Postdoctoral Researcher in Psychology or Education, Faculty of Education and Psychology
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Faculty of Education and Psychology, Teacher education, school and society
The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 4000 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based education to build a more sustainable, smarter, and more humane world. The University of Oulu community has about 17,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations.
We are now looking for
a Postdoctoral Researcher
to join us in the Faculty of Education and Psychology, Teacher Education, School, and Society (TESS), to work in a project about how young people relate to the climate-change crisis (psychological, educational, and multidisciplinary perspectives). The doctoral researcher will also be affiliated with the Profi7 research program Frontiers of Arctic and Global Resilience (FRONT). The FRONT program focuses on changing human-environment relations and challenges to cope and adapt with that change in the Arctic and elsewhere on the planet. In addition, the doctoral researcher will take part in activities arranged by the Eudaimonia Institute.
About The Job
As a postdoctoral researcher you will work in a three-year long project "Climate-change hopelessness among emerging adults: Sources of hopelessness, outcomes, and resilience factors (ClimHope)" funded by the University of Oulu Eudaimonia Institute. The main aims of the project are to among emerging adults: (1) Explore what types of climate hopelessness, and what patterns of hopelessness and other climate emotions, exist. (2) Investigate relationships between hopelessness and outcome factors such as climate-change engagement, civic engagement, and mental wellbeing. (3) Identify possible resilience factors for engagement and mental wellbeing. We will conduct qualitative studies (written stories, interviews) and use quantitative survey data (cross-sectional, longitudinal).
In the ClimHope project, your responsibilities include to work with studies based on already collected longitudinal survey data (two to three waves of quantitative data), develop new survey scales about climate-change hopelessness and hope based on qualitative studies in the project and thereafter lead and conduct a crossectional survey study with senior high-school students in Finland. You might also, depending on your language skills in Finnish, either conduct a small qualitative interview study with Finnish emerging adults about hopelessness or analyze qualitative written stories about the future and climate change (in English). Your specific tasks can be tailored based on your skills and interests.
You will write scientific articles together with other researchers in the group. You will take part of regular meetings with other researchers in the ClimHope project, including a doctoral student, two researchers from Denmark and Sweden, and the principal investigator. In addition, the project includes an esteemed scientific advisory board consisting of leading international researchers in the climate psychology and educational field. The project is part of a new research group led by Professor Maria Ojala “Socio-ecological Resilience and Sustainability” where researchers in psychology and education work. You will also be part of the Profi 7 research program Frontiers of Arctic and Global Resilience (FRONT) and take part of activities arranged by the Eudaimonia Institute, University of Oulu.
What We Offer
In order to succeed and enjoy the position, we expect that you:
The position is fixed-term for a maximum of three years as of 15.1.2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The salary will be based on the levels 5-6 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (a maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). The starting gross salary will be approx. 3700-4300 € per month (before taxes).
A trial period of 6 months is applied to the position.
How to apply?
Interested? If yes, please apply by 2.12.2025 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.
The application should be written in English and include the following:
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, such as people of different ages, different genders, and members of different linguistic, cultural, or minority groups.
Contact Information
If You Have Any Further Questions, Please Contact
Professor, Maria Ojala, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Teacher Education, School, and Society (TESS) and Frontiers of Arctic and Global Resilience (FRONT), maria.ojala@oulu.fi
Type of employment Temporary position over 6 months Contract type Full time Number of positions 1 Full-time equivalent 100% City Oulu County Pohjois-Pohjanmaa Country Finland Reference number 2025/635 Published 03.Nov.2025 Last application date 02.Dec.2025
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Faculty of Education and Psychology, Teacher education, school and society
The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 4000 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based education to build a more sustainable, smarter, and more humane world. The University of Oulu community has about 17,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations.
We are now looking for
a Postdoctoral Researcher
to join us in the Faculty of Education and Psychology, Teacher Education, School, and Society (TESS), to work in a project about how young people relate to the climate-change crisis (psychological, educational, and multidisciplinary perspectives). The doctoral researcher will also be affiliated with the Profi7 research program Frontiers of Arctic and Global Resilience (FRONT). The FRONT program focuses on changing human-environment relations and challenges to cope and adapt with that change in the Arctic and elsewhere on the planet. In addition, the doctoral researcher will take part in activities arranged by the Eudaimonia Institute.
