki-campus
Careers at the University of Helsinki
https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers
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