PhD in Global development studies

University of Helsinki; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Helsinki invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher in Global Development Studies. The appointee will conduct fieldwork in Brazil, work with Brazilian Amazon communities, and pursue a doctoral degree with Helsinki.

Fluency in Portuguese and advanced English are essential, and the appointee must reside in Finland during employment. The position includes support for publishing, networking, and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a probationary period and pension benefits.

Qualifications

• Fluency in Portuguese and advanced English required.
• Experience with Brazilian Amazon or rural forest communities is an asset.
• Ability to conduct independent ethnographic and qualitative research.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fieldwork in Brazil.
• Develop and execute a research plan aligned with the project themes.
• Publish findings and contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration.

Skills

Portuguese language

English language

Education

PhD (in progress or eligible)

Job description

PhD position: DOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

The Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Helsinki invites applications for the position ofDOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES Prior expertise in conducting research, working or other major exposure in the context of the Brazilian Amazon forest communities and politics. Fluency or excellent skills in Portuguese and English language The appointee will need to have secured the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki by the start of the appointment, or must apply for the right and obtain it within the six-month probationary period. See: www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/the-application-process-in-a-nutshell. Applicants’ skills and motivation to conduct research on this project will be evaluated on the basis of their application documents and an interview. The successful candidate will have excellent analytic and writing skills and will be able to conduct independent work. While we expect the research plan to align with the key themes of the research project, applicants are encouraged to implement approaches to the topic relevant to their own expertise and scholarly interest. Experience of working or researching in topics related to the topics of the FATE project is welcome, as is prior experience of conducting qualitative and especially ethnographic research. Experience working in the Brazilian Amazon and with communities in rural, forest areas is considered an advantage. The appointee needs to conduct fieldwork in Brazil, thus, speaking Portuguese is a requirement of the position. English is our working language and the appointed person is expected to have advanced skills in spoken and written English. The appointee will be expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki. They will also be expected to conduct extensive field research in Brazil. We offer an attractive workplace with a variety of opportunities to shape your research trajectory, including support for publishing, networking and interdisciplinary collaboration. The position is located at the Faculty of Social Sciences in the discipline of Global Development Studies. The University of Helsinki is an equal opportunities employer and offers an attractive and diverse workplace in an inspiring environment with a range of benefits.

The annual gross salary will range from approximately €32,000 to €42,000 for the doctoral researcher depending on qualifications and experience. Standard Finnish pension benefits and occupational health care are provided for university employees. 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 was recently ranked as the best country in the world for expat families, and Helsinki in the world’s top ten most livable cities. 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, please see the website.

Closing date for applications is 12 November 2026.

For questions, contact [e-mail].

Required documents

• A letter of motivation describing your interest in and suitability for the project (max. 1 page).
• A research plan (1500-2000 words)
• A curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages)
• A list of publications
• Recommendations from up to two referees and their contact details.
• Relevant supporting documents to verify qualifications, such as degree and language certificates (English and Portuguese)