The Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy is seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Researcher in History of Philosophy / History of Political Thought starting 1 February 2027, or as soon as possible after that, until 31 August 2030. The fixed-term position is for a project, Pride and Politics in Early Modern Thought, funded by the Research Council of Finland.

The project explores changing conceptions of pride in early modern Britain and France (c. 1600–c. 1762), investigates the reasons for these changes, and examines relationships between pride and political ideas. It pays particular attention to underlying philosophical and theological developments that influenced understandings of pride. Along with major works of philosophy and political theory, the project seeks to draw on material that is less known today, but that is important for understanding the debates and ideas of the period.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will focus on French texts, and is expected to have good command of the French language.

The position also offers funding for a three-month international mobility period.

Who should apply

The successful applicant will:

• Have a PhD in philosophy, history, or a related subject.
• Work on French texts across the whole period of the study (c. 1600–c. 1762).
• Focus their research on the project’s three central research questions:
  1. How was ‘pride’ understood?
  2. How were ideas of pride related to broader philosophical and theological commitments?
  3. How were understandings of pride related to political ideas?
• Take the lead on organising an international conference on the history of the concept of pride to be held at the University of Jyväskylä.

The duties, qualification requirements, and language skills of a Postdoctoral Researcher are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines. The PhD degree required for the position must have been completed before the starting date. A trial period of six months will be used in the beginning of the employment.

What we offer

Come to Jyväskylä, Finland, and join our vibrant and inspiring community!

At the University of Jyväskylä, you will be a valued member of our community with a unique opportunity to contribute to international research. You will become part of our international and multidisciplinary community that prioritizes the wellbeing of each individual. Our lively campus provides excellent opportunities for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.

Finland, named the world’s happiest country for consecutive years since 2018, offers a high standard of living with free education (also in English), affordable childcare, generous family benefits, and comprehensive healthcare. Work–life balance is highly valued in Finland, and employees enjoy four to six weeks of annual holiday. Jyväskylä is located in central Finland, just three hours by train from the capital Helsinki. Part of the Finnish Lakeland, the city offers easy access to nature and a range of outdoor, sports and exercise activities. As a major centre of education with a large student population, it also features a vibrant cultural scene. For more information about the University of Jyväskylä, the city of Jyväskylä, and living in Finland, see the University's International Staff Guide.

Salaries are based on job demands and employees’ performance following the Finnish University Salary System. The salary for this Postdoctoral Researcher's position is determined based on the task-specific demand level 5 for teaching and research staff. The salary range will be approximately 3700-4000 €/month (gross income), depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. A holiday bonus is paid to all employees. If you are relocating from abroad, we will support your move to Jyväskylä and Finland.

We offer good working conditions for researchers and promote the principles of HR Excellence in Research, HRS4R. The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is based on the values of the European Charter for Researchers & The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code). JYU is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions, and undertakes the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland. JYU has signed the DORA Declaration. By signing the agreement, JYU is committed to complying with the CoARA principles.

How to apply?

To apply, your ORCID profile (https://orcid.org) must be up to date and your publications must be visible to the public (set visibility: everyone). 

Please attach the following documents in English and in PDF format to the online application form:

1. A curriculum vitae (CV), composed according to good scientific practice and considering the template for researcher´s curriculum vitae by The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity.
2. A motivation/cover letter (max. 2 pages), including your research interests, previous experience and merits in relation to the qualifications for this position.
3. A numbered list of all scientific publications and other publications showing the applicant's ability and merits for the position using the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland.
4. A short research statement (1-2 pages) outlining how you would address at least one of the project’s research questions.
5. Degree certificate (highest degree).

We look forward to receiving your application in our recruitment system at the latest on 19 October 2026.

For further information, please contact Academy Research Fellow Alexandra Chadwick (alexandra.a.f.chadwick@jyu.fi).

Our application process is transparent, professional and international. We communicate openly with the applicants throughout the recruitment process. We value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage qualified applicants to apply for this position.