[Commlist] Three Postdoc­toralre­searcherpo­s­i­tions in Urban Stud­ies - Helsinki U

https://www.helsinki.fi/en/open-positions/three-postdoctoral-researcher-positions-in-urban-studies

Three Postdoc­toral re­searcher po­s­i­tions in Urban Stud­ies

The University of Helsinki is the oldest and largest institution of 
academic education in Finland, an international scientific community of 
40,000 students and researchers. In international university rankings, 
the University of Helsinki typically ranks among the top 100. The 
University of Helsinki seeks solutions for global challenges and creates 
new ways of thinking for the best of humanity.

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Helsinki Institute of Urban and 
Regional Studies are seeking applications for

THREE POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS

in the areas of 1) urban inequality, 2) digitalisation of urban life and 
3) urban utopias, citizenship, and alternatives.

The postdoctoral researchers will be offered a contract for a two-year 
fixed-term period starting on April 1, 2020 (or as agreed).

WORKING AREAS

1) Urban inequality
The first open position is targeted at the study of urban inequality. 
The postdoctoral researcher is expected to focus in his/her research on 
problems of emerging and growing inequalities in urban regions. The 
research can cover topics such as inter-generational poverty, social 
mobility and mechanisms that generate or regenerate segregation or 
disadvantages or other related topics. S/he may also study alternative 
urbanisation or countermeasures against unwanted consequences of urban 
inequality.

2) Digitalisation of urban life
The second open position is focused on the effects of digitalisation in 
everyday social life and urban public spaces. In cities, the use of 
mobile gadgets, intensified surveillance and other ramifications of 
networked code-based technologies have become ubiquitous. Corporate 
actors and urban policy-makers tend to acclaim the democratic and 
equalizing aspects of the digital revolution. Looking beyond the 
monocausal hype via social and urban theory, the research to be 
conducted may relate to how digitalisation is reproducing social and 
urban divisions and influencing people’s behaviour and forms of presence 
in the public, besides the new forms of civic participation and flexible 
social organisation enabled by it. Ideally, both the empowering and 
disempowering aspects of the digitalisation of urban life should be 
brought under empirical and theoretical scrutiny by the appointed 
postdoctoral researcher.

3) Urban utopias, citizenship, and alternatives
The third open position is directed to the study of urban utopias and 
alternatives. Progressive utopias for a better future and popular calls 
for social rights, including the reactions to them by power-holders, 
have always constituted an integral part of urban dynamism. Under this 
broad definition, potential approaches include but are not restricted to 
emerging forms and weak signals of contemporary urbanism, 
out-of-the-mainstream development policies and regeneration solutions 
adopted or experimented by particular cities, alternative paths to the 
so-called creative city, grassroots politics and demands for the right 
to the city as a transformative force, and newer or tradition-based 
manifestations of the commons as an alternative to urban enclosures and 
social exclusion.

The goal of Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies is to 
enhance the understanding of the global urban challenge facing the 
Nordic Welfare States 
(https://www.helsinki.fi/en/helsinki-institute-of-urban-and-regional-studies). 
The postdoctoral researcher will benefit from a novel research 
environment that emphasises scientific rigor, collaboration with cities 
and the pursuit of excellence in science and teaching. The close 
co-operation between the University of Helsinki, Aalto University and 
the cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa will provide a unique working 
environment in the heart of a changing and developing capital region.

QUALIFICATIONS

An appointee to the position of postdoctoral researcher must hold a 
doctoral degree in a relevant field, have the ability to conduct 
independent scientific research and possess the teaching skills required 
for the position. The candidate should have the proven capability to 
publish in scientific journals and have excellent analytical and 
methodological skills. In addition, the candidate is expected to have 
good communication skills and the ability to work both independently and 
collaboratively in a multidisciplinary working community. The duties of 
the postdoctoral researcher include teaching (5% of the annual workload).

The chosen applicant is expected to reside in Finland while employed by 
the University of Helsinki. The Faculty of Social Sciences provides 
assistance in relocation. The working language will be English.

The position of postdoctoral researcher is typically held for three to 
five years after the completion of a doctoral degree. The aim of the 
position is to encourage the appointee to further their skills and gain 
more experience to prepare them for an academic career.

WHAT WE OFFER

We are an equal opportunity employer and offer an attractive and diverse 
workplace in an inspiring environment with a variety of development 
opportunities and benefits. The annual gross salary range will be 
approx. 41,000 – 50,000 euros, depending on the appointee’s 
qualifications and experience. In addition, University of Helsinki 
offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational 
health care and opportunities for professional development. Further 
information at 
https://www.helsinki.fi/en/university/working-at-the-university. The 
employment contract will include a probationary period of six months.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application as a single pdf file, which includes the 
following documents in English:
• Curriculum vitae, including teaching merits (max. 3 pages)
• List of publications (max. 2 pages)
• Research Plan or Letter of Research Interests (max. 3 pages), in which 
the applicant outlines how his/her expertise would contribute to the 
research area
• Summary (max. 2 pages) of the applicant’s scholarly activities, 
including original research at an international level, international 
academic networks, local co-operation, success in obtaining research funding
• Names and contact details of one or two referees

Please submit your application as a single pdf file using the University 
of Helsinki Recruitment System via the Apply link. Applicants who are 
employees of the University of Helsinki are requested to submit their 
application via the SAP HR portal, saphr.it.helsinki.fi. The deadline 
for applications is February 16, 2020.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information on the positions may be obtained from:

Professor Mari Vaattovaara, University of Helsinki, Urbaria 
(mari.vaattovaara(at)helsinki.fi, +358-504154861)
Coordinator Iiris Koivulehto, University of Helsinki, Urbaria 
(iiris.koivulehto(at)helsinki.fi, +358-405649886)

Due date

16.02.2020 23:59 EET


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