Postdoctoral Researcher, Crea+Tech Growth Lab project

Yhteiset toiminnot; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Uniarts Helsinki is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Creative Economy team within Open Campus. You will lead the research plan for Crea+Tech Growth Lab pilots, document and analyse results, and develop an analytic framework for the R&D ecosystem at the intersection of arts, culture and technology.

The role involves collaboration with City of Helsinki and Metropolia, aiming to translate research into scalable innovation models and practices within the Helsinki metropolitan area.

Qualifications

• Research related to the creative economy and/or technology companies.
• Evidence of research activities (publications, research groups, funding).
• Experience in innovation ecosystems.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration with higher education, companies and public bodies.
• Ability to combine academic research with practical pilots and development activities.
• Strong expertise in qualitative research methods.
• Independent working style with attention to detail and networking.
• Understanding of societal and regional impact of research.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Finnish and English.

Responsibilities

• Develop the research plan for the project pilots and conduct, document, and analyse activities.
• Create an analytical framework for examining the R&D ecosystem at the creative-technology intersection.
• Utilise data and insights to support development of similar innovation environments beyond the project.
• Collaborate with City of Helsinki and Metropolia and engage stakeholders across the region.

Skills

Research expertise

Qualitative methods

Independent working

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Communication skills

Finnish language

English language

Innovation ecosystems

Academic research

Practical pilots

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher, Crea+Tech Growth Lab project

The Open Campus at the University of the Arts Helsinki (Uniarts Helsinki) is recruiting a

Postdoctoral Researcher

for a full-time fixed-term position for the Crea+Tech Growth Lab project. The position will commence on 5 October 2026, or as agreed, and end on 31 August 2028.

Working environment and information about the position

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will work within the Crea+Tech Growth Lab, a collaborative project between Uniarts Helsinki, the City of Helsinki and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. The project aims to develop a new interdisciplinary research and development model that serves the innovation ecosystem of the Helsinki metropolitan area and is built on collaboration between businesses, higher education institutions and public-sector organisations. The City of Helsinki brings extensive connections to regional businesses and development stakeholders, while also enabling project activities to become integrated into the wider business collaboration networks of the metropolitan area. Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and Uniarts Helsinki contribute research and process expertise from technological, creative and artistic perspectives. Together, the consortium is able to engage a broad range of companies and partner organisations across the region.

Within the project, Uniarts Helsinki's particular strengths lie in artistic research, interdisciplinary collaboration, creative methodologies, and the advancement of the arts and cultural sectors. The research evidence and analysis generated through the project will support the evaluation, further development and wider application of the operating models created within the project, particularly in the fields of innovation and business development.

You will join the Creative Economy team within Open Campus at Uniarts Helsinki and work in close collaboration with stakeholders from the City of Helsinki and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Your responsibilities will include developing the research plan and conducting, documenting and analysing research activities associated with the project pilots. Based on these activities, you will develop an analytical framework for examining the research and development (R&D) ecosystem at the intersection of the creative and technology sectors. The data and insights generated through the project will also be utilised beyond the project’s duration to support the development of similar innovation environments.

Selection criteria and requirements

We expect you to have

• Research expertise related to the creative economy and/or technology companies
• Evidence of research activities in the field (publications, membership of research groups, research funding applications)
• Experience of working in innovation ecosystems
• Experience of interdisciplinary collaboration with higher education institutions, companies and public organisations
• Ability to combine academic research with practical pilots and development activities
• Strong expertise in qualitative research methods
• Independent working style, accuracy, attention to detail and networking skills
• Understanding of the societal and regional impact of research
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills
• Proficiency in Finnish and English

The following will be considered an advantage

• Knowledge of artistic research, service design or user-centred methods
• Experience in facilitating workshops, co-development or co-creation processes

Working hours and salary

Working hours are determined in accordance with the Collective Agreement for Universities and amount to 1,612 hours per academic year. Salary is based on the salary system for teaching and research staff under the Collective Agreement for Universities. The job requirement level is 5-6. In addition to the position-specific salary component, a personal performance-based salary component is awarded. The gross monthly salary for the position is approximately EUR 3,800-4,500.

Type of employment

Temporary position (shorter than 10 days)