Senior Researcher or Project Researcher in the project Advancing Digital Democratic Innovation

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 a Project Researcher from 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2027. The employment will begin on 1 November 2025 or as agreed.

The position is part of the ADDI project on Advancing Digital Democratic Innovation (https://advancingdemocracy.eu/), an ERC Synergy Project funded by the European Union, with partners in Toulouse, Turku, and Amsterdam. Our goal is to study digitally augmented forms of civic participation through three core objectives: designing technologies and procedures for citizen deliberation and participation; experimentally testing the impact of technology in deliberative and participatory forums; and understanding the preferences expressed in digitally augmented forms of civic participation. At the end of the project, we hope to have a better understanding of how digital technologies can improve democratic practices while providing a robust suite of scientifically validated open-source tools. We also study citizens’ perceptions of digital democracy, as well as the risks of digital democracy from the perspective of democratic theory.

Job description

The position is located in a subproject of the ADDI project at the University of Turku, led by Professor Maija Setälä. The Senior Researcher/Project Researcher participates in planning, implementing, analysing, and publishing the results of the experimental research carried out in the project. We are looking for applicants with strong motivation to plan and conduct high-quality experimental research (including research planning and implementation, writing scientific publications, applying for funding and presenting at conferences), as well as good collaboration and teamwork skills.

Apply between and

Who we are looking for

Requirements 

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)
A person selected for the post of Project Researcher is required to have a higher university degree. When assessing the merits of the applicants, special emphasis will be placed on competence and practical expertise in the field in question. (University of Turku rules of procedure section 37)

In order to be selected for the position the applicant is required to have:
a)    A doctoral degree in political science or a related field. Project researcher position can be applied for if the topic of the ongoing doctoral dissertation concerns the themes of the ADDI project. The master's or doctoral degree must be completed by the end of the application period.

b)    Ability and commitment to conduct research  as a part of a research group, as well as experience in publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
c)    Advanced skills in quantitative research methods.
d)    Ability and motivation to plan and implement experiments related to citizenparticipation and deliberation (especially survey and field experiments).
e)    Excellent scientific writing skills in English.

Desirable qualifications

  • Interest in the use of digital technologies in democratic innovation and a more general interest in new forms of citizen participation.
  • Advanced data management and analysis skills.
  • Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multinational research group.
  • Good cooperation and interaction skills.

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 hired as project researchers.

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

Benefits

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 employer 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 salary system of the university’s 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 task-specific salary component of a Project Researcher is at level 2-4. The component based on personal performance is typically 10-17 % of the task-specific salary. The salary range is approximately 2600-3300 € 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 November 2025, but later start dates are negotiable. The primary workplace is the University of Turku, but remote work in Finland can be negotiated.

The position is subject to a six (6) months trial period. The contract for the position is fixed-term for 31.10.2027, 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 september at 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 interests and how their research interests relate to the activities of the ADDI project as well as the research group.
  • CV (max 2 pages).
  • List of publications (with brief description of the applicant’s role in each publication).
  • “Job market paper” (a published article or a manuscript) that best describes the applicant’s qualifications for the position and how the applicant has contributed to the scientific 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.
  • Letters of recommendation (including contact information) from two prior academic supervisors or persons familiar with the applicant’s work.

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 Professor Maija Setälä, maiset@utu.fi.
For practical matters concerning the application process and electronic application system, please contact HR Specialist Sanna Suomi, sanna.m.suomi@utu.fi, +35829 450 4987.

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.

See our open vacancies

HR Excellence in Research Logo

Homepage LinkedIn Facebook Youtube Instagram
Phone: +35829 450 2524
Email: sanna.m.suomi@utu.fi
Location: Assistentinkatu 7

Information for the applicant

The application form cannot be saved as a draft. However, after submitting you can return to edit your application via the link you receive by email. The application can be edited until the application deadline.

You have 6 hours to complete your application before the timeout.

Instructions for submitting a job application

Logo

Senior Researcher or Project Researcher in the project Advancing Digital Democratic Innovation

Are you sure you want to withdraw this application?

Back to form
Saving changes
Saved!