Researcher (innovation/sustainability/development studies or related) / Tutkija (kestävän kehit

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. www.tuni.fi/en 

Research Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (TaSTI), Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland, is a research unit conducting multidisciplinary research on the activities and dynamics of research communities, innovation environments and science and innovation policies, among other topics. 

The Innovation studies group of TaSTI will recruit a Researcher for recently launched projects that are related to sustainability, innovation, and development studies. We are conducting some projects that focus on Southern Africa and sustainability transitions related to circular economy and renewable energy (CEM Namibia) and digitalization of education (DigiT Nam). Therefore, we wish to see applicants with interest in the global south, sustainable development and/or innovation for sustainability. 

Job description 

Researcher will be working in, besides own group, a versatile network of stakeholders representing African and Finnish governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, educational and research institutes, and private companies. The projects aim at combining academic interests and practical goals creating societal impacts by deploying participatory action research approach. This requires a Researcher who is capable and willing to collaborate in a multidisciplinary and multisectoral and -cultural environment. 

We expect that the Project Researcher will 

• collect data, analyze it and report the findings together with other project personnel; data may consist of both quantitative and qualitative material 

• assist in organizing various types of practical workshops that form one of the key measures in the projects to gather information and to generate impacts 

• assist in other research group’s activities in close collaboration with other group members, such as generating material for social and other media, drafting research proposals, et cetera. 

The chosen person has also a chance to prepare one’s own plan for doctoral studies as these projects provide a good source of empirical evidence that can be used in a doctoral thesis. However, this is not required during the project period. 

This post is seen as a good steppingstone either for the beginning of an academic career or for gaining good working experience for an internationally oriented career in a governmental or donor organization, funding agency or in consultancy. The Innovation studies group is keen on keeping a Researcher as its member after an initial funding period by searching for new project funding in continuation projects or otherwise, given there is a mutual willingness for this. 

Requirements 

A suitable candidate for this position has, at least, the following qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in the field of social sciences/administrative sciences/ economics/management and business studies/political sciences or related  

• Ability and motivation for independent work, as well as collaboration skills 

• Good command of either qualitative or quantitative research methods and can use relevant software related to these 

• Ability to travel and work periodically (usually 1-3 weeks at a time) in Southern Africa and has an interest in societal development in the global south  

• Good written and oral English language skill is required since the projects are international. The group’s working language is English. 

Initiative and social intelligence are highly appreciated. Core values of Tampere University include courage, critical thinking, openness, and responsibility. We wish the Researcher can also contribute to these values. 

We offer 

The position of the Researcher is an excellent chance of working in a highly committed small research group in a versatile, multisectoral/cultural/-disciplinary environment. This is a somewhat different research position where academic and practical interests intertwine, and where one will likely see also practical impacts of the work done. 

In practical terms,  

• the work period can begin immediately but the latest from Mid-March 2024, and it will last until the end of June 2024  

• A trial period applies to all our new employees 

• The salary will be based on both the job requirements and the employee’s personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System . According to the criteria applied to teaching and research staff, the position of a Researcher is placed on level 2-4 of the job requirements scale, depending on career stage. A typical starting salary for a Researcher is around 2600 eur/month 

• We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, yearly sports and cultural benefit, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities on campus and several restaurants and cafes on campus with staff discounts 

• Please read more about Working at Tampere Universities and Tampere University as an employer.

How to apply 

The closing date for applications is 22.2.2024 (at 23:59 EET/UTC +2). Please write your application and all accompanying documentation in English and attach them in PDF format. 

Please attach the following documents to your application: 

• Your CV with a list of publications 

• Authenticated copies of your degree certificate(s)  

• Authenticated copies of your English language skills test(s)

We will invite 3-5 candidates for a face-to-face/virtual interview after an initial selection round. After the interviews have been conducted, we will make a quick decision by the end of February, if possible. 

Additional information: Mika Kautonen, Research Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences; mika.kautonen@tuni.fi  

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Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat yhdessä Suomen toiseksi suurimman monitieteisen, innostavan ja vaikuttavan tutkimus- ja oppimisyhteisön. Korkeakouluyhteisömme osaamiskärjet ovat tekniikka, terveys ja yhteiskunta. Lue lisää: www.tuni.fi  

Tässä haettava tutkijan tehtävä liittyy hankkeisiin, joissa tutkitaan ja myös toimitaan yhdessä monenlaisten käytännön toimijoiden kanssa kestävien siirtymien edistämiseksi (esim. uusiutuva energia ja kiertotalous, koulutuksen digitalisoituminen). Tutkimusryhmä etsii tutkijaa, joka on kiinnostunut kestävän kehityksen siirtymistä ja näiden edellyttämien innovatiivisten ratkaisujen viemisestä käytäntöön.  

Hankkeissa toimitaan eteläisessä Afrikassa, joten työ sisältää myös matkustamista. Tehtävä edellyttää tutkijalta kykyä toimia monen tyyppisten toimijoiden kanssa monikulttuurisessa ja monitieteisessä ympäristössä.  

Hankkeiden kesto on lyhyt, mutta näille hankkeille haetaan kevään aikana jatkoa. Tutkijan on mahdollista halutessaan valmistella hankkeiden tuottaman materiaalin pohjalta myös väitöskirjaa.  

Hakuohjeet  

Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä, sen kelpoisuusvaatimuksista ja hakuohjeista yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta.  

Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta).  

Hakuaika tehtävään on 22.02.2024 klo 23.59 saakka. 

Osaamisalue: Tutkimus, kehitys & tuotekehitys