Junior Researcher (PhD) in Sustainability Education in the Sustainable Naturecultures Research Community - Lapin yliopisto - Rovaniemi, Finland

We invite applications for a fully funded PhD position for three years focusing on sustainability education. The research activities in the sustainability research team support the strategic focus areas of the University of Lapland. In our research, sustainable naturecultures emphasises expertise in promoting the sustainability transition and the leverage effects that strengthen it through nature and sustainability education. The research community of sustainable naturecultures is an emerging topical research and teaching network of research teams from different faculties. The successful applicant will conduct doctoral studies answering the question of how naturecultural worldviews, practices and values can both shape the goals, means and indicators of the circular economy and generate alternative ways to promote the sustainability transition. The problem is that while the circular economy is seen as a key instrument of the sustainability transition, research has overlooked how naturecultural conceptions shape the sustainability competencies required by the circular economy and how these competencies can be empirically identified, measured and supported. The place of work would be at the faculty of education, where the candidate will be based full-time during the employment relationship. Your tasks - conducting doctoral research on a topic aligned with the topic of sustainable naturecultures - completing the studies and credits required for the doctoral degree - carrying out research living up to the highest ethical standards, including applying for a research ethics permit if required by the topic - committing to the guidance and activities by the research community - potential teaching in your field and/or other academic tasks (max. 5% of working hours). Your duties will include: - conducting doctoral research on a topic aligned with the topic of sustainable naturecultures - completing the studies and credits required for the doctoral degree - carrying out research living up to the highest ethical standards, including applying for a research ethics permit if required by the topic - committing to the guidance and activities by the research community - potential teaching in your field and/or other academic tasks (max. 5% of working hours). We offer - a clear and structured study framework within a multidisciplinary academic community, making it possible to complete a doctoral degree in 3 years - supervision by senior staff at the research community - high-level skills for careers in academia or other demanding educational, development and expert roles in society - an engaging research environment with opportunities for multidisciplinary research collaboration. We expect - a suitable masters degree in education or related disciplines - genuine research interest related to research on sustainability and the sustainability transformation; an interdisciplinary higher education degree of applied sustainability education with diverse methodological studies, such as AIassisted qualitative data analysis methods and statistical analysis and modelling, will be counted as a merit - proficiency in English; proficiency in Finnish or willingness to learn it is considered an asset - a collaborative, proactive, self-directed and responsible work ethic. These positions are intended for applicants who are starting their doctoral research. To be eligible, applicants must not currently hold a right to pursue a doctoral degree in any university in any country. Selected candidates are expected to apply for doctoral study rights during the University of Laplands application period in spring 2027 (216 February 2027). Required Application Documents The required documents should be submitted in English. If you have used generative AI in your documents, specify how it was utilised. The required documents are: - a doctoral research plan that follows the template (which can be found at [Application enclosures for Doctoral education - University of Lapland](https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fulapland.fi%2Fen%2Fstudy-with-us%2Fapply-for-doctoral-programmes%2Fapplication-enclosures-for-doctoral-education%2F&data=05%7C02%7Csanna.uutela%40ulapland.fi%7Cbd56f8c5c90340276d3f08dea6828d2a%7C4c60a66f0a8d446e9ac0836a00d84542%7C0%7C0%7C639131276791082569%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0u0WE6lagtRUkC28G8lXuUByycwrCCj4w0W%2By3Zefz8%3D&reserved=0)) och är max. 5 sidor (inklusive referenser men exklusive omslag och eventuella bilagor); om forskningen inkluderar en konstnärlig eller produktionsorienterad komponent, motivera dess betydelse - en en-sides sammanfattning av forskningsplanen, inklusive kontaktuppgifter (adress, telefonnummer, e-postadress) - ett en-sides motivationsbrev som inkluderar en handskriven deklaration om att all information i ansökningsdokumenten är korrekt och fullständig - ett akademiskt CV (använd TENK-mallen: https://tenk.fi/en/advice-and-materials/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae ), inklusive namn och kontaktuppgifter för två (2) referenser - kopior av tutkintotodistuksista - kopior av certifikat som visar språkkunskaper om dessa inte anges i tutkintotodistuksista. Further information on the position For inquiries about the position, please contact Professor Outi Rantala (questions about the content of the position) outi.rantala(at)ulapland.fi. If you have questions about the recruitment process, contact tutkijakoulu(at)ulapland.fi. Note: Due to the holiday season, email inquiries received in July will be answered in August. Workplace address: Yliopistonkatu 8, 96300 Rovaniemi, Finland Employment duration: 3 years full-time, starting on 1 January 2027 Probation period: 6 months Salary: The salary is based on the university salary system for teaching and research staff (demand level 2), with a starting salary of approximately €2,714/month. The task-specific component is €2,281.48/month, and a personal performance component of up to 50% may be added. The salary will increase when 50% and 75% of the dissertation have been completed. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an on-site or online interview at the end of August.{