About The Job
As a postdoctoral researcher you will work in a three-year long project "Climate-change hopelessness among emerging adults: Sources of hopelessness, outcomes, and resilience factors (ClimHope)" funded by the University of Oulu Eudaimonia Institute. The main aims of the project are to among emerging adults: (1) Explore what types of climate hopelessness, and what patterns of hopelessness and other climate emotions, exist. (2) Investigate relationships between hopelessness and outcome factors such as climate-change engagement, civic engagement, and mental wellbeing. (3) Identify possible resilience factors for engagement and mental wellbeing. We will conduct qualitative studies (written stories, interviews) and use quantitative survey data (cross-sectional, longitudinal).
In the ClimHope project, your responsibilities include to work with studies based on already collected longitudinal survey data (two to three waves of quantitative data), develop new survey scales about climate-change hopelessness and hope based on qualitative studies in the project and thereafter lead and conduct a crossectional survey study with senior high-school students in Finland. You might also, depending on your language skills in Finnish, either conduct a small qualitative interview study with Finnish emerging adults about hopelessness or analyze qualitative written stories about the future and climate change (in English). Your specific tasks can be tailored based on your skills and interests.
You will write scientific articles together with other researchers in the group. You will take part of regular meetings with other researchers in the ClimHope project, including a doctoral student, two researchers from Denmark and Sweden, and the principal investigator. In addition, the project includes an esteemed scientific advisory board consisting of leading international researchers in the climate psychology and educational field. The project is part of a new research group led by Professor Maria Ojala “Socio-ecological Resilience and Sustainability” where researchers in psychology and education work. You will also be part of the Profi 7 research program Frontiers of Arctic and Global Resilience (FRONT) and take part of activities arranged by the Eudaimonia Institute, University of Oulu.
What We Offer
- The support of an experienced and enthusiastic team of multidisciplinary people, where you can share your expertise and grow as an expert.
- Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture, and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits here.
- Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and your close ones in settling into Oulu.
- Development and career options of the big organization.
- We have an HR Excellence in Research -quality label, which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers.
- Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
- Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, an excellent education system, and a competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.
In order to succeed and enjoy the position, we expect that you:
- Have a doctoral exam in psychology, social psychology, education or a nearby field. The doctoral degree must be completed by the starting date of the position. The degree must have been obtained no more than 10 years ago
- Have strong skills in advanced statistics and excellent knowledge about statistical methods used in longitudinal studies
- Have experience of developing survey scales and conducting survey studies (including data collection), preferably with adolescents and/or young adults
- Have an openness to other scientific disciplines and multidisciplinary approaches and have good collaborative skills
- Have ability for independent scientific work
- Are fluent in written and spoken English and have good communication skills
- Have experience of working with qualitative methodological approaches (conducting interview studies, analyzing interviews and/or written stories)
- Have Finnish language skills
The position is fixed-term for a maximum of three years as of 15.1.2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The salary will be based on the levels 5-6 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (a maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). The starting gross salary will be approx. 3700-4300 € per month (before taxes).
A trial period of 6 months is applied to the position.
How to apply?
Interested? If yes, please apply by 2.12.2025 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.
The application should be written in English and include the following:
- CV, following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
- Cover letter
- List of publications, following the guidelines of the Academy of Finland
- Certificates/Diplomas
- Contact information of 2 persons available for recommendation
- Summary of your PhD-thesis (max 2 pages)
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, such as people of different ages, different genders, and members of different linguistic, cultural, or minority groups.
Contact Information
If You Have Any Further Questions, Please Contact
Professor, Maria Ojala, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Teacher Education, School, and Society (TESS) and Frontiers of Arctic and Global Resilience (FRONT), maria.ojala@oulu.fi
Type of employment Temporary position over 6 months Contract type Full time Number of positions 1 Full-time equivalent 100% City Oulu County Pohjois-Pohjanmaa Country Finland Reference number 2025/635 Published 03.Nov.2025 Last application date 02.Dec.2025
Login and apply
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