Postdoctoral Researcher in Finnish Centre of Excellence - Tax Systems Research

The Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Helsinki invites applications for the position of     
    
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER in Finnish Centre of Excellence – Tax Systems Research
    
for a fixed term period for the duration of 1/9/2025-31/12/2026 or as agreed.

This position is part of the Finnish Centre of Excellence in Tax Systems Research (FIT), which is headed by Tampere University, with the VATT Institute for Economics Research and the University of Helsinki as partners.  The co-PI at the University of Helsinki is Professor Jukka Pirttilä.  The economics unit of the University of Helsinki is part of Helsinki GSE, an expanding and international economics research unit.

The Centre studies the effects and design of tax-benefit policy and regulation and focuses on providing new credible evidence on the determinants of optimal policy. The research topics of FIT include various themes such as: measuring the extent and determinants of income and wealth inequality; the role of taxation and related regulation in environmental and health policy; measuring the societal costs of taxation; analyzing the influence of the public sector on firm birth, growth, and productivity; and taxation and development. Our research utilizes empirical, experimental and theoretical methods, together with world-class administrative data on individuals and firms. Some of the work is done in collaboration with revenue authorities, also in African countries.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The main task of each appointed researcher is to conduct economics research in one of the above contexts. Working closely with the Principal Investigator, the post-doctoral fellow will play a key role in project implementation individually and jointly. In addition, postdoctoral researcher will actively contribute to teaching and administrative tasks in the discipline of Economics at the University of Helsinki (up to 5% of their working time annually), and assist in preparing new research proposals. It is possible to complete the teaching and administrative tasks through English. 

QUALIFICATIONS

An appointee to the position must hold a doctoral degree in economics. The default assumption is that the doctoral degree requirement must be met by the beginning of the employment. The period following the completion of doctoral degree must not exceed three years, excluding family leave and equivalent periods of absence. Applicants must have strong quantitative methods skills and an excellent command of written and spoken English.
 

WHAT WE OFFER  
 
University of Helsinki is an equal opportunity employer and offers an attractive and diverse workplace with a variety of development opportunities and benefits. The annual gross salary range will be approx. €45,000 – €49,000, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. Standard Finnish pension benefits and occupational health care are provided for university employees. Further information can be obtained online. The employment contract will include a probationary period of six months.
 
Finland is a member of the European Union, has high quality free schooling (also in English) and generous family benefits and healthcare. Finland was recently ranked as the best country in the world for expat families, and Helsinki in the world’s top ten most livable cities. Finland and the Helsinki region feature leading research and innovation facilities, clean environment, affordable accommodation, and excellent international, national, and local transport connections. For more information about working at  the University of Helsinki and living in Finland, please see the websites.

The chosen applicants are expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki. The Faculty of Social Sciences provides assistance in relocation.

HOW TO APPLY

The University of Helsinki is committed to promoting equality and preventing discrimination in all its operations. We welcome applicants from a variety of genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and minorities.
 
Please submit your application, together with the required attachments, through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the link "Apply now" (“Hae nyt”). Use your current email address to register to the Recruitment System. Only applicants who are currently employed by the University of Helsinki are requested to submit their application via the link “Employee login”. The closing date for applications is 4 August 2025.
 
Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications the following documents in English:
 
1) A curriculum vitae that includes all publications and the names 2) Two reference letters 3) A job-market paper or an equivalent research study 4) A research statement outlining the candidate’s research plans. 

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in the first half of August.
 
FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the positions and the research project may be obtained from jukka.pirttila(at)helsinki.fi.