Are you interested in the politics of the green transition? LUT University's Department of Social Sciences is seeking a doctoral researcher to join the GREENSHUFFLE project funded by the Research Council of Finland. This fully funded, four-year doctoral researcher position examines the political consequences of unequal occupational recognition during the green transition using a mixed-methods research design.

What your work will be like

In this position, you will examine how society values different occupations during the green transition — that is, occupational recognition — and whether such recognition contributes to political divisions in attitudes towards the green transition. Through your research, you will be expected to contribute to ongoing debates on the politics of the green transition and on broader political behaviour in advanced democracies.

Your work will centre on completing an article-based doctoral dissertation in English within four years. At LUT University, such dissertations typically consist of three articles. You will also contribute to the Research Council of Finland-funded GREENSHUFFLE project by carrying out both research and project administration tasks.

Key research tasks include:

• conducting and analysing individual-level interviews in Finnish in nine municipalities in South Karelia, Finland;
• co-designing and analysing an original individual-level survey to be fielded in Finland;
• contributing to international scientific publications and policy briefs;
• presenting findings at conferences and team meetings.

Project administration duties include maintaining the project’s public presence, such as its website, mailing lists, and social media channels, and organising outreach events.

The role will also involve teaching in bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes at the Department of Social Sciences. You will work within the Social Sustainability and Welfare Policies research group and collaborate with colleagues at the department working on the just transition. Your supervisor will be Associate Professor Zhen Im, and you will work closely with Assistant Professor Pauliina Patana at Georgetown University, USA. The position offers opportunities to attend international conferences and summer schools.

You are required to apply to the LUT Doctoral School within the first two months of the appointment for the right to complete doctoral studies.

What we expect from you

You have a master’s degree in social sciences, preferably in political science, sociology, psychology, or a closely related field.

The position requires a strong commitment to completing the doctoral degree within the normative four-year duration of the studies. Due to the funding requirements of the Research Council of Finland, applicants must have sufficient proficiency in Finnish. Excellent written and spoken English skills are also required.

Previous experience in conducting and analysing individual-level interviews is considered a strong advantage. A willingness to work with quantitative research methods or to develop skills in their use is highly valued.

Strong academic writing skills and motivation to contribute to scientific publications during the doctoral studies are expected. While prior publications are not required, they will be considered an advantage. Candidates should also demonstrate strong organisational skills and a commitment to ethical research practices. Experience with social media management and website design is considered an asset.

What we offer

The position is based at the Department of Social Sciences at LUT University’s Lappeenranta campus in Finland.

Established in 2022, the department is a dynamic and growing academic community whose research focuses on the social dimensions of global sustainability challenges. In line with LUT University’s strategic emphasis on the green transition, business, and society, the department examines how societal processes and human behaviour shape sustainable futures.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to develop an academic career in an internationally relevant and rapidly evolving field of research. The successful candidate will work at the intersection of sustainability, society, and politics, contributing to research that addresses pressing global challenges. The doctoral researcher will benefit from close supervision, a collaborative research environment, and opportunities to engage with a wider research network.

The position will start with a one-year term (including a six-month trial period) and may be extended by up to three years, depending on the progress of the candidate’s studies and research. 

The starting date is 2 January 2027. The job is based in Lappeenranta. Hybrid work arrangements are possible, although regular on-site presence is required. 

The hours are flexible, supporting work–life balance. In accordance with the collective agreement for Finnish universities, the position follows a system of 1,612 annual working hours. 

The salary is based on the Finnish university pay system’s scale for teaching and research staff (requirement level 2). The starting salary is approximately EUR 3,100 per month, depending on experience and qualifications.

Interested? Please submit your application through the link below by 4 October 2026 at 23:59 (Finnish local time, UTC+2). Apply by filling out the online form and attaching the following documents in English or Finnish and in PDF format:

• A motivation letter outlining how your research interests align with the expectations for the position (maximum 2 pages)
• A curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages)
• A copy of your degree certificate. If the original documents are not in English, Finnish, or Swedish, each document must be accompanied by an officially certified translation into English or Finnish
• Your master’s thesis or another significant piece of research work
• A research proposal outlining your article-based doctoral dissertation project. The proposal should include a relevant literature review, the overarching research question of the dissertation, the research question for each article, the methodology for each article, and a work plan with a timeline (maximum 4 pages, including bibliographic references)
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Contact details for two references

We will review applications on a rolling basis. Only applications submitted through the recruitment system will be considered.

For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Zhen Im (zhen.im@lut.fi).

Further information about the Research Council of Finland-funded GREENSHUFFLE project is available in the project’s public summary.

Read more about LUT as an employer and the LUT Doctoral School.   

Explore information for international staff.      

LUT University | LUT University seeks solutions to global issues with its expertise in technology, business, and social sciences. LUT is a trailblazer in promoting the energy transition and the regenerative use of natural resources and helps build resilient communities, industry, and businesses through data, research, and education. LUT's campuses are in Lappeenranta and Lahti, Finland, but its impact is global. Lut.fi/en

Technical support for using the recruitment system: recruitment@lut.fi.

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