Senior researcher

Academic Positions; Finland; On-site; EUR 23,000 - 41,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Remote work options

Well-being services

Job summary

University of Turku invites applications for a contract-based, fixed-term, 80% part-time position as Project Researcher or Senior Researcher (post-doctoral) from 1.1.2027 to 31.12.2029. The HIPES project investigates inflated prevalence of mental health issues among youth using longitudinal surveys, daily diaries, and social analyses.

The selected candidate will plan and conduct high-quality research, publish in peer-reviewed venues, and collaborate with the INVEST Psychology research group.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in psychology or related field required.
• Ability to conduct independent research and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Advanced skills in quantitative methods.
• Excellent scientific writing in English.
• Finnish language skills are considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct high-quality research for HIPES project.
• Design studies, publish papers, and apply for grants.
• Present findings at conferences and seminars.
• Collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Independent research

Quantitative methods

English writing

Education

Doctoral degree in psychology or related field

Higher university degree

Job description

Psychological sciences » Behavioural sciences

Psychological sciences » Psychology

Organisation/Company University of Turku Research Field Psychological sciences » Behavioural sciences Psychological sciences » Psychology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 13 Nov 2026 - 14:00 (UTC) Country Finland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Part-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Faculty of Social Sciences, INVEST Flagship and Research Centre at the University of Turku invites applications for a contract-based, fixed term, part time 80%position of a Project Researcher or Senior Researcher (post-doctoral position) from 1.1.2027 to 31.12.2029. Employment starts on 1.1.2027 or as agreed.

The recruited researcher will work in the RCoF-funded HIPES project (under the INVEST Flagship).

The HIPES project: Testing a Hypothesis of Inflated Prevalence of mental health problems, while Expanding it with a Social Lens

Over the past decades, extensive efforts (e.g., campaigns) have been made to improve public understanding and awareness of mental health problems. Paradoxically, over the same period, reported rates of mental health problems – especially anxiety and depression – have risen dramatically among young people. The prevalence inflation hypothesis suggests that awareness efforts may not only have improved recognition of existing problems but also, for some youth, led to overinterpretation of mild symptoms as disorders – thus inflating the prevalence estimates. Overinterpretation can be problematic, as it may trigger self-fulfilling prophecies and thus, worsen symptoms over time. The prevalence inflation hypothesis remains untested to date and overlooks the influence of adolescents’ proximal environments – school, peers, and parents. HIPES will collect various types of data (surveys, daily diaries, experiments, and interviews) to test how these proximal contexts shape adolescents’ accurate recognition versus overinterpretation, and how social interactions mediate the effects of overinterpretation on the aggravation of mental health problems.

This project is situated within the INVEST Psychology research group (led by prof. Christina Salmivalli), see https://invest.utu.fi/psychology/ . We are seeking an applicant with strong motivation to plan and conduct high quality research (including designing studies, publishing papers, applying for grants, presenting at conferences), as well as skills for teamwork and collaboration.

Who we are looking for

Requirements

According to the University of Turku rules of procedure, section 36: A person selected for the post of senior research fellow is required to have a doctoral degree and the ability to do independent scientific work. For the post of a senior research fellow on the third step of the teaching and research staff career structure, evidence of scientific research work and the necessary teaching skills are also required. For the post of a senior researcher on the second step of the teaching and research staff career structure, an individual with a higher university degree and especially strong practical expertise in the field in question can also be appointed.

According to section 37 a person selected for the post of project researcher is required to have a higher university degree. When assessing the merits of the applicants, special emphasis will be placed on competence and practical expertise in the field in question.

Successful performance in the position requires:

a) a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field.Those expected to acquire such a degree within six months are also eligible to apply.

b) ability to conduct independent research and experience with publishing in peer-reviewed journals

c) advanced skills in quantitative methods

d) excellent scientific writing skills in English

The eligibility requirements for the position must be fulfilled by the end of the application period for the position.

• Knowledge and previous experience in conducting research on the specific topics related HIPES: mental health problems, adolescence, peers, parents, self-labelling, coping
• Experience with relevant methodology for the projects: longitudinal survey studies, daily diaries, social network analyses, and/or designing experiments
• Finnish language skills are considered an asset

We value collegiality and promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We encourage all qualified applicants with different backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

We offer you responsible and interesting tasks and the opportunity to develop your professional skills in a versatile operating environment. You get a professional and inspiring team to support your work. We take care of your well-being at work and the functionality of your everyday life, e.g. with the help of flexible working hours and our well-being services.

• Possibilities to develop your expertise – We encourage our personnel to develop their professional expertise by offering versatile training and competence development possibilities which employees can take advantage of during their working hours. Also, the course offering of Open University is free of charge for our personnel.
• Your well-being is important to us! – In addition to comprehensive occupational health care, our own well-being services monitor, support and develop the well-being of our personnel. You are entitled to use the CampusSport’s services at a personnel price.
• We support your work-life balance – Flexible working hours and extensive remote work options help you balance work and leisure time.
• An inspiring and supportive work community – We encourage each other and value working together!

Please read more about University of Turku as an employer from our Come work with us! pages.

The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research quality label . The label is a token of the University's commitment to continuous development of the position and working conditions of researchers according to the guidelines set forth in the European Charter for Researchers.

The university offers good support and orientation for international hires. Please learn more about the Finnish culture and relocation to Finland:

The salary is determined in accordance with the university salary system for teaching and research personnel. The job requirement level for the Senior Researcher position is OV05-OV06, while the job requirement level for the Project Researcher position is OV02-OV04. In addition, a personal performance-based salary component will be paid.

Depending on the successful candidate's previous experience and expertise, the monthly salary at the start of the employment will be approximately €3000-3700 for a Senior Researcher and €2100-2700 for a Project Researcher.

The position has a trial period of six months.

Further information

For further information about the position, please contact: Academy research fellow Lydia Wijnen, [e-mail]

With questions about the application process, please contact: HR specialist Laura Nieminen, [e-mail] , [phone]

The research flagship Inequalities, Interventions, and New Welfare State ( INVEST ) aims at providing a new model for the welfare state that is more equal, better targeted to problem groups, more anticipatory as well as economically and socially sustainable. The existing research indicates that the Nordic welfare states are efficient in reducing the negative outcomes that are related to many of the structural family disadvantages, such as parental low education, unemployment or poverty. Despite this, children and youth are still particularly vulnerable when negative life course events take place unexpectedly or when many disadvantages accumulate to the same families. The growth environments can strengthen these negative effects.

The flagship has been funded by the Academy of Finland and is implemented in cooperation with the University of Turku and the Institute of Health and Welfare (THL). The multidisciplinary project combines sociology, social policy, demography, psychology and psychiatry, in addition to the other connected fields of sciences.

The University of Turku is an inspiring and international academic community of 25,000 students and staff in Southwest Finland. We build a sustainable future with multidisciplinary research, education, and collaboration. With us, your work will have a significant impact and relevance in the changing world.

The application form cannot be saved as a draft. However, after submitting you can return to edit your application via the link you receive by email. The application can be edited until the application deadline.

You have 6 hours to complete your application before the timeout.