The University of Modern Sciences

The Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Helsinki invites applications for the position of DOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF HUMANITARIANISM for a fixed term period of four years, starting on 20 November 2026.  The position is part of the project New Humanitarian Infrastructures at the End of Aid, funded by the Research Council of Finland and led by Dr. Stefan Millar. The project examines transformations in humanitarian systems amid the global withdrawal of international aid, focusing on humanitarian contexts in Kenya and transnational diaspora networks in Canada. ABOUT THE PROJECT The New Humanitarian Infrastructures at the End of Aid project studies how humanitarian infrastructures are emerging, being remade or falling into ruination following the end of global commitment to international aid, exemplified by the withdrawal of USAID in 2025. The project aims to contribute to wider debates on the future of humanitarianism while working with refugees to expose and generate alternatives to contemporary humanitarianism. Rather than treating humanitarian infrastructures as exclusively institutional systems, the project conceptualizes them as assemblages of physio-technological systems and social relations of diverse actors, material arrangements, and transnational connections. Empirically, the project focuses on Kenya but is open to research being conducted in alternative humanitarian contexts. The project approaches these infrastructural transformations through four themes: State infrastructures: examines the expanding role of the state in humanitarian contexts, focusing on how state-led initiatives and programs are reshaping humanitarianism. Refugee-led infrastructures: explores how refugees generate alternatives to the top-down and neocolonial humanitarian system by organizing and creating infrastructures such as community-based organizations or mobilizing political movements that challenge current humanitarian operations. Transnational remittance infrastructures: analyzes how the financial and digital networks connecting diaspora communities across borders may serve as alternative forms of aid distribution.  Corporate infrastructures: investigates the growing role of private-sector actors and digital systems in humanitarian governance. This includes the incorporation of financial platforms and emerging technologies such as generative AI, which are increasingly used in humanitarian prediction and resource distribution. ABOUT THE POST We are looking for a doctoral researcher who will undertake a doctoral project within the framework of the wider research project. While we expect the research plan to align with the key themes of the research project, specifically those related to state, refugee and corporate infrastructures, applicants are encouraged to implement approaches to the topic relevant to their own expertise and scholarly interest. The main task of the appointed doctoral researcher is to conduct independent research in a selected humanitarian context in Kenya (or a relevant alternative site). Methodologically, the research project will be ethnographic, but the doctoral researcher is encouraged to engage with other methods, such as collaborative research. The appointee will play a key role in project implementation and will be expected to complete a PhD monograph or article-based PhD based on the empirical material produced, as well as participating in project communications, collaborating with partner organizations, organizing project events and other tasks relating to the project. Duties will also include teaching (up to 5% of annual working time). QUALIFICATIONS AND SELECTION CRITERIA Applicants must hold a master’s degree in social and cultural anthropology or another field relevant to the research topic (e.g. human geography, development studies, migration and refugee studies, sociology, public health, political science, peace and conflict research). The default assumption is that the master's degree requirement must be met by the beginning of the employment. They must have proven ability and motivation to pursue postgraduate studies and a doctoral degree according to the study plan and research proposal, evidenced by previous degree studies or other activities. The appointee will need to have secured the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki by the start of the appointment, or must apply for the right and obtain it within the six-month probationary period. Further information can be obtained online. Applicants’ skills and motivation to conduct research on this project will be evaluated on the basis of their application documents and an interview. The successful candidate will have excellent analytic and writing skills and will be able to conduct independent work. We strongly encourage candidates of refugee and/or East African background to apply. Experience of working, researching or living in a humanitarian context in Kenya or another country is extremely welcome and we encourage candidates to include such experiences in their application. We also appreciate language skills relevant for research project (e.g. Swahili, Arabic, Somali etc.). The appointee will be expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki. The International Services team will provide assistance with relocation. WHAT WE OFFER The University of Helsinki is an equal opportunities employer and offers an attractive and diverse workplace in an inspiring environment with a range of benefits. The annual gross salary will range from approximately €32,000 to €42,000 for the doctoral researcher depending on qualifications and experience. Standard Finnish pension benefits and occupational health care are provided for university employees. Further information can be obtained online. The employment contract will include a probationary period of six months. Finland is a member of the European Union, has