[Kaupunkitutkimus] Fwd: Open positions at Univ. Helsinki and Aalto University, Finland: Four postdoctoral urban studies researchers

[Sampo Ruoppila]

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*POSTDOC­TORAL RE­SEARCH­ERS, URBAN STUDIES *

*UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI/AALTO UNIVERSITY*



The University of Helsinki and Aalto University open four (4) positions for
postdoctoral researchers as part of a joint multidisciplinary collaboration
initiative coordinated by the Institute of Urban and Regional Studies at
the University of Helsinki. Applications are invited to both universities
and the applications will be evaluated by a joint selection committee. The
individual contracts with the University of Helsinki or Aalto University
will be made according to the research plan and interests of the applicants
and based on the academic affiliation of the main supervising professor.


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.



Aalto University is a community of bold thinkers where science and art meet
technology and business. Aalto University has six schools with nearly
20,000 students and 4,700 employees, 390 of which are professors. Our
campuses are located in Espoo and Helsinki, Finland.



Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies is seeking four talented
and highly motivated postdoctoral researchers in urban studies.  The goal
of the Institute is to enhance understanding of the global urban challenges
also facing the Nordic Welfare States. The postdoctoral researchers will
benefit from a novel research environment that emphasizes 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 Helsinki Capital Region are funding the
research positions and the appointees will be working in close interaction
with the cities.



Applications are invited for



*POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS* (4)



for a 2–3 year fixed-term period preferably starting from the 1st of April,
2018 onwards (or as agreed).



The expertise and research of the candidates should focus on one of these
areas:


a) *URBAN INEQUALITY*

b) *URBAN ECONOMICS/ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY WITH A FOCUS ON URBAN
COMPETITIVENESS*
c) *DIGITALIZATION AND URBAN LIFE*

d) *TOWARDS A CARBON-NEUTRAL CITY*



   1. *URBAN INEQUALITY*

The postdoctoral researcher is expected to focus in his/her research on the
challenge of emerging and growing inequalities in urban regions. The
research can cover topics such as generational poverty, social mobility,
mechanisms that generate or regenerate segregation or disadvantages,
countermeasures
against these processes or other related topics.



   1. *URBAN ECONOMICS/ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY WITH A FOCUS ON URBAN
   COMPETITIVNESS*

The postdoctoral researcher in Urban Economics/Economic Geography is
expected to focus in his/her research on the competiveness of cities and
city-regions with special focus on the Helsinki Capital Region. The
research can cover topics such as the role of the Helsinki Capital Region
in international networks, role of international experts in the growth of
businesses, urban ecosystems of business and trade, platform economy in
cities, spatial and mental preconditions for creating new value or other
related topics.



   1. *DIGITALIZATION AND URBAN LIFE*

The postdoctoral researcher is expected to focus in his/her research on the
opportunities and challenges of digitalization on urban development and
urban life. The research can cover topics such as the future of working
life and urban housing, production and use of digital services*,* education
and skills, 24/7 city development, meaningful life in the era of
digitalization or other related topics.



*        d)  TOWARDS A CARBON-NEUTRAL CITY*

The postdoctoral researcher is expected to focus in his/her research on how
cities in the Helsinki Capital region can achieve their goals of carbon
neutrality. The research can cover topics such as renewable energy and
energy-saving solutions, urban green spaces and their ecosystem services in
promoting carbon neutrality, analysis of the best international practices
in the processes towards a carbon-neutral city or other related topics.



The postdoctoral researchers to be appointed will have proven expertise in
one of the research areas presented above. The main duties will include
research in the respective fields. The posts 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 organizations. The appointee is also
expected to take a role in planning for new research projects to be
conducted at the University of Helsinki or Aalto University.



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 a 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 ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a
multidisciplinary working community, and in close collaboration with the
cities.



The postdoctoral researchers will play a key role in developing the
educational offerings of the Urban Studies & Planning programme.
Furthermore, they 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 candidates’ doctoral degree must have been granted by the awarding
institution prior to the date for the job interviews. Furthermore, the
doctoral degree is expected to have been granted no more than five years
prior to application (2013 or later). The five-year limit may be exceeded
only for particularly compelling reasons (for instance parental leave or
military service).



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 one of the
   specific research areas
   - Summary (max 2 pages) on 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 1 or 2 referees


If you are applying for more than one position, please indicate clearly
which positions you are applying for. In your Research Plan or Letter of
Research Interest please explain how your academic competences and field of
specialization contributes to the achievement of the aims stated in the
work description.



Please submit your application as a single pdf file using the University of
Helsinki Recruitment System via the Apply link. The deadline for
applications is 5 March 2018.



Further information on the positions may be obtained from:


Professor Jari Niemelä, University of Helsinki (jari.niemela(at)helsinki.fi
<jari.niemela at helsinki.fi>, +358-407408539 <+358%2040%207408539>)

Professor Mari Vaattovaara, University of Helsinki (
mari.vaattovaara(at)helsinki.fi <mari.vaattovaara at helsinki.fi>,
+358-504154861 <+358%2050%204154861>)

Professor Anssi Joutsiniemi, Aalto University (anssi.joutsiniemi(at)aalto.fi
<anssi.joutsiniemi at aalto.fi>, +358-405896223 <+358%2040%205896223>)

Professor Kauko Viitanen, Aalto University (kauko.viitanen(at)aalto.fi
<kauko.viitanen at aalto.fi>, +358 50 5603 873)