Senior Research Fellow / Yliopistotutkija (Suffering and Meliorism in Literature and the Philosophy of Literature, within the Centre of Excellence in Meliorist Philosophy of Suffering)

Tiivistelmä työpaikkailmoituksesta: Tampere University is hiring a Senior Research Fellow in literary studies and/or philosophy of literature for a two-year fixed-term position starting in January 2027. The fellow will research representations of suffering and meliorism, publish scholarly work, collaborate across the Centre of Excellence, and perform 5–10% teaching and administrative duties. Applicants must hold a doctoral degree, have about five years of postdoctoral experience with a strong international publication record, demonstrated leadership and funding track record, and excellent English skills. The starting salary (level 6) is approximately EUR 4,700–4,900 per month, applications must be submitted in English by 11 September 2026, and interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held on 24–25 September 2026. Tämä tiivistelmä on luotu tekoälyn avulla. Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational, and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health, and society. www.tuni.fi/en The Faculty of Social Sciences at Tampere University invites applications for a fixed-term Senior Research Fellow position in literary studies and/or philosophy of literature for a two-year period starting in January 2027 (or as agreed). The position is open within the Centre of Excellence in Meliorist Philosophy of Suffering (MePhiS), funded by the Research Council of Finland, and its research team Suffering and Meliorism in Literature and the Philosophy of Literature . Among the five research teams of MePhiS, four are hosted by the Faculty of Theology at the University of Helsinki, while the team Suffering and Meliorism in Literature and the Philosophy of Literature is hosted by the Faculty of Social Sciences at Tampere University. The Centre offers a supportive and inspiring research environment and excellent opportunities for researchers to develop their careers in an international and interdisciplinary setting. More information about MePhiS is available at: www.helsinki.fi/mephis . MePhiS engages in philosophical and interdisciplinary scholarship that places the concept of suffering at the centre of philosophical reflection and offers conceptual and argumentative tools for a deeper understanding of human engagement with affliction, starting from the meliorist (Lat. melior , better) idea that the world can and should be made better through active human efforts. According to meliorism, a positive outcome is neither guaranteed (optimism) nor impossible (pessimism). The research group on Suffering and Meliorism in Literature and the Philosophy of Literature within MePhiS focuses on literary studies and the philosophy of literature as pathways to a meliorist philosophy of suffering. We take seriously the idea that literature can articulate philosophical questions and shape people’s ways of experiencing , expressing, and coping with suffering. The group critically examines writers and literary traditions associated with optimism, pessimism, and/or meliorism, and analyses literary works that reflect societal anxieties as well as human or non-human suffering arising from war, violence, poverty, marginalisation, the climate crisis, and related challenges. We also investigate how philosophers draw on literature in developing ethical responses to suffering. Position Towards these ends, we invite applications for a Senior Research Fellow with a background in literary studies and/or philosophy of literature with demonstrated interest in advancing research in these fields. The Senior Research Fellow will be responsible for investigating representations of suffering and meliorism in literary and philosophical contexts; developing literary and philosophical analyses of ethical responses to suffering; authoring scholarly publications on the research topic; collaborating with other members of the Centre of Excellence, including through joint publications and other research activities; and contributing to teaching and administrative duties, amounting to approximately 5-10% of the working time. Qualifications We seek candidates with expertise in literary studies and/or philosophy of literature who are interested in advancing the research aims described above. Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field within the humanities or social sciences (e.g., literary studies, philosophy) and have a demonstrated track record of high-quality research and international publications. A Senior Research Fellow typically has at least ca . five years of postdoctoral experience. In addition, applicants should possess the ability to lead a research group, a track record of securing external research funding, and the teaching skills required to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Familiarity with the topics of suffering, optimism, pessimism, or meliorism in literature an