Doctoral Researcher in Psychology or Education (Climate-change Hopelessness among Emerging Adults) University of Oulu in Finland

The University of Oulu, a leading multidisciplinary research university in Finland, is seeking a Doctoral Researcher to join the Faculty of Education and Psychology for a project focused on how young people relate to the climate-change crisis from psychological, educational, and multidisciplinary perspectives. The successful candidate will work within the Teacher Education, School, and Society (TESS) unit and be affiliated with the Profi7 research program Frontiers of Arctic and Global Resilience (FRONT), which addresses human-environment relations and adaptation challenges in the Arctic and globally. The doctoral researcher will also participate in activities organized by the Eudaimonia Institute. The position is part of the three-year project "Climate-change hopelessness among emerging adults: Sources of hopelessness, outcomes, and resilience factors (ClimHope)," funded by the University of Oulu Eudaimonia Institute. The project aims to explore the types and patterns of climate hopelessness and related emotions among emerging adults, investigate the relationships between hopelessness and outcomes such as climate-change engagement, civic engagement, and mental wellbeing, and identify resilience factors that support engagement and mental health. The research will employ both qualitative (analysis of written stories and interview data) and quantitative (cross-sectional and longitudinal survey data) methods. The doctoral researcher will contribute to three substudies for their thesis: (1) analyzing longitudinal survey data on climate-hopelessness, (2) conducting qualitative research on open-ended survey data from Spain and Finland regarding climate hope and hopelessness, and (3) analyzing written stories about the future and climate change. The specific tasks can be tailored to the candidate’s skills and interests. The researcher will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including a postdoctoral researcher, international co-supervisors from Denmark and Sweden, and the principal investigator, Professor Maria Ojala. The project is embedded in the new Socio-ecological Resilience and Sustainability (SERSUS) research group and benefits from a scientific advisory board of leading international experts. The University of Oulu offers a supportive, international, and multidisciplinary research environment, with staff benefits such as wellness programs, career development opportunities, and support for settling into Oulu. The position is full-time, fixed-term for three years, with a starting gross salary of approximately 2600-3200 € per month, and includes a 6-month trial period. Applicants should have a completed master’s degree in psychology, social psychology, or education, with demonstrated experience in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and a strong interest in climate change and sustainability. Fluency in English and good collaborative skills are required. Additional assets include research experience in emotions, resilience, education, and mental wellbeing, as well as Finnish language skills. Applications must be submitted online by 2 December 2025 and include a cover letter, CV, certificates, thesis abstract, and referee contacts. For further information, contact Professor Maria Ojala ([email protected]).