The Finnish Youth Research Society is an independent academic association founded in 1988. It organizes its research activities via the Finnish Youth Research Network which has operated since 1999. Its core aim is to produce knowledge which is scientifically convincing as well as relevant for youth policy and practice. It employs about 25 people, but the number varies annually, depending on project funding. The office of the Finnish Youth Research Society is in Helsinki, but researchers can work in different locations in Finland.
The Finnish Youth Research Society is now seeking a Research Professor for the field of youth research, starting from 1st of August 2022, or according to agreement.
Description of the position
The purpose of the Research Professor position is to advance youth research as an academic field and as an approach which has a social impact. The position includes a variety of tasks, which are described below.
An essential element of the position is to direct research teams and programmes, including providing support to younger researchers and applying for research funding. The position is intended for an established, high-profile researcher with a broad research approach. The successful applicant will be expected to share their experience and provide a significant contribution to the development of youth research in Finland.
The Research Professor supports the strategic leadership and development of the Finnish Youth Research Society’s research activities together with the Research Director. The Research Professor’s core tasks are the following:
- Seeking funding for, planning and directing research projects and research programmes
- Participating actively in advancing the social and scientific impact of youth research in society, for example in the media
- Supporting the scientific development and networks of the Finnish Youth Research Society’s research personnel
- Advancing the international relations of the Finnish Youth Research Society with other research organizations
- Conducting research and regular publication of research in high-level publications
- Participating actively in the research community and supervising younger researchers
Qualifications
We require
- High-level scientific qualification (professorship, adjunct professor, docent or equivalent) in a suitable scientific field
- Proven success in acquiring research funding
- Experience in directing research projects
- Experience in international research collaboration
- Strong cooperation in networks, particularly within youth research and/or the youth sector
- Research published in high-level publications relevant to youth research
- Active participation in the scientific community
- Strong commitment to Open science and responsible conduct of research
- High societal impact and research dissemination to stakeholders and the media
- Experience in supervision of students or other researchers (e.g. doctoral and master’s theses, postdocs)
- Excellent oral and written language skills in English
We also value
- A broad knowledge of the scientific field and various funding sources
- Experience in academic and applied youth research
- A broad scientific and methodological orientation
- Visions about developing youth research
- Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-method research environments
- Knowledge of the youth sector and youth policy
- Experience in director and supervisory positions
- Good IT skills and readiness to use various virtual tools, including research and conferencing tools
- Demonstrated skills of good cooperation and communication
- A developmental attitude to work and an independent and active approach
- Motivation to constantly update one’s knowledge and skills
- A positive attitude and the ability to handle stressful situations
- Mastery of the official languages of Finland, Finnish and Swedish
We invite applications from the fields of social science, political science, education, history, humanities and other suitable research fields. The applicant’s expertise may be within various themes of youth research. Finnish is the main working language of the Finnish Youth Research Society, but we also welcome international candidates.
We offer
- A unique opportunity to work and network in a dynamic research environment. The Finnish Youth Research Society is a well-known expert institution in the field of youth research in Finland, and it has a good reputation internationally.
- A diverse combination of tasks in a dynamic research community, as well as an opportunity to advance and develop youth research.
The Finnish Youth Research Society engages in research and publishing activities. We promote the well-being of our personnel by offering flexible working-hours, practices that assist the combination of family and working life, work supervision and additional training. We also offer vouchers for cultural and sports activities. We are committed to a non-discriminatory recruitment and personnel policy.
How to apply
The application will take place in two stages, the first of which is an intent application.
In order to be considered, please complete and submit the online form (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.).
The following documents are required to be attached to the online form:
- Letter of intent: your vision for working in the position of Research Professor
- Motivation letter: a compilation of your most notable achievements and activities from the viewpoint of the research professorship, and your review of your activities in a multi-disciplinary research environment
- CV (according to the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK guidelines (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.))
- List of publications (according to the Academy of Finland guidelines (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.))
The deadline for submitting applications is Wednesday, 13th of October 2021, at 4.00 p.m. EET (UTC +2).
The applications will be reviewed by the recruitment committee, which may invite some applicants for an interview. After the review process, some of the applicants will be invited to participate in the second round. In the second round, applicants will be required to send in additional information, including the ten most important publications and a work plan for the next five years in the Research Professor position. The relevant documents will be reviewed by external reviewers.
More information
Inquiries about the position and application process:
Research Director Sinikka Aapola-Kari
e-mail: sinikka.aapola-kari@youthresearch.fi
tel. +358 44 416 5303
Available to receive calls at the following times only:
Thursday 9 September, at 10–12 a.m. EET
Tuesday 21 September, at 1–2.30 p.m. EET
Thursday 7 October, at 1–3 p.m. EET
Professor, Chairperson of the Board Päivi Honkatukia
e-mail: paivi.honkatukia@tuni.fi
tel. +358 50 326 8458
Available to receive calls at the following times only:
Wednesday 15 September, at 2–4 p.m. EET
Tuesday 28 September, at 12–2 p.m. EET
Practical issues
The monthly pay is a minimum of EUR 5200 and a maximum of EUR 7000, depending on the achievement level. A six-month trial period will be applied.
The Research Professor will be expected to start working on the 1st of August 2022, or as agreed, provided that the Ministry of Education and Culture provides the Finnish Youth Research Society with sufficient funds.
The main location of work is the Finnish Youth Research Society’s office in Pasila in Helsinki, but it is also possible to conduct remote work to some extent, which is to be negotiated with the Research Director.