high quality free schooling (also in English) and generous family benefits and healthcare. Finland was recently ranked as the best country in the world for expat families, and Helsinki in the world’s top ten most livable cities. Finland and the Helsinki region feature leading research and innovation facilities, clean environment, affordable accommodation, and excellent international, national, and local transport connections. For more information about working at the University of Helsinki and living in Finland, please see the website. HOW TO APPLY Please submit your application, together with the required attachments, through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the “Apply now” button below. Use your current email address to register with the Recruitment System. Internal applicants (i.e. current employees of the University of Helsinki) may submit applications using the “Employee Login” button. The closing date for applications is 24 July, 2026 (at 23:59 Helsinki time). Please include with your applications the following documents as pdf files: A letter of motivation describing your interest in, background and suitability for the project (max. 1 page). A research plan (max. 2 pages, including bibliography) A curriculum vitae Detailed information on the CV can be obtained online. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed (online) during the first and second week in August. FURTHER INFORMATION For queries regarding the position, please contact Dr. Stefan Millar, stefan.millar@helsinki.fi  For technical support with the recruitment system, please contact recruitment@helsinki.fi A diverse and equitable study and work culture is important to us. That is why we do our best to promote an inclusive university community. We encourage all qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for our positions. Click this link to read about accessibility and inclusivity at our University. JOIN US TO BUILD A BETTER WORLD – TOGETHER! #HelsinkiUniCareers

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 16 000 students and more than 5 000 employees, including more than 400 professors. Our campus is in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community. The School of Chemical Engineering is one of the six schools of Aalto University. It combines natural sciences and engineering in a unique way. We are now looking for a Postdoctoral researcher in the field of the Advanced Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of bio-based processes and products The postdoctoral researcher will work as expert in LCA for bio-based processes and products from wood and agriculture feedstocks for textiles and packaging applications supporting two large EU funded projects. The portfolio of projects under the Sustainable Bioproducts Innovation research group provides opportunity for supporting several high impact publications. Your responsibility and goals Conduct advanced research on LCA methodologies specific to bio-based products and processes. Develop and refine LCA models to assess the environmental impacts of bio-based products and systems using software tools such as OpenLCA. Analyze complex datasets to identify key areas for improvement in environmental sustainability performance. Build mentoring skills by helping and advising PhD researchers. Lead and write peer-reviewed articles for high impact journals. Participate in events, give expert talks, support in teaching and workshops. Network with scientists and industry to support your research as well as the development of new research proposals. Grant reporting, managing and monitoring. Work with researchers, and industry partners to gather data and align simulations with practical needs. The postdoctoral researcher will be helping the PI and experts in managing projects, supervising students, funding reporting, gathering data coming from literatures and the industry partners to assess the sustainability of proposed concepts. The position is available immediately. Your network, project and team The position is open in the Sustainable Bioproduct Innovations group headed by Prof. Luana Dessbesell, a highly multidisciplinary team seeking to support the development of truly sustainable bioproducts innovations. If you see yourself wondering what is and what isn't sustainable, please apply and join us. We are working with hard-science evidence to help speed up the development of solutions that can mitigate climate change. The research group is about 16 researchers. We care about each other and are people centered, and we believe that we can only deliver excellence if we are doing well. The Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems (Bio2), one of the three departments in the School of Chemical Engineering at Aalto University, has an internationally leading reputation in basic and applied research for the development of advanced materials from natural resources. It is one of the leading European research and higher education institutions in the field of sustainable chemistry and engineering based on the utilization of renewable resources. Bio2 aims to contribute to the development of novel solutions to move towards sustainable primary production and processing systems that can produce materials with fewer inputs, less environmental impact and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Within bioscience, the department has research in bioprocess technology, molecular biotechnology, enzyme technology, metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, biomolecular, and biohybrid materials. Other strengths of the department include sustainable materials and products based on lignocellulose, ranging from nanomaterials to novel cellulose-based textiles. Your experience and ambitions The candidate is expected to have: Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related field, with a focus on life cycle assessment and bio-based products and processes (completed within past five