The Centre for Collaborative Research (CCR) at Turku School of Economics, University of Turku, invites applications for a fixed-term position of Senior Researcher for the period 1 May 2026 – 28 February 2028.
The Senior Researcher will work in the Funmersive research project, which studies scientifically grounded, fun-based service design solutions and related business opportunities, particularly in the creative industries.
Funded by Business Finland, the Funmersive project aims to examine how genuinely fun, playful, and gameful experiences enhance learning, well-being, customer experience, and long-term engagement, while supporting internationally competitive business. Led by the University of Turku, the project is carried out in collaboration with the University of Jyväskylä and five corporate partners. Implemented in close cooperation with companies, the project generates new knowledge about the mechanisms of fun and applies this knowledge to education, entertainment, well-being, and other customer-oriented services where motivation and meaningfulness are key success factors.
Job description
The Senior Researcher’s duties include conducting research on fun-driven service design in close collaboration with the Funmersive research team and corporate partners. In cooperation with consortium researchers and companies, you will design research-based interventions to examine fun-based solutions in terms of service effectiveness, customer engagement, and particularly their business potential.
The position involves the use of qualitative and participatory research methods (e.g., interviews, observation, workshops) and co-development activities with companies to study new service and marketing solutions. A central part of your role will be to investigate and analyze how the knowledge produced during the Funmersive project is adopted by partner companies and how the resulting operational models can be scaled more broadly for use by Finnish service businesses and society at large.
In addition, you will participate in project coordination, reporting, academic publishing, and the active dissemination of research results. You will contribute to scientific publications and conference presentations, as well as to the development of practical tools and recommendations for companies.
The position also includes applying for complementary research funding and developing research collaboration with both academic and corporate partners. All CCR staff members participate in the active development of the unit’s activities.
Who we are looking for
Qualifications:
A person selected for the post of senior researcher is required to have a doctoral degree suitable for the position and the ability to conduct independent scientific research. Evidence of academic research work is required. The qualification requirements for the positions are defined in the University of Turku Rules of Procedure.
We expect you to have:
- A track record of publishing international peer-reviewed research articles
- Experience and evidence of postdoctoral research work
- Expertise and experience in diverse research methods
- Interest in themes related to new technologies and the refinement and dissemination of knowledge
- Strong teamwork and independent working skills
- Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams and in collaboration with companies
- Good oral and written skills in Finnish and/or English
The following will be considered an advantage:
- Scientific publications and work experience in areas such as gamification, game and play research, innovation research, business renewal research, service design research, entrepreneurship research, and human-computer interaction
- Experience working in interdisciplinary research projects
- Experience in research projects involving corporate collaboration
- Experience working with or within companies
- Expertise in quantitative research methods
We value collegiality and promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We encourage all qualified applicants with different backgrounds to apply for our open positions.
