Postdoctoral Research Opportunity: Postdoctoral Researcher in Study of Religion – University of Helsinki

Postdoctoral Research Opportunity: Postdoctoral Researcher in Study of Religion – University of Helsinki

• Institution: University of Helsinki

• Faculty: Faculty of Theology

• Research Centre: Centre of Excellence in Meliorist Philosophy of Suffering (MePhiS)

• Research Team: Future, Futurelessness and Vernacular Responses to Suffering

• Position: Postdoctoral Researcher in Study of Religion

• Position ID: 5238

• Appointment Type: Full-Time, Fixed-Term

• Duration: 3 years

• Trial Period: 6 months

• Location: Helsinki, Finland

• Expected Start: January 2027, or earlier/later as agreed

• Salary / Remuneration: Approximately INR 45.63 lakh – INR 53.06 lakh annually

• Application Deadline: November 1, 2026

Overview of the Opportunity

The Centre of Excellence in Meliorist Philosophy of Suffering (MePhiS) at the University of Helsinki invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Study of Religion.

The position is part of the research team “Future, Futurelessness and Vernacular Responses to Suffering”, which studies religious and non-religious responses to suffering in contemporary society.

The research addresses how individuals and groups respond to uncertainty, crisis, death, climate change, and loss of nature, and how these responses relate to melioristic ideas about improving the world through human action.

Research Focus

The research may address themes including:

• Contemporary religion

• Religious and non-religious responses to suffering

• Future and futurelessness

• Human and non-human death

• Climate change

• Loss of nature

• Contemporary polycrises

• Vernacular religion

• Sociology and anthropology of religion

• Meliorism and suffering

Both empirical and theoretical approaches are encouraged.

Key Responsibilities

The Postdoctoral Researcher will:

• Conduct research within the Study of Religion.

• Pursue the research aims of the MePhiS project.

• Produce scholarly publications independently and collaboratively.

• Collaborate with other members of the Centre of Excellence.

• Participate in joint research activities.

• Contribute to teaching and administrative responsibilities.

Teaching and administrative duties are expected to account for approximately 5–10% of working time.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in a relevant Humanities or Social Sciences discipline, such as:

• Religious Studies

• Anthropology

• Sociology of Religion

• Related fields

Candidates should also demonstrate:

• Expertise in empirical and theoretical Study of Religion.

• Ability to conduct independent scholarly research.

• Teaching skills appropriate to the position.

• Excellent written and spoken English.

• Ability to contribute to the broader academic activities of MePhiS.

Preferred Profile

Preference may be given to candidates with:

• Strong international academic activity.

• High-quality peer-reviewed publications.

• Existing interest in the themes of suffering, meliorism, crisis, religion, and future-oriented responses.

• Expertise complementing the existing MePhiS research team.

The posting specifically asks applicants not to submit AI-generated research proposals.

Salary & Benefits

The annual gross salary is:

EUR 43,000 – EUR 50,000

Approximately:

INR 45.63 lakh – INR 53.06 lakh annually

The final salary includes the University salary-system component plus a personal-performance component.

Benefits include:

• Occupational health care

• Health insurance

• Flexible working hours

• Campus sports facilities

• Professional development opportunities

• Support for international employees relocating to Finland

• Approximately 5–6 weeks of paid holiday equivalent under the annual working-hours system

The appointee is expected to reside in Finland during employment.

Application Checklist

Applicants should submit the following documents in PDF format:

1. Curriculum Vitae – Maximum 3 Pages

   • Include contact details of 2 referees

2. List of Publications

3. Motivation Letter – Maximum 1 Page

   • Explain motivation

   • Relevant expertise

   • Contribution to project aims and collaboration

4. Research Proposal – Maximum 3 Pages

   • Explain alignment of previous and current research with the project

   • Present a research idea

   • Explain how the proposed work fits the team’s themes

   • Include a preliminary publication plan

Letters of recommendation and certificates are not required at this stage.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: November 1, 2026

• Expected Start: January 2027, or as mutually agreed

• Appointment Duration: 3 years

The posting contains a minor time-display inconsistency: one section states 23:56 UTC+3, while the recruitment summary shows 23:59 Europe/Helsinki time. The date itself is consistently November 1, 2026.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system.

Position ID: 5238

Apply here: Link

Academic Contact: Professor Terhi Utriainen
Email: terhi.utriainen@helsinki.fi

Recruitment Contact: recruitment@helsinki.fi

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