years). Experience in LCA of bio-based products or processes. Proficiency with LCA software tools. Proven experience with ex-ante or prospective LCAs. Ability to perform mass/energy balances bio-based processes. A solid track record of publishing research in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively. Effective communication skills for presenting complex information to academic and industry audiences. Nice to have: Process design skills, such as develop and validate and optimize Aspen simulations related to biobased processes with experimental data from lab/pilot-scale systems. Experience in performing LCAs in the forest and lied sectors. Experience with advanced LCA methodologies (e.g., consequential LCA, dynamic LCA, absolute sustainability assessments, planetary boundaries LCA). Evidence of working in interdisciplinary research projects and collaboration with diverse teams. What we offer The postdoctoral researcher position will be filled for two years. The expected starting salary of a postdoctoral researcher is approximately 4100-4300 EUR/month depending on experience. We work in Otaniemi, Espoo. Life on the revitalized campus is vibrant, featuring stunning architecture, tranquil nature, and a variety of cafes, restaurants, and services, all complemented by excellent public transportation connections. Ready to apply? If you want to join our community, please submit your application through our online recruitment system no later than 25.07.2026 using the link on Aalto University’s webpage (“Apply now”). If you are an Aalto employee, please apply via Workday system (internal jobs). The submissions will be checked as they arrive. To apply, please include the following documents in English and as a single pdf document (mandatory): Max. 1-page motivation letter specific to this project with description of previous relevant research experience CV, including a list of publications and the title and date of your doctoral thesis (max. 3 pages) and a list of references we may contact The position will be filled when a suitable candidate is found. Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos: This is Aalto University! Aalto University – Towards a better world and Shaping a Sustainable Future. Read more about working at Aalto https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto and check out our virtual campus experience: https://virtualtour.aalto.fi About Finland Finland is a great place for living with or without family – it is a safe, politically stable and well-organized Nordic society. Finland is consistently ranked high in quality of life and was listed again as the happiest country in the world: World Happiness Report For more information about living in Finland: Aalto Careers for International Staff. Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, to extend the application period, and to consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period. More about Aalto University: Aalto.fi youtube.com/user/aaltouniversity linkedin.com/school/aalto-university/ www.facebook.com/aaltouniversity instagram.com/aaltouniversity To view information about Workday Accessibility, please click here. Please see more of our Open Positions here.

The University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research.  We are ambitious and have a bold vision of what we want to achieve - shaping ourselves into one of the best universities in the world, which we are achieving through the talents and endeavour of every employee. Our culture empowers people to achieve this aim and to collectively, and individually, make a real difference. The role Applications are invited for a Research Fellow position to work in the Catalysis for Chemical Circularity Group in School of Engineering, University of Surrey. The main role of the post holder will be to carry out experimental based research on PET depolymerisation into monomer chemicals using mechanochemistry, developing research expertise and portfolios in this emerging field towards a circular plastic economy. This interdisciplinary project is in close collaboration with academics in University of Birmingham, Imperial College London and Queen's University of Belfast, and companies in the waste management and plastic production sectors. By participating in the stakeholder engagement, the post holder will gain great insight in the plastic chemical recycling field, and development their professional network and career growth. The main project objectives are: Design efficient nanoscale catalysts and robust mechanochemical process to recycle PET into monomer feedstocks. Benchmark different mechanochemical reaction systems for kinetics and parameter translation. Understand the depolymerisation mechanism using advanced characterisation for further catalyst discovery and process engineering. About you he successful candidate should hold or about to receive a PhD in Material Science, Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline. S/he should have a strong background in experimental catalyst design, characterisation and testing. Prior knowledge of mechanochemistry, polymer chemistry and physics, plastic chemical recycling is especially welcomed. Essential experiences, knowledge and skills include: Practical experience with experimental design, catalytic reactions, material characterisation and chemical product analysis Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature Skilled in characterisation and analysis techniques such as XRD, FTIR, TGA, Raman spectroscopy, chromatography, NMR, and mass spectroscopy Excellent verbal and written communication skills  Willingness to travel both within the United Kingdom and abroad to conduct research and attend conferences How to apply To apply for this role, please upload a CV and cover letter with your application on the University of Surrey website. For informal enquiries please contact Dr. Hui Luo (hui_luo@surrey.ac.uk). Further details Job Description