Postdoctoral Researcher in Propaganda Studies University of Oulu in Finland

The University of Oulu is offering a fixed-term postdoctoral researcher position in Propaganda Studies within the History, Culture and Communications Unit in the Faculty of Humanities. The appointment is part of the university’s SafeEarth research programme, linking the project to themes such as Language use, information practices and security and Information warfare and cybersecurity.

The role is designed for a highly motivated researcher who will develop and carry out an independent research plan on propaganda, with a focus on contemporary or recent 21st-century forms and an emphasis on Northern European societies. Applicants are encouraged to bring their own conceptual, theoretical, and methodological approach. The research may be historical, social-scientific, or humanities-based, and may use qualitative, quantitative, computational, historical, or mixed methods.

The successful candidate will work in collaboration with Professor Kari Alenius and Professor Noora Hirvonen and their research teams. Their groups connect political propaganda, strategic communication, and information warfare with sociocultural and sociotechnical information practice research. The broader aim is to deepen understanding of how propaganda is produced, encountered, experienced, and circulated, and how harmful information influence can be countered through media and information literacy, critical thinking, and societal resilience.

Main duties include conducting independent research, publishing articles and/or monographs, contributing to interdisciplinary collaboration across the research unit and SafeEarth, participating in outreach to academic and non-academic audiences, applying for further research funding, and providing limited teaching (up to 5% of working time). The position also includes administrative and community activities typical of academic life.

Eligibility requirements include a doctoral degree in a relevant field (history, information studies, communication studies, or equivalent), completed by the closing date and awarded no more than 10 years ago. Candidates should have peer-reviewed publications, strong English communication skills, teamwork ability, and the capacity for independent scientific research. Teaching competence is required. Preferred qualifications include an interdisciplinary research orientation, experience with propaganda-related topics, and conversational Finnish.

The appointment is full time and temporary for 3 years starting 1 January 2027. The salary follows Finnish university teaching and research staff levels 5-6, with a personal performance component, and the starting gross salary is approximately €3,700-€4,300 per month before taxes. A six-month trial period applies.

Applications must be submitted through the University of Oulu recruitment system by 1 October 2026 at 23:59 Finnish local time. The application should include a motivation letter, CV, publication list, a 2-3 page research concept paper, and contact information for 2-3 senior researchers who may provide statements if shortlisted.