Doctoral Researcher on Education-Related Inequalities

University of Helsinki / General; Finland; On-site; EUR 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Helsinki invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher on education-related inequalities. The position is for a fixed term of about 3.5 years, starting 18 January 2027 and ending 30 August 2030, with duties including research toward the doctoral thesis and other project tasks.

The appointee will handle data infrastructure, joint publications, and teaching up to 5% of time, and is expected to reside in Finland. English proficiency is required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field by the start of employment.
• Strong quantitative methods skills are required.
• Experience with Finnish census and population register data is advantageous.
• Ability and motivation to pursue postgraduate studies.
• Strong command of written English.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research toward the doctoral thesis in one or more of the four defined research areas, aiming for a doctoral dissertation.
• Collaborate with the PI, publish research jointly, and contribute to project tasks including data infrastructure and communication.
• Teach or perform related activities as agreed, up to 5% of annual working time.
• Engage with the research group and international collaboration for scientific publishing.

Skills

Quantitative methods

English proficiency

Education

Master’s degree in demography / public health / epidemiology / political science / philosophy / statistics

Job description

Organisation/Company UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI Research Field Philosophy Literature Sociology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 19 Nov 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country Finland Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Helsinki invites applications for the position of

A DOCTORAL RESEARCHER ON EDUCATION-RELATED INEQUALITIES

for a fixed term period of approximately 3.5 years, starting from 18 January 2027 until 30 August 2030 (or as agreed).

The appointee will conduct research toward their doctoral thesis in one or more of the four research areas (1–4) defined above, with the aim of producing a doctoral dissertation, typically consisting of three peer-reviewed scientific articles and a summary. Working together with the principal investigator, the appointee will have a key role in the project implementation, including conducting and publishing research jointly, as well as other project tasks, such as maintaining its data infrastructure and communication. Additionally, the work duties include teaching or related activities as agreed with the needs of the Institute (up to 5% of annual working time).

The project research takes advantage of two types of data sources. First, Finnish census and population register data that are unique internationally in that they longitudinally combine individual and family data of a full national population for over 50 years. Second type of data used consists of Finnish population representative epidemiological cohort studies and twin studies that contain behavioural, clinical and genetic information, which are also linked to register-based information. The project is led by Hannu Lahtinen.

QUALIFICATIONS

The appointee to the position must hold a master’s degree in demography, public health/epidemiology, quantitative sociology or political science, philosophy, statistics, population genetics or another relevant field by the beginning of the employment.

For a successful applicant, strong quantitative methods skills are required. Following are not considered necessary but can be advantageous in the job:

• Experience in working with Finnish or other national register-based data infrastructure.
• Experience in working with genotyped data is also considered an advantage, particularly if the applicant specializes in research area 2.
• For an applicant specializing in research area 4, also more theoretical or meta-empirical (e.g. meta-analysis and systematic literature review methods) research focus is an option.

The appointee must have the ability and motivation to pursue postgraduate studies following a study plan and research proposal. The appointee must either hold a right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki or obtain it within the six-month probationary period.

The appointee needs to have a strong command of written English.

The appointee is expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki. The International Staff Unit provides assistance in relocation.

WHAT WE OFFER

We are an equal opportunity employer and offer an attractive and diverse workplace in an inspiring environment with a variety of development opportunities and benefits. The appointee will receive active research feedback, thesis supervision and similar support within the research project and wider research group, as well as opportunities for international collaboration and scientific publishing.

The starting monthly gross salary range will be approximately €2,700-€3,300 depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. In addition, University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care, standard Finnish pension benefits, and opportunities for professional development. Further information can be obtained online . The employment contract will include a probationary period of six months.

Finland is a member of the European Union, has high-quality free schooling (also in English) and generous family benefits and healthcare. Finland and the Helsinki region feature leading research and innovation facilities, clean environment, affordable accommodation, and excellent international, national, and local transport connections. For more information about working at the University of Helsinki and living in Finland .

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the position and the research project may be obtained from Academy Research Fellow Hannu Lahtinen, [e-mail] .

The Faculty of Social Sciences is Finland’s leading research and education institute in the social sciences, and the country’s most diverse social sciences faculty in terms of the range of its disciplines and fields of research. The Faculty has a strong international research profile and an international master’s programme, and several of its disciplinary units have been rated among the top 50 in the world. The faculty has approximately 550 research and teaching staff, and each year it awards some 350 bachelor’s degrees, 400 master’s degrees and more than 50 doctoral degrees.