Postdoctoral researcher in Law - just transition in the Arctic

The Faculty of Law invites applications for two fixed term employment contracts for postdoctoral researchers initially from 1.1.2025 to 30.9.2026, with an option to continue the contract by one additional year in line with the continuation of the project to the second phase. The positions are 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 postdoctoral researchers will work with Assistant Professor Dorothée Cambou 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 and 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
• public outreach activities
• teaching/co-teaching and supervision of undergraduate students
• 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 postdoctoral researcher shall hold a relevant doctoral degree and have the ability to conduct independent scholarly work as well as the teaching skills necessary for the position. PhD diploma is to be acquired by the first day of employment. The working language of the project is English. The period following the completion of doctoral degree must not exceed five years, excluding family leave and equivalent periods of absence.

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. Postdoctoral researchers have a teaching load of about 10%, corresponding roughly with a course of 40 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 in research related to Law, Human Rights, Indigenous Studies, Animal Law, Business and Human Rights, Socio-Legal 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 level 5 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 €42,000 - €46,000. 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 including 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).

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. It scrutinizes whose needs, perspectives, and rights are acknowledged in the transition. Through critical socio-legal analysis and case studies focusing on the marginalized, dispossessed, and misrecognized groups in the Arctic's ‘green’ transition, particularly within the forestry, mining, and wind energy sectors, attention is for example given to the impacts on Sami Indigenous communities, women, more than human groups, and the broader natural environment. The research aims to uncover the regulatory frameworks, policy strategies, and business practices shaping these economic sectors and to uncover the potential inadequacies and insufficiency within the current governance structures aimed at fostering an inclusive and equitable transition. The methodology of the entire project involves co-production with local stakeholders through workshops and semi-structured interviews across the case studies, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved.

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