Senior researcher, project Enhancing metacognition, agency and resilience in AI-mediated work

The Department of Philosophy, Contemporary History and Political Science at the University of Turku invites applications for a temporary position for a Senior Researcher or from 1 February 2026 to 30 September 2028. The employment will begin on 1 February or as soon as possible thereafter (negotiable). The postholder will be primarily affiliated with UTU Philosophy, and will substantially interact with colleagues at the Centre for Collaborative Research at the Turku School of Economics. The position is comparable to a postdoctoral position in the UK/US system.

The position is connected to a subproject within the Transform-AI research consortium: “Enhancing metacognition, agency and resilience in AI-mediated work” (PI: Assistant Professor Polaris Koi, UTU Philosophy). We inquire into how human agency and metacognition shape AI adoption in the workplace, and how AI in turn influences employee experience and well-being.

The postholder will carry out substantial contributions towards the project’s research aims (though not necessarily all of them). These are to produce generalizable models of metacognitive self-regulation; to investigate how employees deploy metacognitive and decision-making processes in the AI-mediated workplace; to examine how cognitive diversity (e.g., neurodiversity) shapes technology adoption; to inquire into value-based decision-making as a driver of AI adoption; and to identify how new AI technologies shape human interaction in the workplace and potential effects on inclusion. The postholder will also contribute more broadly to the intellectual life of the Philosophy unit and the Department of Philosophy, Contemporary History and Political Science.

The position is part of the broader Transform-AI research consortium, funded by the Academy of Finland Strategic Research Council. This interdisciplinary consortium studies how navigating technological transformation could improve Finland’s economic prospects and well-being. The consortium’s starting point is the Finnish ‘innovation paradox’: despite a highly educated workforce and substantial investments in R&D, Finland’s economy is stagnant. Yet humans are the real drivers of value, and correspondingly the consortium approach the issue from the perspectives of economics, behavioral sciences, AI research, management science, educational science, human-computer interaction (HCI), ICT, and futures research. While the consortium is interested in AI’s mediating and transformational role in addressing the ‘innovation paradox’, it also critically examines the institutional, cognitive, and ethical barriers that limit its societal impact. The consortium seeks to ensure that AI adoption enhances resilience, equity, and sustainability, rather than reinforcing existing divides.

Job description

The postholder participates in planning, implementing, analysing, and publishing the results of the experimental and theoretical research carried out in the project described above. This includes broad communication within the multidisciplinary consortium and with its stakeholders.

The postholder will be part of Koi’s research group, which focuses on the philosophy and psychology of agency, and connected topics.

More broadly, the postholder contributes to the intellectual life of the Philosophy unit and the Department of Philosophy, Contemporary History and Political Science.

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Who we are looking for

Requirements

We are looking for candidates with strong interests in agency, metacognition, and/or human-computer interaction. Prior background in philosophy, whether through formal education or through interdisciplinary engagement, is preferred. Prior experience in carrying out empirical human research is essential to carrying out the tasks associated with the position.

We are looking for applicants with ability and motivation to plan and conduct high-quality research (including research planning and implementation, writing scientific publications, communicating with stakeholders and presenting at conferences), as well as good collaboration and teamwork skills.

A person selected for the post of Senior Researcher is required to have a doctoral degree and the ability to do independent scientific work. (University of Turku rules of procedure section 36)

In order to be selected for the position the applicant is required to have:

  • A doctoral degree. The degree can be in philosophy or in any area which endows the applicant with a skillset relevant for carrying out the planned research (e.g., humanities and social sciences more broadly).
  • Ability and commitment to conduct research as a part of a research group, which includes good cooperation and interaction skills, and willingness to communicate constructively across disciplines, methodologies and paradigms.
  • Experience in publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Advanced skills in empirical human research. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of the research, the applicant must demonstrate strong expertise and a proven track record in at least one (1) of the following three areas:
    • Experience in designing and conducting intervention studies or field experiments related to technology adoption, behavior change, or well-being.
    • Expertise in qualitative research methods (e.g., in-depth interviews, thematic analysis) with a focus on cognitive processes or human-computer interaction (HCI).
    • Advanced quantitative skills in survey design, psychometrics, and statistical modeling of longitudinal data (e.g., for measuring intervention impact).
  • Ability and motivation to plan and implement research related to metacognition in human-computer interaction.
  • Excellent scientific writing skills in English.

