Doctoral Researcher within the ERC-funded project From the Margin to the Centre: Rights Development, Transitional Justice and Indigeneity in the Nordics (MARCEN)

The Faculty of Law, University of Turku invites applications for the position of Doctoral Researcher in Law (1 January 2026 – 31 December 2029).

Job description

The doctoral researcher will use legal and historical methods to research the developing framing and governance of indigeneity in Sweden, Norway and Finland during the period 1920s–2020s. Particular emphasis will be placed on archival research and public investigations and documents, comparatively investigating the changing faces of Nordic settler state nationalisms and governance trajectories in relation to the indigenous Sámi people.

The doctoral researcher’s tasks include conducting research on the theme of the applicant’s dissertation and attending doctoral courses. The position may include up to approximately 80 hours/academic year of teaching and additional faculty-assigned duties. The position requires that the employee resides in Finland for the duration of the employment contract.

The doctoral researcher will work in close cooperation with the PI Daniela Alaattinoğlu and the rest of the MARCEN project team. The doctoral researcher will be co-supervised by the PI, who is a legal scholar, and Professor Patrik Lantto (University of Umeå), who is a historian. While the doctoral researcher will have the freedom to choose their own research focus, it is important that the thesis aligns with the description above and the focus of MARCEN.

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Who we are looking for

We are looking for a candidate with a master’s degree in law, history, indigenous studies, political or social sciences, with a research interest in legal history and indigenous studies.

The doctoral researcher will be expected to advance their own research and contribute to the activities of the MARCEN project and the Faculty of Law. The doctoral researcher should be fluent in English and proficient in at least two of the following languages: Norwegian, Swedish, or Finnish.

Given the MARCEN project’s focus on the legal inclusion and exclusion of the Sámi people, we particularly welcome applications from candidates with proficiency in one or more Sámi languages and those with in-depth knowledge of the relevant legal and historical context.

The position is primarily intended for candidates who are beginning their doctoral studies rather than those with ongoing PhD projects.

If the successful applicant does not already have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Turku, they must apply for admission during one of the 2025 application periods (spring or autumn) via the Studyinfo.fi service through the Doctoral Programme in Law (Faculty of Law).

Please note that acceptance into the doctoral programme does not automatically guarantee a salaried position within the MARCEN project. Additionally, if the selected candidate has not applied for doctoral study rights in the spring, their selection will be conditional upon acceptance into the programme in autumn 2025.

Read more about applying for the right to study on the website Doctoral Programme in Law / Instructions for Applicants.

The qualification requirements for doctoral researchers are described in the rules of procedure of the University of Turku (section 38).

We value equality and diversity in our work community and 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 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 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 Doctoral Researcher is at level 2–4. The component based on personal performance is 6–50% of the task-specific salary. The task-specific salary component of an entry-level Doctoral Researcher is typically on level 2, in which case the salary range is about 2500 € per month at the beginning of the employment relationship.

The post is subject to a six (6) months trial period.

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 2.6.2025 at 16.00 (Europe/Helsinki).

Applicants should enclose with their application:

  1. a cover letter of no more than two pages;
  2. an extended abstract of a doctoral research proposal (maximum 400 words);
  3. a short curriculum vitae, without photo, of no more than two pages;
  4. a list of publications in accordance with the guidelines of the Faculty of Law: https://www.utu.fi/sites/default/files/public%3A//media/file/list_of_publications_EN.pdf;
  5. an academic writing sample (e.g. the candidate’s master’s thesis);
  6. copie(s) of degree certificate(s) (if degree(s) are not completed at the University of Turku);
  7. other documents related to the applicant’s competence and qualifications.

Further information

For further information about the position, please contact Assistant Professor Daniela Alaattinoğlu, daniela.alaattinoglu(a)utu.fi.

For practical matters concerning the application process and electronic application system, please contact Head of Faculty Administration Noora Kedonperä, nokake(a)utu.fi.

Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law is a modern research and educational community. It is an encouraging and innovative academic community in which the interaction between students, teachers, researchers and administrative staff is easy and uncomplicated. The production of the new research information and the training of the new experts are core tasks of the Faculty.

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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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

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Doctoral Researcher within the ERC-funded project From the Margin to the Centre: Rights Development, Transitional Justice and Indigeneity in the Nordics (MARCEN)

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