About the Program
The University of Oulu invites applications for a fully funded Doctoral Researcher (PhD) position in Cultural Anthropology titled “Conviviality in Broken Times: Temporal Insecurities and the Formation of Social Bonds in Post-Migration Cities” at the Faculty of Humanities. This position is part of MITIME (Entanglements of Migration and Time in Post-industrial Urban Europe), a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network funded under Horizon Europe.
The doctoral research focuses on migration, temporality, urban inequality, and social bonds in post-industrial European cities, with ethnographic fieldwork in Finland and Germany. The project adopts an intersectional, qualitative ethnographic approach to examine how temporal insecurity shapes social, material, and digital connectivities among migrants and non-migrants. The position is based in Oulu, Finland, with international secondments and an expected start in September 2026.
Where Did We Come From? Turn the Page and See
Program Details
- Position: Fully funded Doctoral Researcher (PhD)
- Institution: University of Oulu
- Department/Faculty: Faculty of Humanities, Cultural Anthropology
- Supervisor: Dr Bruno Lefort (University of Oulu)
- Co-Supervisor: Dr Katrin Menke (Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany)
- Location: Oulu, Finland
- Start Date (Anticipated): September 2026
- Duration: 36 months (3 years)
- Funding: Fully funded MSCA Doctoral Network position
- Job Status: Full-time
- Contract Type: Temporary
- Required Degree/Diploma: Master’s degree (or equivalent) completed before the start of the contract in anthropology, sociology, social sciences, or a closely related field.
Research Focus / Area
- Cultural anthropology
- Anthropology of migration
- Social anthropology
- Urban studies
- Temporality and inequality
- Post-migration cities
- Ethnographic and qualitative research methods
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- Master’s degree completed before contract start
- No prior PhD degree awarded or defended
- Compliance with the MSCA mobility rule (not residing or working in Finland for more than 12 months during the previous 36 months)
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Strong interest in migration, temporality, and urban inequality
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with ethnographic or qualitative research methods
- Fieldwork experience and engagement with migrant communities
- Language skills in German or the languages of relevant migrant communities
- Academic writing experience in social sciences or humanities
Key Features of the Program
- Prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network position
- Joint international supervision and interdisciplinary training
- Two funded secondments in Germany and with the City of Oulu
- Structured doctoral training, mentoring, and leadership development
- Strong academic, public, and non-academic career pathways
- Competitive MSCA salary with mobility and family allowances
Salary & Benefits
- Base gross salary: €4,010 per month (country correction coefficient applies)
- Mobility allowance: €710 per month
- Family allowance (if applicable): €660 per month
- Full social security coverage according to Finnish legislation
- 6-month trial period
- Excellent work-life balance and staff wellbeing benefits
Application Process
How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted online via the University of Oulu recruitment system.
Required Documents:
- Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Research proposal (3–6 pages plus abstract) aligned with the project topic
- Degree certificates and official transcripts
- Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable)
Important Dates
- Applications Open: December 2025
- Application Deadline: 1 February 2026 (23:59 Finnish local time)
- Interviews: February–March 2026
- Start Date: September 2026
Where to Apply
- University Website: University of Oulu
- Official Job Listing: click here
- Application Portal: click here
Learn about more PhD opportunities: click here
