Fully Funded PhD Positions in Sustainable Naturecultures, Sámi and Indigenous Studies, Sustainability Education, and Arctic Anthropology University of Lapland in Finland

The University of Lapland is advertising fully funded 3-year PhD-level junior researcher positions within the Sustainable Naturecultures and Multispecies Knowing/Futures research community (SuMu). The post is framed around Arctic, Indigenous, and sustainability-related research in a multidisciplinary environment in Rovaniemi, Finland.

Three specific doctoral researcher openings are highlighted in the post content:
• Sámi and Indigenous Studies: research on Sámi society, Indigenous peoples, governance, land and environmental relations, decolonisation, Indigenous methodologies, community-based research, and multispecies relations.
• Sustainability Education: research on how naturecultural worldviews, practices, and values shape circular economy goals, sustainability competencies, and the sustainability transition, with possible use of AI-assisted qualitative analysis and statistical modelling.
• Arctic Anthropology: anthropological research on how Arctic inhabitants relate to multiple species and beings, using long-term fieldwork, multispecies ethnography, ontological pluralism, post-anthropocentric thinking, and co-creation of knowledge with practitioners.

The broader SuMu research community focuses on naturecultures, multispecies relations, Sámi and Indigenous studies, and the politics of natural resources in times of planetary transformation. The University of Lapland describes the positions as fully funded and intended for applicants starting doctoral research. Candidates are expected to complete doctoral studies and credits within the 3-year employment period and may have limited teaching or other academic duties (up to 5% of working hours).

Eligibility highlights include a relevant master’s degree, strong interest in the relevant topic, ethical engagement, English proficiency, and a collaborative, self-directed work style. Depending on the opening, Sámi language skills, Finnish, or another Arctic language may be an asset. Applicants must not already hold doctoral study rights in any university. Selected candidates must later apply for doctoral study rights in spring 2027.

The application window given in the post is 7 May 2026 to 14 June 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki). The post also notes that there are additional fully funded PhD positions in Design & Services and Arctic Change and Adaptation.

For the Sámi and Indigenous Studies opening, the contact person is Professor Outi Rantala at the University of Lapland. The recruitment is hosted by the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi, Finland, with the workplace address at Yliopistonkatu 8, 96300 Rovaniemi.