Two Project Researchers - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Two Project Researcher positions are open for applications. The positions will be hosted by the Center for Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Law (CCEEL) based at the UEF Law School and the UEF Law School on the Joensuu campus and will start on 1 January 2024, or as agreed. Please find more information below, and submit your application by 30 November 2023. 

Role and salary 

Two Project Researcher positions will be filled in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, which will be hosted by the Center for Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Law (CCEEL) based at the UEF Law School. CCEEL is an internationally recognised centre for climate, energy and environmental law research, which employs roughly 80 researchers. 

Researchers will work as part of the Resilience of complex legal systems in sustainability transformation (RELIEF) project funded by the Strategic Research Council of Finland. The project examines, through interdisciplinary research, the role and impact of legal systems on just sustainability transformation. Sustainability transformation refers, in particular, to the reaching of ambitious climate, biodiversity and environmental status goals during the 2020s, but in such a way that the key values of the legal system – and, subsequently, social justice – are safeguarded. Such values include democratic decision-making, the division of powers between different public and private actors in society, and competitive markets. Research within the project is closely linked to legislative and strategic projects prepared by state administration, as well as to updating the strategies of pioneering companies and communities. The project seeks to clarify the operating conditions of public authorities and private actors in sustainability transformation and produces a new approach to assessing the role and impact of legal regulation and the various actors.

The duties of both Project Researchers include: 
•    conducting legal research on the themes of the project; however, the focus of research can be specified based on the candidate’s experience and research interests;
•    participating in the key missions, publishing activities and stakeholder work within the project; 
•    preparing a research proposal and, based on it, apply for a doctoral student position in the Doctoral Programme in Law, if the candidate does not yet have a right to pursue doctoral studies.

Post 1: The Project Researcher will conduct research related to the theme of the project and will focus, in particular, on the general conditions of the legal system, such as compliance with the rule of law criteria in sustainability transformation. An interest in the themes of environmental or sustainability law are considered merits, but the applicant's background may also be in public law (e.g., constitutional law) or private law (e.g., company law or commercial law). Proficiency in the Finnish language is not necessary for the post, but applicants who are able to work in both Finnish and English will be given priority.

Post 2: The Project Researcher will conduct research related to the theme of the project and will focus, in particular, on energy law and the regulation of energy transition. Proficiency in the Finnish language is not necessary for the post, but applicants who are able to work in both Finnish and English will be given priority. 

The positions will be filled for the period 1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024, or as agreed. If the applicant is granted the right to pursue doctoral studies, it is possible to extend the fixed-term position to cover the duration of the project. The position is filled for a fixed term due to it being a fixed-term project position. A probationary period is applied to new members of the staff.

The salary of the post is based on the salary system for the teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. The salary consists of a job-related salary element and a personal salary element. In these positions, the job-related salary element is based on level 2–4 of the job requirement level chart (EUR 2,182.19–2,720,86) and the personal salary element is 6–50% of the job-related salary element. 

We expect you to

•    have a background in law
•    hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field  
•    be fluent in English
•    have an independent and productive approach to working
•    be interested in developing your skills in conducting legal research

The following will be considered an advantage: 

•    previous research: scientific publications, working as a researcher, acquired funding 
•    success in previous studies
•    experience of project work
•    proficiency in Finnish

We offer you  

•    an interesting position in an international, creative, participatory and inclusive university community, 
•    the opportunity for flexible multilocation work, 
•    the opportunity for international collaboration as part of a research team,
•    the staff benefits of the University of Eastern Finland, including comprehensive occupational health care, extensive provision of staff training, affordable lunch in our campus restaurants, and Sykettä sports services. 

Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website. 

Enjoy your life in Finland! Known for its cleanliness, welfare know-how, modern technology and superb education system, Finland is an exciting and safe country to work in. Please visit the  Life in Finland section on our website to learn more

How to apply  

The application needs to be submitted no later than 30 November 2023 by using the electronic application form by 24:00 (midnight) Finnish time (UTC+2).

Please note that the application is required to contain the following appendices: 

•    a free-form application containing a presentation of the applicant’s research interests and orientation as well as previous research merits (up to three pages)
•    a CV (http://www.tenk.fi/en/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae)  
•    a list of publications (https://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply-for-funding/az-index-of-application-guidelines2/list-of-publications/) 
•    copies of academic certificates/diplomas and of certificates/diplomas relating to the applicant’s language proficiency, if not indicated in the academic degree certificates/diplomas  
•    other documents with which you wish to demonstrate your merits for the position 

Questions? 

For more information on the Project Researcher positions, please contact Professor Niko Soininen, tel. +358 50 437 6342, niko.soininen@uef.fi and Associate Professor Kaisa Huhta, tel. +358 50 59472 71, kaisa.huhta@uef.fi.

For more information on how to apply and on the application process, please contact Human Resources Coordinator Airi Leppänen, tel. +358 29 445 5171, airi.leppanen@uef.fi.