Senior researcher or doctoral researcher

The Faculty of Social Sciences, INVEST Research and Flagship Centre at the University of Turku invites applications for contract-based, fixed term position of senior or doctoral researcher from 01.01.2024 to 31.08.2027. Employment starts on 01.01.2024 or as agreed.

The goal of the CAUSALTIME project is to develop and apply new computational Bayesian methods for panel data causal inference especially in the context of social sciences. These methods allow us to assess the effects of interventions and learn causal mechanisms in an efficient, transparent, and interpretable way, accounting various sources of uncertainty in the modelling. The project shares research aims and works in close collaboration with the PREDLIFE project (https://sites.utu.fi/predlife/en/) and INVEST Flagship in general.

Job description

The senior researcher or doctoral researcher selected for the CAUSALTIME project will be involved in developing advanced statistical techniques tailored for causal inference using panel data that can efficiently handle multivariate data in presence of missingness and complex interdependencies. The developed methods are based on Bayesian statistics, structural causal models and hidden Markov (state space) models. Depending on the applicant's skills and interests, the selected person will work on the theoretical and computational methodology, their practical implementation, related visualization problems, and/or applied research problems utilising the methods developed in the project.

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Who we are looking for

Successful candidates have:

  • A relevant doctor’s degree (senior researcher) or a relevant master’s degree (doctoral researcher) e.g. in statistics, sociology, economics, or computer science.
  • Strong proficiency in statistical methodology. Familiarity in Bayesian statistics, panel/time series models, and causal inference theory (structural causal models or potential outcomes framework) is a plus.
  • Excellent English language skills, both oral and written.
  • Proficiency in relevant programming skills such as R, Stata, Python, Julia, C++. Knowledge of probabilistic programming languages such as Stan is considered a bonus.
  • For the senior researcher position, a promising publication record in international journals, particularly in areas such as statistics, social sciences, economics, or computer science.
  • According to University of Turku rules of procedure section 40 A person selected for the post of doctoral researcher is required to have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Turku. In addition, when acquiring their degree or otherwise, they are required to have demonstrated the ability and motivation to undertake postgraduate studies and the capacity to complete a doctoral degree in accordance with the research plan.

Benefits

 

  • Extensive onboarding  
  • Versatile training and competence development possibilities
  • Free courses in Open University of Turku. 
  • CampusSport’s broad selection of sports services at a personnel price 
  • Flexible working hours and possibilities for distance work also from abroad
  • Excellent support services for the entire personnel

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 logo. The logo 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 persons chosen for the positions are expected to begin their employment in March 2024 at the latest. Contract will last until the end of the project August 2027.

The salary is determined by the collective agreement system of Finnish universities for teaching and research personnel.  The work-specific component for doctoral researcher is level 2–4 (2182,19-2720,86 €/month) and Senior researcher level 4-6 (2720,86-3673,96 /month)

In addition to the work-specific requirement level, there will a component based on personal performance, which is usually 10-17% at the beginning of the contract. The exact salary will depend on the person’s competence and research experience and will be specified when the employment contract is prepared. Progress in the researcher's personal performance will be taken into account when determining the salary during employment.

There will a trial period of 6 months.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted by the 3.12.2023 (23.59 EET, UTC +2)

The application must include:

  • Motivation letter (maximum of 1 page) stating how the applicants previous and current research interests align with the CAUSALTIME project and/or the interests of the linked PREDLIFE project or the research conducted in the INVEST Research Flagship Centre in general.
  • CV
  • Academic portfolio
  • List of publications
  • For the post doc position: two writing samples (articles or manuscripts) on topics related to the topic areas of the project and/or the flagship
  • If not yet defended, a statement from the supervisor on the expected date of defending the thesis)

Please, attach all the above-mentioned documents to your application. The documents are crucial in assessing the applications

Interviews for this position will be held in week 50.

Further information

Further details about the position are available upon request from Academy Research Fellow Jouni Helske, Jouni.helske@utu.fi

Any inquiries about the recruitment process or the e-recruitment system will be answered by HR Specialist Laura Nieminen, laura.nieminen@utu.fi, +358 29 450 4987

For further information about living and working in Finland: https://invest.utu.fi/vacancies/

INVEST Research Flagship Centre

Think, Question, Get Inspired – New Welfare State

The research flagship Inequalities, Interventions, and New Welfare State (INVEST) aims at providing a new model for the welfare state that is more equal, better targeted to problem groups, more anticipatory as well as economically and socially sustainable. The existing research indicates that the Nordic welfare states are efficient in reducing the negative outcomes that are related to many of the structural family disadvantages, such as parental low education, unemployment or poverty. Despite this, children and youth are still particularly vulnerable when negative life course events take place unexpectedly or when many disadvantages accumulate to the same families. The growth environments can strengthen these negative effects. 

The flagship has been funded by the Academy of Finland and is implemented in cooperation with the University of Turku and the Institute of Health and Welfare (THL). The multidisciplinary project combines sociology, social policy, demography, psychology and psychiatry, in addition to the other connected fields of sciences.

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

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Senior researcher or doctoral researcher

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