Doctoral Researcher on Education-Related Inequalities

Tiivistelmä työpaikkailmoituksesta: The University of Helsinki is hiring a Doctoral Researcher on education-related inequalities for a fixed term of approximately 3.5 years from 18 January 2027 to 30 August 2030 at the Helsinki Institute for Demography and Population Health. The appointee will conduct doctoral research in one or more areas (intergenerational social stratification, population health, electoral participation, and synthesis), contribute to project implementation and publications, maintain data infrastructure, and perform up to 5% teaching duties. Applicants must hold a relevant master’s degree, have strong quantitative methods skills, be able to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki (or obtain this right within six months), have strong written English, and are expected to reside in Finland. The starting monthly gross salary is approximately €2,700–€3,300 with standard Finnish benefits, and applications including a CV, numbered list of publications and a 1–2 page statement of interest must be submitted by 19 November 2026. Tämä tiivistelmä on luotu tekoälyn avulla. The Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Helsinki invites applications for the position of A DOCTORAL RESEARCHER ON EDUCATION-RELATED INEQUALITIES for a fixed term period of approximately 3.5 years, starting from 18 January 2027 until 30 August 2030 (or as agreed). The position is situated in the Helsinki Institute for Helsinki Institute for Demography and Population Health and is a part of the Research Council of Finland funded project Education – a Universal Solvent? Towards a Cross-Disciplinary Synthesis that investigates educational differences across four research areas 1) intergenerational social stratification, 2) population health, and 3) electoral participation as well as seeks 4) synthesis and synergies between these three research traditions. The appointee will conduct research toward their doctoral thesis in one or more of the four research areas (1–4) defined above, with the aim of producing a doctoral dissertation, typically consisting of three peer-reviewed scientific articles and a summary. Working together with the principal investigator, the appointee will have a key role in the project implementation, including conducting and publishing research jointly, as well as other project tasks, such as maintaining its data infrastructure and communication. Additionally, the work duties include teaching or related activities as agreed with the needs of the Institute (up to 5% of annual working time). The project research takes advantage of two types of data sources. First, Finnish census and population register data that are unique internationally in that they longitudinally combine individual and family data of a full national population for over 50 years. Second type of data used consists of Finnish population representative epidemiological cohort studies and twin studies that contain behavioural, clinical and genetic information, which are also linked to register-based information. The project is led by Hannu Lahtinen. QUALIFICATIONS The appointee to the position must hold a master’s degree in demography, public health/epidemiology, quantitative sociology or political science, philosophy, statistics, population genetics or another relevant field by the beginning of the employment. For a successful applicant, strong quantitative methods skills are required. Following are not considered necessary but can be advantageous in the job: • Experience in working with Finnish or other national register-based data infrastructure. • Experience in working with genotyped data is also considered an advantage, particularly if the applicant specializes in research area 2. • For an applicant specializing in research area 4, also more theoretical or meta-empirical (e.g. meta-analysis and systematic literature review methods) research focus is an option. The appointee must have the ability and motivation to pursue postgraduate studies following a study plan and research proposal. The appointee must either hold a right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki or obtain it within the six-month probationary period. The appointee needs to have a strong command of written English. The appointee is expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki. The International Staff Unit provides assistance in relocation. WHAT WE OFFER We are an equal opportunity employer and offer an attractive and diverse workplace in an inspiring environment with a variety of development opportunities and benefits. The appointee will receive active research feedback, thesis supervision and similar support within the research project and wider research group, as well as opportunities for international collaboration and scientific publishing. The starting monthly gross salary range will be approximately €2,700-€3,300 depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. In addition, University of He