Postdoctoral Researcher, Understanding just sustainability transformations from queer perspectives

The Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Helsinki invites applications for the position of

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER on Understanding and redefining just sustainability transformations from disability perspectives

for a fixed term period for the duration of 3 years, starting in Sept. 2025 or as agreed.

This position is part of an ERC Consolidator Grant awarded to Associate Professor Guido Caniglia (Principal Investigator) for the project: "Whose sustainability? Understanding and redefining just sustainability transformations from disability and queer perspectives" (WEIRD). By foregrounding and leveraging disability and queer perspectives around environmental sustainability, WEIRD aims to (a) critically appraise the way in which we usually think about sustainability transformations, (b) empirically understand how people with disability and from gender and sexual minorities are enacting and prefiguring alternative, just, and more environmentally sustainable futures, and (c) creatively redefine and generate new theories of justice in sustainability transformations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The postdoctoral researcher will engage actively and creatively with the complex interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary design of the project. The researcher will conduct empirical and theoretical work at the intersection of environmental sustainability and disability studies. Under the guidance of the Principal Investigator, the postdoctoral researcher will conduct research in the disability track of WEIRD as well as coordinate synergies with the queer track of the project. The main TASKS for the researcher over the three years duration of the contract will be:

1. Scope, map, and collect initiatives at the disability-environmental intersection globally for the development of an Atlas of disability (and queer) environmental initiatives.
2. Analyze and interpret the discourses, practices, and narratives that are being developed around the intersection of disability and environmental justice and action.
3. Work on the theoretical synthesis of the results of the project towards the redefinition of just sustainability transformations from disability (and queer) perspectives.
4. Contribute to the development of ethical and methodological principles and guidelines for disability and queer environmental research.
5. Contribute to the development of pedagogical material for the training of graduates and early-career researchers doing disability and queer environmental research.

Over the course of the three years, the researcher will also develop their own line of investigation about the intersection of disability and environmental sustainability from their specific disciplinary background and interest. This can include the use of creative and arts-based methodologies.

In addition, the researcher will actively contribute to teaching, PhD supervision within WEIRD, and administrative tasks in the discipline of Social and Public Policy at the University of Helsinki (up to 5% of their working time annually). It is possible to complete the teaching and administrative tasks in English.

QUALIFICATIONS

An appointee to the position must hold a doctoral degree with a focus on disability studies, in the environmental humanities or in the environmental social sciences. The appointed researcher will also have a strong motivation to develop their profile at the intersection of disability and environmental studies.

The default assumption is that the doctoral degree requirement must be met by the beginning of the employment. The period following the completion of the doctoral degree must not exceed three years, excluding family leave and equivalent periods of absence. Applicants must have strong theoretical interests, qualitative methods skills and an excellent command of written and spoken English.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES

Overall, the post-doctoral researcher will have:

• Excellent skills in working with qualitative methods and mixed methods.
• Capacity to work collaboratively in a diverse and interdisciplinary research group.
• Ethical sensitivity and competence to work with vulnerable populations and minorities.

Successful applicants will demonstrate excellent methodological and academic writing skills. Strong organizational skills are required to plan and conduct fieldwork independently as well as to contribute to the organization and facilitation of workshops. As the postdoctoral researchers will also be working as a team with other researchers, including PhD students, it is essential that applicants demonstrate excellent collaboration and communication skills.

WHAT WE OFFER

University of Helsinki is an equal opportunity employer and offers an attractive and diverse workplace with a variety of development opportunities and benefits. The annual gross salary range will be approx. €44,000 – €48,000, depending on the appointee's qualifications and experience. Standard Finnish pension benefits and occupational health care are provided for university employees. The employment contract will include a probationary period of six months. The project will pay careful attention to reasonable accommodation measures to persons with disabilities.

HOW TO APPLY

The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and minorities.

Please submit your application, together with the required attachments, through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the link "Apply now". Use your current email address to register to the Recruitment System. Only applicants who are currently employed by the University of Helsinki are requested to submit their application via the link "Employee login". The closing date for applications is February 15, 2025.

Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications the following documents in English:

1. A curriculum vitae that includes all publications and the names, positions and contact details of two referees;
2. A cover letter (max 1 page) highlighting their motivation to be part of WEIRD as well as capacities and qualities that make them a good fit with the project;
3. A research statement (max 2 pages) outlining how the applicant would address the tasks highlighted in the section RESPONSIBILITIES;
4. A statement (max 1 page) about how they would contribute to the development of the intersection of disability and environmental issues from their own research and disciplinary background.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed between the end of February and early March 2023.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the positions and the research project may be obtained by emailing the PI of WEIRD: guido.caniglia@helsinki.fi

TOPIC AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

A major adagio of the Sustainable Development Goals is "Leave no one behind" implying that actions addressing the sustainability challenges of our time should not be only ecologically beneficial, but also emancipatory for the most vulnerable and marginalized. Yet, many vulnerable and marginalized groups are often left behind in sustainability research and actions. This project aims to understand and redefine the often-neglected contributions of disability and queer scholarship and societal initiatives around sustainability towards new theories, methodologies, and ethics of just and emancipatory sustainability transformations.

APPROACH AND RESEARCH DESIGN OF THE PROJECT

The research design of the project is organized in two main tracks: the first looking at the intersection of environmental sustainability and disability and the second investigating the intersection of environmental sustainability and queer. Both tracks are highly interdisciplinary as they engage in integrated ways with different academic disciplines.