Desirable qualifications

  • Both theoretical and empirical interest in agency, metacognition, and human-computer interaction.
  • Interest in communicating with stakeholders beyond academia, such as to pursue impact on public policy or on organisational practices.
  • Experience or interest in researching cognitive diversity (e.g., neurodiversity) and its role in technology adoption and workplace inclusion.

Individuals who are close to completing their PhD and meet the other requirements mentioned above may be considered in the application process and if appointed, will be initially hired as project researchers. Individuals who are seeking a part-time engagement / secondary affiliation are also considered. We also welcome applications from applicants who have progressed beyond the ‘postdoc stage’ in their career.

We value collegiality and promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We encourage all qualified applicants with different backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Finnish-language competence is not required. The eligibility requirements for the position must be fulfilled by the end of the application period for the position.

Benefits

Benefits of this position

For researchers interested in empirically engaged philosophy or in interdisciplinary research in agency, metacognition, or human-computer interaction, the position offers an opportunity to conduct applied inquiry into these topics. Rather than a top-down approach, we provide a high degree of autonomy in developing and conducting your research. Thanks to the broad stakeholder network of the consortium, those researchers who are interested in engaging with non-academic audiences, such as policymakers and industry, have ample opportunity for doing so. The project also supports professional development, such as through periods of international mobility.

Benefits of working at UTU

We offer you responsible and interesting tasks and the opportunity to develop your professional skills in a versatile operating environment. You get a professional and inspiring team to support your work. We take care of your well-being at work and the functionality of your everyday life, e.g. with the help of flexible working hours and our well-being services.

Please read more about University of Turku as an employee from our Come work with us! pages.

The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research quality label. The label is a token of the University's commitment to continuous development of the position and working conditions of researchers according to the guidelines set forth in the European Charter for Researchers. 

The university offers good support and orientation for international hires. Please learn more about the Finnish culture and relocation to Finland:

Salary and trial period

The salary is based on the Finnish nationwide salary system for university teaching and research staff. It consists of a task-specific salary component and a personal performance salary component. The task-specific salary component of a Senior Researcher is at level 4-6. The component based on personal performance is typically 10-17 % of the task-specific salary. The salary range is approximately 3100-4300 € per month at the beginning of the employment relationship. The exact salary will depend on the person’s competence and research experience.

The researcher is expected to begin work in February 2026, but the start date is negotiable. The primary workplace is the University of Turku, but remote work within Finland can be negotiated.

The position is subject to a six (6) months trial period. The contract for the position is fixed-term until 30 September 2028, with a possibility for an extension.

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 15 December 2025, by 16.00 (Europe/Helsinki).

Please provide your application and attachments in English.

Applicants should enclose with their application:

  • Motivation letter (max 2 pages) in which the applicant describes their research backround and how their research interests relate to the activities of the Transform-AI consortium as well as the research group.
  • CV (max 5 pages).
  • List of publications (with brief description of the applicant’s role in each publication, if coauthored).
  • Sample article (a published article or a manuscript) that best describes the applicant’s qualifications for the position and how the applicant has contributed to the literature.
  • Copies of diplomas (if the degree/degrees have not been completed at the University of Turku).

For those in the process of defending their thesis, a statement from the supervisor regarding the estimated date of the dissertation defense.

Please attach all the above-mentioned required documents to the application. The documents are essential in assessing the application.

Instructions for CV and list of publications can be found on the Faculty's website:

Recruitment, Teaching Skills and Docent at the Faculty of Social Sciences

Further information

For further information about the position, please contact Assistant Professor Polaris Koi, polaris.koi@utu.fi.

For practical matters concerning the application process and electronic application system, please contact HR Specialist Sanna Suomi, sanna.m.suomi@utu.fi, +358 29 450 2524.

 

Department of Philosophy, Contemporary History and Political Science

Department of Philosophy, Political History and Political Science The research carried out at the department and the teaching that is seamlessly related to it have two complementary characteristics. On the one hand, we try to understand the broad social and human themes of being, happening, and acting in the world; on the other, we try to immerse individual events in theory and history. Our argumentated visions are based on facts.

The Faculty of Social Sciences is a vibrant scientific community of two thousand academic individuals. The faculty's disciplines provide a diverse and complementary picture of society. In the core is society and analysis of its functioning. 

The University of Turku is an inspiring and international academic community of 25,000 students and staff in Southwest Finland. We build a sustainable future with multidisciplinary research, education, and collaboration. With us, your work will have a significant impact and relevance in the changing world.

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Senior researcher, project Enhancing metacognition, agency and resilience in AI-mediated work

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