The University of Helsinki is among the leading multidisciplinary research universities in the world. In addition to its 11 faculties, the University includes several independent institutes, some of which are jointly operated with other universities. Some 36,000 students are currently pursuing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at the University of Helsinki.

The University of Helsinki invites applications for

12 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER POSITIONS

for a fixed term from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2015.

The aim of the postdoctoral researcher positions is to encourage talented, recently graduated doctoral degree holders to seek further qualifications and become independent professional researchers. Applications are invited from persons whose research fields are represented at the University of Helsinki.

The duties of the postdoctoral researchers include research according to the research plan submitted by the applicant, participation in the supervision of theses in their field and teaching related to their specialisation. Teaching duties account for no more than approximately 5% of the appointees’ working hours. The positions are located at the faculties, departments and independent institutes of the University of Helsinki. Before submitting their applications, applicants must obtain the approval of the department head or institute director to work as a postdoctoral researcher at the department or institute in question.

According to the Regulations of the University of Helsinki, the appointee must hold a doctoral degree and have the ability to conduct independent scientific work as well as the teaching skills required by the position. The doctoral degree is expected to have been granted no more than four years prior to application deadline. This means the doctoral degree must have been completed between 30 March 2008 and 29 March 2012. The four-year limit may be exceeded only for particularly compelling reasons, such as maternity, paternity or parental leave, military or non-military service or extended sick leave. If the applicant appeals for exemption from the four-year limit, the reasons must be indicated in his or her curriculum vitae.

According to the Government Decree on Universities, postdoctoral researchers are required to be competent in the language in which they provide instruction, in other words, Finnish or Swedish. They must have at least satisfactory oral and written skills in both languages. Foreign citizens, non-native Finnish citizens or citizens who have not been educated in Finnish or Swedish may be exempted from this requirement without a separate application. To successfully attend to the duties of the position, appointees must also have good skills in English.

The salary will be based on level 5 of the demands level chart for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The salary range will be between EUR 2,787 and 4,077 per month depending on the qualifications and previous experience of the appointee. The appointment will initially be for a trial period of four months. In addition to receiving a monthly salary, each postdoctoral researcher will receive EUR 3,000 every year for personal research expenses.

The online application form and instructions are available at http://www.helsinki.fi/postdoctoral/. A list of the documents to be submitted in addition to the online application form is included in the application instructions. Applicants unable to use the online application form may request printed versions of the application form and instructions from the University Registry, hy-kirjaamo@helsinki.fi.

Applications may be submitted as of 1 March 2012. The application deadline is Thursday, 29 March 2012 at 15.45 local Helsinki time.

Further information may be obtained from Senior Adviser in Research Administration Nina Saris, +358 9 191 23590. Email: tutkimusvarat@helsinki.fi.

www.helsinki.fi/university