The University of Helsinki has opened a position for a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Urban and Regional Studies. The University of Helsinki, founded in 1640, is one of the best multidisciplinary research universities in the world. The University of Helsinki is an international academic community of 40,000 students and staff members. It operates on four campuses in Helsinki and at 15 other locations.
Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/helsinki-institute-of-urban-and-regional-studies) is seeking a talented and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher in Urban Studies with a focus in Urban Ecological Research. The goal of the Institute is to enhance our understanding of global urban challenges facing Nordic Welfare States. 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. The cities of the Helsinki Capital Region are funding the research position, and the appointee will be working in close interaction with the cities.
The postdoctoral researcher is expected to focus his/her research on biodiversity and its loss in urban environments due to changes in ecological networks in the Helsinki Capital Region. The research will focus on invertebrate diversity in fragmented and isolated urban forests, both from the perspective of the contemporary landscape as well as the historical landscape. The response of biodiversity to urbanisation will be approached from both the community, intraspecific and functional trait response levels.
The position is placed in the Urban Ecosystems research group at the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences. The postdoctoral researcher will be offered a contract for a three year fixed-term period starting from the 1st of December 2022 onwards (or as agreed).
The postdoctoral researcher to be appointed will have proven expertise in urban ecological research. The main duties will include research in the respective field. The post will require scholarly publishing, teaching in the Master’s Programme in Urban Studies & Planning (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/programmes/master/urban-studies-planning) and interaction with the funding city organisations. The appointee is also expected to take a role in planning for new research projects to be conducted at the University of Helsinki.
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 and in close collaboration with the cities.
The postdoctoral researcher will play a key role in developing the educational offerings of the Urban Studies & Planning programme. Furthermore, he/she will
- Contribute to programme delivery and continuous course and programme improvement
- Develop or identify urban studies-related content and materials for courses
- Develop, implement, and support extracurricular activities, including symposia and seminars
The salary will be based on the job requirement scheme for teaching and research staff in the salary system of Finnish universities.
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 two referees
(https://jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki/754448902/?feedId=350602&utm_source=CareerSite_UniversityOfHelsinki).
Further information on the position may be obtained from:
Docent Johan Kotze, University of Helsinki (johan.kotze@helsinki.fi, +358503160576)
Professor Heikki Setälä, University of Helsinki (heikki.setala@helsinki.fi, +35850 5408094)
Professor Mari Vaattovaara, Director Institute of Urban and Regional Studies, University of Helsinki (mari.vaattovaara@helsinki.fi, +358-504154861)
