The LUT Department of Social Sciences is looking for a junior (doctoral) researcher in global communications and climate change. The project focuses on climate activist networks.
Are you interested in becoming part of the emerging communication sciences team at LUT University? Are you passionate about climate change communication? If you are aiming to conduct top international research and to become a highly valued expert with a doctoral degree in your field, you might be just the person we are looking for.
Description of the position
You will be working on the LUT-funded research theme on climate change activism at the social sciences department. The research theme focuses on climate activism that takes place in communication networks in the media, social media, and international social networks between activist groups worldwide, such as Extinction Rebellion and more established environmental organizations such as Greenpeace. Climate change activism is a relatively new societal phenomenon that calls for further investigation.
What we expect
You must have a university master's degree (preferably Master of Social Sciences or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g., communication sciences or other relevant social sciences, such as sociology, political sciences, or science and technology studies), the ability to complete the doctoral studies within the normative duration of the studies for the degree, and a right to complete doctoral studies at LUT University.
To achieve the objectives of your work, you must be able to apply social sciences theories to empirical research, know the basic data collection methods in social sciences (e.g., interviews and surveys), and have basic skills in statistical analysis. During the project, you will receive training in the use of network analysis methods.
Junior researchers must submit an application for the right to complete doctoral studies, including all required appendices, to the LUT Doctoral School within the first two months of the employment relationship.
What we offer
In addition to a competitive salary, the wide range of benefits that come with the job include a holiday bonus, generous annual leave, a research incentive scheme with personal rewards for high-quality publications, flexible working hours, occupational health care, a collegial working environment, and continued commitment to your support, learning, training, and development.
Employment relationship and pay
The employment relationship will start in the spring 2025 with a fixed one-year term including a six-month trial period. The contract can be extended by three years, provided that the studies and research have progressed satisfactorily in the first year.
The position is located at the LUT School of Engineering Sciences, Department of Social Sciences in Lappeenranta, Finland. The salary is based on the current collective agreement for Finnish universities. The typical gross annual starting salary for a junior researcher is approximately 32 500 euros.
Applications
The deadline for applications is 20 January 2025 at midnight, Finnish local time (UTC + 2h).
Please fill out the online application form and attach the following documents in English and in PDF format:
- Motivation letter (500-1000 words)
- Curriculum vitae
- Scanned copies of your original bachelor's and master's degree certificates and transcripts of records; if the original documents are not in English or Finnish, each document must be accompanied by an official certified translation into English (or Finnish), and if the degree is still unfinished, provide an official estimate of your graduation date from your supervisor or school
Further information on this position: Dr Iina Hellsten, associate professor of global communications and climate change, email: ([email protected]).
Read more about LUT as an employer and the LUT Doctoral School.
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LUT University | Clean energy, water and air are life-giving resources for which we at LUT University seek new solutions with our expertise in technology, business and social sciences. We help society and businesses in their sustainable renewal. Our international community consists of over 9,000 members. Our campuses are in Lappeenranta and Lahti, Finland. We are one of the world's top universities for climate action. lut.fi/en
Application period starts: 2024-12-12 08:00Application period ends: 2025-01-20 23:59