Doctoral researcher in global development studies

Tiivistelmä työpaikkailmoituksesta: The University of Helsinki offers a full‑time, fixed‑term (at least three years) doctoral researcher post in the FATE project starting 1 March 2027, requiring residence in Finland and extensive fieldwork periods in Brazil. The appointee will conduct in‑situ fieldwork, media and online ethnography and interviews in Brazil, produce empirical material, publish articles, participate in project communications and organise events, and teach up to 5% of working time. Applicants must hold a master’s degree with excellent grades in a relevant field, have or obtain the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki within six months, be fluent in Portuguese and English, and have prior research or work experience related to the Brazilian Amazon. The annual gross salary is approximately €32,000–€42,000 and applications with the required documents must be submitted via the University of Helsinki recruitment system by 12 November 2026. Tämä tiivistelmä on luotu tekoälyn avulla. The Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Helsinki invites applications for the position of DOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES for a fixed term of at least three years starting on 1 March 2027 (or as agreed). Successful candidates are expected to work full-time. The position is part of the project, F orests A t T ipping points in the E ra of Post-truth and Polycrisis: Insights from Brazil and Finland (FATE) (funded by Research Council of Finland 2024-2030). The FATE project examines deforestation and clearcutting in Brazil and Finland as key contributors to approaching climatic ecological tipping points. Through interviews, participant observation, qualitative documentary analysis and analysis of discourses in official documents and the media, the project creates understanding of the links between post-truth politics and approaching tipping point events, creating a better understanding of the societal effects of tipping points, while aiming to identify ways to mitigate their worst effects. The project is led by Markus Kröger. About the position The appointee will be responsible for the production of research material in Brazil (in-situ fieldwork, media and online ethnography, conducting interviews and observation). The successful candidate will thus be required to spend periods of time in Brazil over the course of their employment. Working closely with the Principal Investigator, the appointee will play a key role in WP which focuses on the role of global climatic ecological tipping points in the political economy and policy-making processes of forests. The appointee will be expected to publish articles, independently and jointly, based on the empirical material produced, as well as participating in project communications, organizing project events and other tasks relating to the project. Duties will also include teaching (up to 5% of annual working time). Qualifications and selection criteria Applicants must hold a master’s degree and thesis with excellent grades in global development studies, social sciences, human geography, or another field relevant to the research topic. They must have proven ability and motivation to pursue postgraduate studies and a doctoral degree according to the study plan and research proposal, evidenced by previous degree studies or other activities. The other key requirements are: Prior expertise in conducting research, working or other major exposure in the context of the Brazilian Amazon forest communities and politics. Fluency or excellent skills in Portuguese and English language The appointee will need to have secured the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki by the start of the appointment, or must apply for the right and obtain it within the six-month probationary period. See: www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/the-application-process-in-a-nutshell. Applicants’ skills and motivation to conduct research on this project will be evaluated on the basis of their application documents and an interview. The successful candidate will have excellent analytic and writing skills and will be able to conduct independent work. While we expect the research plan to align with the key themes of the research project, applicants are encouraged to implement approaches to the topic relevant to their own expertise and scholarly interest. Experience of working or researching in topics related to the topics of the FATE project is welcome, as is prior experience of conducting qualitative and especially ethnographic research. Experience working in the Brazilian Amazon and with communities in rural, forest areas is considered an advantage. The appointee needs to conduct fieldwork in Brazil, thus, speaking Portuguese is a requirement of the position. English is our working language and the appointed person is expected to have advanced skills in spoken and written English. The appointee will be expected to reside in Finland w