林业历史与帝国史方向博士研究员（科研助理，薪级2–3级）

We are inviting applications for two Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) positions at the Department of Geographical and Historical Studies, located on the Joensuu Campus of the University of Eastern Finland. The positions will begin on 1 January 2027. Read more below and submit your application no later than 15 November 2026. Position and salary   We are seeking two highly motivated Doctoral Researchers to join the Research Council of Finland -funded project ‘ Trees and the travels of knowledge: making modern (trans)imperial forestry from the margins, 1917–1939 ’ . The project examines the transnational interconnectedness of forestry research, seeking to explain how localised forestry practices were transformed into a global science in the interwar period. Using archival sources in multiple countries, the project analyses the role of forestry in entangling Nordic societies in global structures of imperial politics and environmental management, while also tracing the effects of those entanglements both at home and in multiple radically different environments around the world. While the project’s main focus is the global dissemination and applications of Finnish forestry, candidates may also suggest other Nordic case studies. The Doctoral Researchers will develop independent research projects within the framework of the larger project’s three research themes: 1) international encounters and research exchanges at Finnish/Nordic forestry stations; 2) the dissemination of Finnish/Nordic forestry knowhow and personnel to colonial contexts around the world; and 3) the development of multilateral international forestry organisations and the political goals of Finnish/Nordic participation in them. Candidates are encouraged to present original research ideas broadly relevant to any of these themes, although the eventual topic can also be decided in collaboration with the project leader. If the latter, possible topics include, but are not limited to, the development of Nordic forestry collaboration in the interwar period; the migration of Finnish foresters abroad for employment; or the political motivations behind the first three World Forestry Congresses. We are looking for candidates with a solid background in historical research, including independent primary research in archives, and preferably with a developed interest in environmental and/or global history. Motivated candidates with a personal interest in forest history or the role of forests in Nordic societies are especially encouraged to apply. Selected candidates will have the opportunity to gain international experience from research stays and archival visits in relevant institutions abroad, with collaborations provisionally agreed with the Greenhouse Center for Environmental Humanities at the University of Stavanger and the Centre for Transimperial History at Leipzig University. The full-time researcher positions will be filled as from 1 January 2027, or as agreed, for a fixed term of three years. The Doctoral Researchers are physically based at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies on the Joensuu Campus, except for periods of international mobility. A trial period will be applied to new members of the university staff. The position is filled for a fixed term due to the requirements of the Doctoral School. The salary of the position is based on the salary system for the teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. The salary consists of a job-related salary element and a personal salary element. In this position, the job-related salary element is based on level 2–3 of the job requirement level chart and the personal salary element is 6–50% of the job-related salary element. In the position of a Doctoral Researcher, the salary is determined based on the stage of doctoral research and doctoral studies, as well as on personal performance. At the beginning of the employment, the total salary will be approximately EUR 2,560–3,200/month. Our requirements   • You must be eligible for doctoral education, i.e., hold a suitable higher university degree or have a suitable foreign education qualifying for equivalent university studies in the country concerned. The required degree must have been completed no later than 15 November 2026, i.e., the closing date of the application period. • You must have good skills in the English language (written and spoken) and relevant further language skills to support the candidate’s research (e.g., Finnish or other Nordic languages). • The position can be filled by someone who is either planning to pursue or currently pursuing their first doctoral degree. Those selected for the position must then separately apply for the right to pursue postgraduate studies in the Doctoral Programme of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies at the University of Eastern Finland. The person to be appointed must have a valid right to pursue postgraduate studies at the UEF Department of Geographical and Historical Studies before starting the employment relationship. At the beginning of the employment, the job title will be “Project Researcher” and will change to “Doctoral Researcher” upon acceptance into the Faculty’s Doctoral Programme.

When filling the position, consideration will be given to • the applicant’s research ideas in the field of the project • earlier academic performance and achievements • international orientation • experience with independent archival research • the applicant’s motivation and ambition • language skills relevant to the project

What we can offer you   • an interesting position in an international, creative, participatory and engaging university community, • the opportunity for flexible multi-location work,  • the opportunity for international collaboration as part of a research team, • staff benefits of the University of Eastern Finland, including comprehensive occupational health care, versatile staff training opportunities, affordable campus restaurant lunches and Sykettä sports services. 

Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website.  Enjoy your life in Finland! Known for its cleanliness, welfare know-how, modern technology and superb education system, Finland is an exotic and safe country to work in. Please visit the  Life in Finland section on our website to learn more.    How to apply   Submit your application in Finnish or English by using our electronic application form no later than 15 November 2026 by 24:00 (midnight) Finnish time (UTC+2). For applicants who do not yet have the right to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Eastern Finland, the appointment to the Doctoral Researcher position will be conditional until they have been granted the right to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Eastern Finland. Please note that the application is required to have the following appendices:   • A CV ( Template for CV, TENK website ). Previous publications, if any, can be included in the CV. • A motivation letter of 1–2 pages, including research ideas connected to the position. • A copy of the diploma and transcript of academic records proving the applicant’s eligibility to pursue postgraduate studies. The documents must be in Finnish, Swedish or English. For translated documents, only a Diploma Supplement issued by the higher education institution in question and/or other official translations issued by the awarding higher education institution or an authorized translator are accepted. • Copies of certificates of language proficiency, if not indicated in the academic degree certificates/diplomas.

Questions?   For more information on the position, please contact Project Leader PhD Mikko Toivanen, mikko.toivanen@uef.fi. For more information on employment at the Department of Geographical and Historical Studies, please contact the Head of the Department of Geographical and Historical Studies Pieter Dhondt, pieter.dhondt@uef.fi For more information regarding the application process for the doctoral researcher position, please contact HR Specialist Airi Leppänen, airi.leppanen@uef.fi. For more information regarding the application for the right to pursue doctoral studies (including questions about language proficiency certificates and degree certificates), please contact info-yhkaphd@uef.fi.