Postdoctoral Researcher in Study of Religion

EDU Passport LLC; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 43,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible hours

Sports facilities

Professional development

Job summary

University of Helsinki invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in the Study of Religion within MePhiS, a fixed-term appointment for three years starting January 2027 or as agreed. The role includes teaching and administrative duties amounting to about 5–10% of the time.

The project explores vernacular responses to suffering in contemporary society, with empirical and theoretical approaches and collaboration across MePhiS and related faculties. English is the working language.

Qualifications

• PhD in humanities or social sciences (Religious Studies, Anthropology, Sociology of Religion) required.
• Strong ability to conduct independent scholarly work and communicate in English.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research within MePhiS on Future, Futurelessness and Vernacular Responses to Suffering.
• Publish scholarly articles independently and with others; contribute to teaching and administrative duties (≈5–10%).

Skills

Independent scholarly work

English communication

Teaching skills

Collaboration

Education

Doctoral degree in Humanities or Social Sciences

Job description

Heads up! This is an External Job, not posted with us directly, but still an EDU job we found from across the web. Go ahead, try finding one we missed! Some sites out there can be unsafe or unreliable. View the original if you must, but always come back to EDU Passport to stay safe and connected.

Job Location

Global

Job Description

Offer Description

The Centre of Excellence in Meliorist Philosophy of Suffering (MePhiS), funded by the Research Council of Finland at the University of Helsinki and Tampere University, invites application for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in the Study of Religion. The position is open within MePhiS’s research team Future, Futurelessness and Vernacular Responses to Suffering. The position is fix-term for three years starting in January 2027 or earlier/later as agreed.

MePhiS engages in philosophical and interdisciplinary scholarship that places the concept of suffering at the centre of philosophical reflection and offers conceptual and argumentative tools for a deeper understanding of human engagement with affliction, starting from the meliorist (Lat. melior, better) idea that the world can and should be made better through active human efforts. According to meliorism, a positive outcome is neither guaranteed (optimism) nor impossible (pessimism).

The team Future, Futurelessness, and Vernacular Responses to Suffering (WP5) explores vernacular religious and non-religious encounters and responses—such as explanations, justifications, and imaginations—related to suffering. We are particularly interested in both empirical and theoretical approaches that address human and non-human death, climate change, and the loss of nature amidst an increasingly unpredictable future.

Our aim is to understand how different groups engage with contemporary (poly)crises and whether these encounters reflect a melioristic stance toward suffering. We are especially searching for expertise that complements our present team’s competences.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will be responsible for pursuing the research aims described above in the context of the Study of Religion; authoring scholarly publications independently and collaboratively on these topics; collaborating with other members of the MePhiS, including through joint publications and other research activities; and contributing to teaching and administrative duties, amounting to approximately 5-10 % of the working time.

Requirements for the position and assessment of qualifications We are looking for a candidate with expertise in the empirical and theoretical Study of Religion in contemporary society and interested in advancing the research aims described above. Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field within the humanities or social sciences (e. g. Religious Studies, Anthropology or Sociology of Religion) and have the ability to conduct independent scholarly work as well as the teaching skills necessary for the position.

Other academic activities of MePhiS are expected. A pre-existing interest in the general theme of the CoE is an advantage. The working language of MePhiS is English, and excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required. When assessing applicants’ qualifications, attention will be paid to international academic activities, including high-quality peer-reviewed publications. Applicants should be prepared to provide proof of their qualifications upon request. Please do not submit AI-generated proposals.

What we offer The position is fix-term for three years starting in January 2027 or earlier/later as agreed. A six-month trial period applies to new employees at University of Helsinki. The salary for the position will be based on level 5 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The annual gross salary is €43,000 - €50,000. In Finnish universities, the teaching and research staff (app. 65 % of total staff) have a special system regarding the free time equivalent to holiday. They belong to the 1,612 annual working hour system, in which the annual amount of paid holiday is app. 5-6 weeks on average per year. The appointee is expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki.

• Occupational health care and health insurance
• Flexible working hours
• Excellent campus sports facilities
• Opportunities for professional development
• Free time equivalent to holiday
• Annual amount of paid holiday is app. 5-6 weeks on average per year

The University provides support for internationally recruited employees with their transition to work and life in Finland. More information here.

The Faculty of Theology is well-known for its internationally acknowledged research in the fields represented by MePhiS, and there are close ties with the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Social Science, and the Faculty of Education, as well as other units on the City Centre Campus. The Faculty of Theology and the University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and minorities. A diverse and equitable study and work culture is important to us.

We encourage all qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for our positions.

Click this link to read about accessibility and inclusivity at our University. For more information about Helsinki, please see My Helsinki. For further information about Finland, please visit infoFinland and This is Finland.