The HSSH Institute promotes and coordinates research cooperation and research infrastructure in the fields of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) at the University of Helsinki. The tasks of the institute include:

• To develop research infrastructures for social sciences and humanities
• To strengthen research collaboration in the social sciences and humanities in order to generate new multidisciplinary research projects
• To promote scientific and social impact of social sciences and humanities research nationally and internationally

HSSH is a joint unit of the Faculty of Arts, Educational Sciences, Law, Theology and Social Sciences, as well as the Swedish School of Social Sciences (SSKH), the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies (HCAS) and the Doctoral School in Humanities and Social Sciences (HYMY). HSSH was founded in 2020 (further information: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/helsinki-institute-for-social-sciences-and-hu...).

We are looking for experts in the evolving SSH research methods, as well as analysis and management of diverse research data, and invite applications for

FOUR UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS (STAFF SCIENTISTS)

The positions are fixed-term for 5 years starting from 1 August 2021 at the latest.

We are looking for 4 methodologically advanced researchers whose collective pool of expertise will deal with issues of acquisition, handling, analysis and management of data and development of research methodology in following areas.

1. Working with structured data sets in social sciences and humanities (e.g. register data banks, survey data, data collected in different system interfaces).
2. Working with big data text corpora and large multimodal data sets.
3. Working with data collected in experimental research settings (e.g. sensory data, eye-movement tracking, other measurements and multimodal materials).
4. Understanding the legal, ethical and social issues and solutions related to collection and use of data in contemporary social science and humanities contexts

We are looking for 4 university researcher level persons, whose capacities will complement each other to meet the challenges in these changing areas of SSH research, data management and methodology. The person we are searching has an excellent insight to one or several of these areas, with documented merits of successful research and methodological development work/innovation. The recruited university researchers will work at the Methodological and Technical Unit (MTU) with additional technical staff. The unit will work in close cooperation with other experts of data management, research infrastructures and IT-professionals at UH (e. g. University Library, IT-support).

We expect the university researchers to

• Have an excellent understanding of the state-of-art and the emerging trends in their respective areas of expertise,
• Liaison with researchers, research groups, and research centers inside UH as well as the national actors and institutions of research infrastructures
• Support and take part in project planning, grant writing and execution of research projects and develop methodological innovations and solutions with them,
• Conduct individual research and innovation,
• Provide methodological teaching for UH main campus doctoral training
• Mentor and lead a group of technical advisors.

QUALIFICATIONS

We expect applicants with an open mind towards multi- and interdisciplinary research and its methodological challenges, and a strong motivation to be part of a team working to enhance a new culture of using the opportunities of digital data resources and development of more effective research infrastructures. The university researchers will take part in methodological work in research projects with an eye on how project based innovations and solutions can be scaled to for the benefit of the broader SSH research community.

According to the Regulations of the University of Helsinki, a university researcher (staff scientist) must hold a doctoral degree and and have evidence of scientific research work as well as the teaching skills necessary for the position.

Applicants are also expected to

• document their capabilities on one of the methodological areas described above
• have experience on quantitative research methods or handling and management of digital data sets
• have experience on working in research groups
• good skills of cooperation and problem-solving
• have good skills in English, Finnish and Swedish. International applicants may be exempted from the requirement concerning Finnish and Swedish skills. International applicants are expected to commit to learning Finnish and/or Swedish.

In addition, the following will be considered an advantage

• experience on working in multidisciplinary research environments
• knowledge concerning ethical and legal aspects of data-management
• established networks with Finnish and/or international research infrastructure organizations

WHAT WE OFFER

We offer an exceptionally interesting task as a member of a newly established, development oriented methodological unit and a unique opportunity to cooperate with research teams affiliated with HSSH, national partners and the growing international network of the institute.

The monthly gross salary range will be approx. € 3700–5000 depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. The employment contract will include a probationary period of six months.

Your colleagues at the HSSH Institute, as well as the administrative and technical staff on the campus will support you in your role. The university takes care of your well-being by flexible work arrangements, comprehensive occupational health care and wide-ranging, low-cost UniSport services. Professional development is supported in different ways, i.e. by offering mentoring and versatile staff training. For further information, please see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the link Apply for job. Applicants who are employees of the University of Helsinki are requested to submit their application via the SAP HR portal. The deadline for applications is 15 April, 2021.

Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications the following documents as a single pdf file:

• A curriculum vitae
• A list of publications
• A report on the applicant’s scientific / research activities (max. 3 pages): Competence and experience relevant to the skills that the HSSH is looking for (described above), activity in the academic community and international research experience.

All attachments must be in English, and uploaded as a one pdf file.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information about the positions, please contact Director of HSSH Institute Risto Kunelius, risto.kunelius@helsinki.fi, +358401904085. For further information on the recruitment process, please contact HR Specialist Minna Maunula (minna.maunula@helsinki.fi) or Head of HR Hannamari Helander (hannamari.helander@helsinki.fi).

Due date

15.04.2021 23:59 EEST