Project Researcher/Doctoral Researcher in Multilingual Reading Assessment and Educational Technology

The University of Turku invites applications for a fixed-term Project Researcher/Doctoral Researcher position in the Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, Faculty of Social Sciences. This opportunity is part of the Multilingual Reading Assessment (MUREA) project, a collaborative initiative with the Turku Research Institute for Learning Analytics (TRILA), funded by the Academy of Finland. The position runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029, with employment starting on 1 April 2026 or as agreed. The MUREA project addresses the challenge of declining reading skills and widening gaps related to gender and linguistic background among Finnish pupils in grades 1–9. The project develops innovative tools for assessing key reading skills in both native and non-native Finnish students and implements personalized interventions. Central to the research is the ViLLE learning platform, which enables large-scale data collection from 25,000 students annually. The project also collaborates with the EU-funded EYE-TEACH project, focusing on classroom eye-tracking practices to enhance teachers’ ability to support reading comprehension. The successful candidate will contribute to the development and refinement of assessment tools for reading skills, analyze existing datasets, and create new tools. Research will also explore eye-movement–based practices in classrooms, including webcam-based eye tracking and AI-assisted analysis tools to support educators. The position is supervised by University Lecturer Raymond Bertram (Speech-Language Pathology) and Professor Johanna Kaakinen (Psychology), offering guidance in a multidisciplinary and international research environment. Applicants must hold a relevant Master’s degree (e.g., psychology or speech-language pathology) completed by the application deadline. For the Doctoral Researcher role, candidates must have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Turku and a research plan aligned with the project. If not, the position will be filled as Project Researcher, with the expectation to apply for doctoral studies in the next round. Essential skills include interest or experience in reading research, learning sciences, or educational assessment; quantitative data analysis; familiarity with eye tracking or learning analytics; programming and data analysis skills (R, Python, or similar); ability to work independently and collaboratively; and excellent English proficiency. Advantageous qualifications include Finnish language skills, experience developing assessment tools, educational interventions, and knowledge of AI-assisted data analysis or educational technology tools. Residency in Finland is required for the duration of employment. The University of Turku offers a supportive and inspiring work environment, flexible working hours, comprehensive occupational health care, well-being services, and access to CampusSport at personnel rates. Professional development is encouraged through versatile training and free Open University courses. The salary is determined by the Finnish university collective agreement, estimated at 2,500–3,300 EUR/month, depending on competence and experience. The position includes a six-month trial period. Applications must be submitted via the online recruitment system by 10 March 2026. Required documents include a CV, list of publications (if applicable), motivation letter, and other relevant materials, following faculty guidelines. Interviews will be held in weeks 12–13 for shortlisted candidates. For further information about the position, contact University Lecturer Raymond Bertram ([email protected]). For application process queries, contact HR specialist Nina Kramsu ([email protected]). The University of Turku is a top-ranked institution with a multidisciplinary research profile and strong international collaborations. The university is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity, and provides excellent support for international hires. Learn more about the university, Finnish culture, and relocation options through the provided links.