Postdoctoral Researcher (World Literature, Literary Peripheries, ‘Second World’)

Karlstad University; Tampere; On-site; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in Finland is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in World Literature for a two-year position starting January 1, 2026. The researcher will focus on comparative literature and contribute to the project 'Utopia and Eastern European Literature after 1989'. Ideal candidates should hold a Ph.D. in humanities and demonstrate expertise in literary comparisons. The role includes research responsibilities and offers a salary between €3,800-€4,000 per month, along with various staff benefits.

Benefits

Occupational health care

Flexible working hours

Excellent sports facilities

Qualifications

• Doctorate in a relevant field of humanities and social sciences.
• Expertise in comparative literature, especially in world-systems approaches.
• Ability to conduct independent, high-quality scientific research.

Responsibilities

• Develop a transnational comparative model.
• Contribute to team project aims and publish research results.
• Participate in project meetings and present work at seminars.

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher (World Literature, Literary Peripheries, ‘Second World’)

Tampere University is one of the most multidisciplinary universities in Finland. We are building a new model for higher education and research at Tampere University.

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational, and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health, and society. Visit Tampere: www.tuni.fi/en

Faculty of Social Sciences at Tampere University invites applications for a fixed-term (2 years) Postdoctoral Researcher position, starting 1 January 2026 (or as agreed) until 31 December 2027. The position is open as part of a research team of the project “Utopia and Eastern European Literature after 1989” (PI Natalya Bekhta; funding: Research Council of Finland).

The research project “Utopia and Eastern European Literature after 1989” at Tampere University runs from September 2024 to August 2028. We study the utopian imagination of the 20th and 21st centuries in Eastern Europe with a larger aim to deprovincialise literatures of this region by (a) mapping anew the existing geographies of comparison, (b) developing a world-systems theory of literary semi-peripheries, and (c) revising the current understanding of the novel as a globally dominant genre. With a thematic focus on utopia, we aim at developing literary theory’s frameworks and methods in order to bring Eastern-European literary traditions into the world-literary discussion.

The project is hosted at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Tampere University. The Faculty of Social Sciences covers a wide range of disciplines, including literary and language studies. Tampere University is an internationally renowned research-led university. For more information about Tampere, please see VisitTampere. For further information about Finland, please visit InfoFinland and This is Finland.

Job Description

The Postdoctoral Researcher will strengthen the group’s work on developing a transnational comparative model. A potential focus of their research either on the so-called ‘second-world’ literatures or the European literary peripheries is welcome. The successful candidate is expected to actively further their own research and to publish their results. With their research they will also contribute to the overarching aims of the team project, participate in project meetings, and present their work at relevant seminars and conferences. They are expected to carry out teaching or administrative duties for 5-10% of their working time.

Requirements

The selected candidate must hold a Doctorate in a relevant field of humanities and social sciences. The degree must be completed before the start of the contract.

We seek a candidate who has expertise in comparative literature, especially in world-systems approaches to literary comparison and theories of ‘world literature’, and who is interested in developing frameworks and methods of literary theory more generally. Familiarity with the topics of “second-world” literatures, utopia and / or the knowledge of languages relevant for the study of East-Central Europe, while not required, will be considered an advantage.

The selected candidate should have the ability to conduct independent, high-quality scientific research. The candidate should have excellent analytical and methodological skills and be able to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a research team.

Excellent written and oral English skills are required. International applicants are encouraged to acquire Finnish skills during their 2-year position via the language courses provided for staff by Tampere University.

Please be prepared to provide proof of your qualifications if requested. Please refrain from submitting AI-generated proposals.

We offer

The position is fixed-term for 1.1.2026-31.12.2027. A trial period of six months applies to all new employees at Tampere University.

The salary will be based on the University Salary System. The salary of a postdoctoral researcher is at levels 5-6. In addition to the basic salary, a supplementary portion of the salary will be paid based on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. A typical starting salary varies between 3,800-4,000 EUR / month.

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, and excellent sports facilities on campus. Please read more about working at Tampere University.

How to apply

Applications should be written in English and submitted electronically via Tampere University’s electronic recruitment system (link below). The closing date for applications is 15 October 2025 (at 23:59/UCT +3:00). The online interviews of the top candidates will be held at the beginning of November 2025.

The following documents should accompany your application:

- A cover letter (1-2 pages), outlining how your previous research experience and current work align with the overarching aims of the group research project; please also include the contact details of two referees

- A research proposal (max. 4 pages) consisting of

• Your research idea and its relevance to the group project
• Preliminary implementation and publication plan

Enquiries

For further information about the position please contact the project PI, Natalya Bekhta, Ph.D., Docent in Comparative Literature at natalya.bekhta(at)tuni.fi.

Job details

Title

Postdoctoral Researcher (World Literature, Literary Peripheries, ‘Second World’)

2025-10-15 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Closing on: 2025-10-26 (Europe/Helsinki)

Closing on: 2025-11-03 (Europe/Helsinki)