The sustainability change research group at LUT University is looking for a post-doctoral researcher or a doctoral (junior) researcher in sustainability science with a focus area in strong sustainability in a sectoral context.
Strong sustainability refers to activities that ensure the long-term conservation of ecosystem services while promoting human well-being. Research in the open position will focus on system-level changes to ensure that societal sectors operate within the carrying capacity of the planet.
The job will focus on empirically demonstrating what strong sustainability could mean in practice within a selected sector, such as food, transportation, or housing. The aim of the research is to create a scientifically justified and empirically validated vision of a strongly sustainable sectoral system, for example through the operationalisation of planetary boundaries.
The optimal candidate for this position excels at gathering information using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The candidate is expected to efficiently use this information to develop a vision for a strongly sustainable sectoral system. Previous research experience, particularly in working with large data sets in the contexts of planetary boundaries, socio-technical transitions, or broader sectoral transformations, is considered an advantage. The work will include assessments and modelling of strong sustainability using contextually relevant indicators and measures.
The sustainability change group, led by Professor Lassi Linnanen, provides an inspiring working environment for this type of research. The research group consists of 20 researchers from different backgrounds such as engineering, natural sciences, and social sciences. The multidisciplinary work in this group is based on systems understanding that enables providing society with science-based evidence about measures that contribute to sustainable development as well as ones that hinder it. For more information about the group, please see here.
The selected researcher will be supervised by Associate Professor Jarkko Levänen in collaboration with other experts in the group.
You are expected to
- be interested in and able to conduct independent research at the post-doctoral or doctoral level;
- have a master’s degree (junior researcher) or a doctoral degree (post-doctoral researcher) in a field relevant to the position, such as engineering, social/environmental/sustainability sciences, or economics/business studies;
- have written and spoken fluency in English.
In addition, LUT University’s regulations require that a post-doctoral researcher has the ability for independent scientific work and teaching skills needed in the performance of the duties. The position will be filled according to the university's non-tenure career track. The position will be available initially for two years, which can be extended by two years if the researcher meets performance expectations.
Doctoral researchers must submit an application for the right to complete doctoral studies with all required appendices to the LUT Doctoral School within the first two months of the employment relationship. The position will be available initially for one year and can be extended by three years, provided that LUT deems the research to have progressed satisfactorily.
The salary is based on the current collective agreement for Finnish universities. The typical gross annual starting salary of a doctoral researcher is approximately 32 500 euros, and that of a post-doctoral researcher is approximately 49 300–57 500 euros. The employment relationship is fixed-term with a six-month trial period. The start date is negotiable in both cases.
What we offer
The wide range of benefits that come with the job include a holiday bonus, generous annual leave, a research incentive scheme with personal rewards for high-quality publications, flexible working hours, occupational health care, a collegial working environment, and continued commitment to your support, learning, training, and development.
Location
The primary working location is LUT University’s Lahti campus.
How to apply
The application deadline is 25 April 2025 at midnight, Finnish local time (UTC +3h).
Please fill out the online application form and attach the below listed required documents in English and in PDF format
All applicants:
- A curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages)
- A copy of your master’s diploma with a transcript of records; if the original documents are not in English, Finnish, or Swedish, each document must be accompanied by an official certified translation into English or Finnish
- A research plan (max. 3 pages) describing (1) how you would approach strong sustainability in your research, (2) what empirical context you prefer for your work, and (3) what methodologies you would utilise to achieve your research objectives
- A motivation letter in which you briefly introduce yourself and describe your interest in the research theme and joining LUT University (max. 1 page)
Applicants for the post-doctoral researcher position:
- A full list of publications
- A copy of your doctoral diploma; if the original documents are not in English, Finnish, or Swedish, each document must be accompanied by an official certified translation into English or Finnish
- A PDF copy of (or a link to) your doctoral dissertation
For further information, please contact Associate Professor Jarkko Levänen, [email protected], +358 50 472 5686.
More about LUT as an employer and LUT Doctoral School
Explore information for international staff.
LUT University | Clean energy, water and air are life-giving resources for which we at LUT University seek new solutions with our expertise in technology, business and social sciences. We help society and businesses in their sustainable renewal. Our international community consists of over 9,000 members. Our campuses are in Lappeenranta and Lahti, Finland. We are one of the world's top universities for climate action. lut.fi/en
Technical support for using the recruitment system: [email protected]
Application period starts: 2025-03-27 09:00 Application period ends: 2025-04-24 23:59
