Postdoctoral in Environmental Humanities – Oulu, Finland

About Position/Job

The University of Oulu invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in Environmental Humanities. The position is to join the EU-funded project Insects of the North, an interdisciplinary collaboration exploring human–insect relations in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Based in the Faculty of Humanities, Unit of History, Culture and Communication Studies, the role focuses on ethnographic research into community knowledge, perceptions, and cultural practices related to blood-sucking insects such as mosquitoes and midges. The project, led by Prof. Vesa-Pekka Herva and Dr. Roger Norum, combines environmental humanities and social science perspectives with ecological research to inform biodiversity monitoring and conservation policy. This is a unique opportunity to work with international partners, conduct fieldwork in Finland, Sweden, and possibly Norway, and contribute to cutting-edge Arctic research within two major University of Oulu research programmes – Biodiverse Anthropocenes and SAFIRE.

Position/Job Details

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher – Insects of the North
Institution: University of Oulu
Department: Faculty of Humanities, Unit of History, Culture and Communication Studies
Research field: Environmental Humanities / Human–Insect Relations
Location: Oulu, Finland
Number of posts: 1
Job Type: Part-time (50% for 24 months) or full-time (100% for 12 months), fixed-term
Start Date (Anticipated): October 2025
Working Hours: Negotiable (based on agreed percentage)
Salary Range: €3,600–€4,200 per month (before taxes, full-time equivalent)
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD

Research Area

Environmental Humanities
Ethnographic Fieldwork
Human–Insect Relations
Biodiversity and Conservation
Arctic and Sub-Arctic Studies

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD in archaeology, anthropology, geography, environmental humanities, STS, or a related field (awarded within the last 10 years)
Experience in qualitative research and interdisciplinary collaboration
Fluency in Finnish and sufficient Swedish to conduct interviews
Excellent written and communication skills in English

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in environmental or biodiversity-related research
Interest in collaborating with ecologists and natural scientists
Capacity for innovative research methods (e.g. walking interviews, soundscape ecology)

Key Responsibilities

Design and conduct qualitative interviews with local and Indigenous communities in northern Finland, Sweden, and possibly Norway
Analyse ethnographic data and integrate with ecological findings
Collaborate with international project partners and stakeholders
Disseminate research results in publications, conferences, and outreach events
Participate in knowledge exchange activities and interdisciplinary workshops
Engage in occasional teaching or supervision (max 5% of annual hours)