Senior research fellow

Organisation/Company University of Turku
Research Field Mathematics >
Statistics Sociology >
Socio-economic research Sociology >
Other
Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2)
Final date to receive applications 25 Mar 2026 - 14:00 (UTC)
Country Finland
Type of Contract Temporary
Job Status Full-time
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

The Faculty of Social Sciences, INVEST Flagship Research Centre at the University of Turku invites applications for a contract-based, fixed-term position of Senior Research Fellow for a five-year contract. Employment starts on 1.4.2026 or as agreed.

The position is a part of the Academy of Finland–funded project “Equality of Opportunity in the Era of Social Differentiation and Technological Transformation” (STRATEQ).

The project examines how contemporary social stratification and technological transformation are reshaping Equality of Opportunity (EoO). The focus lies on gendered educational expansion and socioeconomic polarisation in labour markets, as well as on automation and the rapid development of artificial intelligence. The study draws on large-scale comparative data, including EU-SILC across EU member states, Finnish full-population register data (INVEST IFP), German SOEP panel data, and the US Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID).

Automation and AI exposure are measured using occupation- and education-based indices derived from O
* NET data. The project is led by Academy Professor Jani Erola. The project works in close collaboration with another project led by Erola, “The Model of Individual and Shared Family Influences: A New Method for Analyzing Equality of Opportunity” (USFI).

Applicants are expected to have strong and versatile methodological skills, including multilevel models (mixed models), fixed‑effects models, as well as sibling and twin models. The selected researcher is expected to be able to contribute to leading research that uses these methods together with the project’s Principal Investigator. The research teams are international, their working language is primarily English, and they collaborate internationally.

The position includes a teaching obligation (up to 5% of working time).

The primary workplace is the University of Turku, but partial remote work in Finland is also possible.

Who we are looking for

This position of Senior Researcher requires a doctoral degree and the ability to conduct independent scientific work, as well as evidence of scientific research activity and the teaching skills necessary for the position (University of Turku rules of procedure Section 36).

• A doctoral degree in sociology, social policy, economics, statistics, another social science, or another relevant field.
• Strong skills in academic writing.
• Good command of statistical research methods (see methods listed above).
• Good proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, Stata).
• Experience in academic leadership or in supervising postgraduate-level research.

The eligibility requirements for the position must be fulfilled by the end of the application period for the position.

• Previous research experience related to the themes of the project.
• Previous research funding.
• Experience working with register data, panel data, or other complex datasets.

We value collegiality and promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We encourage all qualified applicants with different backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

We offer you responsible and interesting tasks and the opportunity to develop your professional skills in a versatile operating environment. You get a professional and inspiring team to support your work. We take care of your well‑being at work and the functionality of your everyday life, e.g. with the help of flexible working hours and our well‑being services.

• Possibilities to develop your expertise – We encourage our personnel to develop their professional expertise by offering versatile training and competence development possibilities which employees can take advantage of during their working hours. Also, the…