Postdoctoral Researcher (World Literature, Literary Peripheries, Second World) | Tutkijatohtori[...]

Tampereen korkeakoulusäätiö sr; Tampere; On-site; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Full time

Job summary

A Finnish university is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher for a fixed-term position from January 2026 to December 2027. Responsibilities include developing comparative models and advancing research. Candidates should hold a Doctorate in humanities or social sciences with expertise in comparative literature. A typical starting salary ranges from 3,800 to 4,000 EUR per month with various benefits offered.

Benefits

Occupational health care

Flexible working hours

Excellent sports facilities

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Comparative literature expertise

Analytical skills

Methodological skills

Excellent English communication

Education

Doctorate in relevant field

Job description

Overview

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences offer a multidisciplinary, inspiring, and high-impact research and education environment. The faculties’ community emphasizes technology, health, and society. More information: Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences websites.

The 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 part of the research project Utopia and Eastern European Literature after 1989 (PI Natalya Bekhta; funding: Research Council of Finland). The project runs from September 2024 to August 2028 and studies utopian imagination in Eastern Europe with aims to deprovincialise literatures of the region by mapping geographies of comparison, developing a world-systems theory of literary semi-peripheries, and revising the understanding of the novel as a global genre. The project is hosted by the Faculty of Social Sciences at Tampere University, which covers a wide range of disciplines including literary and language studies.

For general information about Tampere, see the university and city information pages. For Finland information, reference national resources available publicly.

Job Description

The Postdoctoral Researcher will strengthen the group’s work on developing a transnational comparative model. A potential focus on second-world literatures or European literary peripheries is welcome. The candidate is expected to advance their own research, publish results, contribute to the overarching aims of the group project, participate in project meetings, and present work at relevant seminars and conferences. Teaching or administrative duties of 5–10% of working time are expected.

Requirements

• The selected candidate must hold a Doctorate in a relevant field of humanities and social sciences, completed before the start of the contract.
• Expertise in comparative literature, especially world-systems approaches to literary comparison and theories of world literature; interest in developing frameworks and methods of literary theory.
• Familiarity with second-world literatures, utopia, and knowledge of languages relevant to East-Central Europe is advantageous but not required.
• Ability to conduct independent, high-quality scientific research; strong analytical and methodological skills; ability to work independently and in a team.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills. International applicants are encouraged to learn Finnish during the position via staff language courses.
• Proof of qualifications may be requested; avoid AI-generated proposals.

We offer

The position is fixed-term for 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027. A six-month trial period applies to all new employees at Tampere University.

The salary is based on the University Salary System, with postdoctoral researchers at levels 5–6. A supplementary portion of the salary is paid based on qualifications and experience. A typical starting salary is 3,800–4,000 EUR per month.

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, including occupational health care, flexible working hours, and excellent sports facilities on campus. Read more about working at Tampere University on the university site.

How to apply

Applications should be written in English and submitted electronically via Tampere University’s electronic recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 15 October 2025 (23:59 UTC+3). Online interviews of 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 aligns with the group’s aims; include contact details of two referees
• CV (excluding publications, max. 3 pages) according to TENK guidelines
• A numbered list of publications
• A research proposal (max. 4 pages) including: your research idea and 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.