Postdoctoral Researcher, Science and Technology Studies (STS) and aquatic restoration in the Nordic and Arctic regions University of Oulu in Finland

The University of Oulu in Finland is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher in Science and Technology Studies (STS) and aquatic restoration in the Nordic and Arctic regions. The position sits in the Department of Anthropology, within the History, Culture and Communications Unit at the Faculty of Humanities. The successful candidate will join the interdisciplinary SAFIRE programme, “Safeguarding biodiversity through interdisciplinary research on habitat restoration,” and work closely with Dr. Jose A. Cañada and the research team.

This post focuses on how relations between humans and aquatic environments are changing through restoration and alteration of aquatic ecologies in the Nordic and Arctic regions. The project is especially interested in the production of knowledge and practices from technoscientific, regulatory, citizen, and indigenous perspectives. The role is grounded in social research on aquatic ecologies and asks how responsible technoscientific development and socio-ecologically just policy and governance can be supported through interdisciplinary scholarship.

The team’s research agenda is organized around four STS-informed themes: more-than-human care and environmental management; knowledge production and situated accounts of the world; scientific citizenship and public participation; and methodological experimentation with sensory and non-standard approaches. The researcher will be expected to engage with at least two of these thematic areas in their own research plan. Duties include conducting social scientific research, contributing to group activities, producing academic outputs such as articles and monographs, taking part in interdisciplinary collaboration and outreach, and supporting applications for future research funding.

The appointment is a temporary, full-time position for 3 years, starting on or around 2 November 2026. The starting gross salary is approximately EUR 3,700–4,300 per month before taxes, with an additional performance-based salary component. The University of Oulu highlights its research environment, HR Excellence in Research recognition, flexible work options, and support for relocation and integration in Oulu.

Eligibility requirements include a completed doctoral degree in a relevant field such as STS, anthropology, sociology, social psychology, or environmental social sciences; the doctorate must be no more than 10 years old by the closing date. Applicants should have strong qualitative research experience, transdisciplinary orientation, excellent English communication skills, and teamwork capacity. Conversational Finnish is considered an advantage.

Applications must be submitted in English through the university recruitment system by 30 September 2026. Required documents are a 1-page motivation letter, a 2-page research concept paper, a CV of up to 4 pages, a publication list with up to five key publications highlighted, and contact details for two to three senior referees. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed and later asked to provide diplomas and references.