Postdoctoral Researcher in Exploring cross-sectoral, nature inclusive governance

The University of Helsinki, founded in 1640, is one of the world’s leading universities for multidisciplinary research. The university has an international academic community of 40,000 students and staff members. The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development. The International Staff Services office assists employees from abroad with their transition to work and life in Finland.

The Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme (ECOENV), under the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, invites applications for a position as Postdoctoral Researcher in Exploring cross-sectoral, nature inclusive governance.

Interested in doing a postdoc on giving voice to nature in governance processes and rethinking our relation to other species? Fragmented governmental institutions (e.g., strategic efforts within separate ministries) and disconnected practices make realising ambitions of equitable and inclusive co-governance and co-creation difficult. Even more so if we look to non-human interests. With Finland as our primary focus, we will explore and develop cross-sectoral governance modes and methods along with actor strategies for bringing in multi-species rights and voices as a potentially transformative element.

Starting date for this position is in January 2024, or as agreed with the candidate. This fully funded position is for 2 years, with a possibility for an extension. There will be a trial period of six months in the beginning.

The successful candidate will be embedded in a larger, international Academy of Finland-funded initiative, “Enabling multispecies transitions of cities and regions (MUST)”. MUST seeks to take account of just and green transition pathways for promoting both social and ecological resilience. Our inter- and trans-disciplinary approaches focus on NBS planning and governance in Turku, Tampere and Lappeenranta cities and regions, with global spotlights of Cardiff, Wales and Tangerang, Indonesia. The successful candidate will work in Professor Erik Andersson’s lab. They will also work in close collaboration with Demos Helsinki, an independent think tank specializing in direct engagement and effecting transformative change.

Tasks: Establish a baseline understanding of strategic, tactical and operational biodiversity plans of ministries and businesses across Finland, with Wales for benchmarking. Building on this baseline, the next step will be to interview different practitioners who, in different senses, represent nature and work with our relations to it. We want to understand different approaches for giving voice to nature and ways for uptake of multispecies perspectives in biodiversity plans and/or other vehicles for decision making. Third and finally, we will weave these individual understandings and ideas into a facilitated learning processes with cities, companies, NGOs and researchers focusing on exploring new ways of supporting long-term, dynamic multispecies relations, operationalised in terms of governance processes.

Requirements:
* PhD in organization studies, political science, human geography, spatial/regional planning or natural resources management (or the equivalent).
* Familiarity with document analysis and interviews.
* Good understanding of Finnish (CEFR B2 or higher)
* Documented experience and skill with writing and publishing academic articles.

Meriting:
* Experience of interdisciplinary work
* Experience in interpretive analysis, constructivist
* Experience of working together with non-academic partners

What we offer:
* A position at a leading university that generates knowledge and skills for a sustainable future

* Engaged and ambitious colleagues along with a creative, international and dynamic working environment
* Mentorship and support in networking through the project leader and his networks.
* Access to University of Helsinki’s resources, academic environment, infrastructure, international universities, and platforms for collaborating with leading non-academic actors.
Work in Helsinki, near nature and opportunities for outdoors recreation.

Salary and how to apply for the position:
The salary of the successful candidate for the postdoctoral researcher will be based on level 5 of the demands level chart 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 starting salary will be ca. 3500–3800 euros/month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.

The application must include, in a single file (pdf):
* CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
* Copy of diplomas and grades from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents have not been issued in any of these languages.
* Brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Max two pages long.

The application might also include 1-2 letters of recommendation.

Please submit your application using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the link Apply for the position. Applicants who are employees of the University of Helsinki are requested to leave their application by using the employee login.

The deadline for submitting the application is 12th November 2023.

For more information, contact by email: erik.andersson(at)helsinki.fi

If you need support with the recruitment system, please contact HR Specialist Harri Hamara (harri.hamara(at)helsinki.fi).