Doctoral Researcher in Anthropology (Marie-Curie Doctoral Network MITIME)

Faculty of Humanities, History, Culture and Communication Studies

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 4000 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based education to build a more sustainable, smarter, and more humane world. The University of Oulu community has about 19,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations. The University of Oulu is ranked in the top 3% of the world’s universities. All our research, education, and community activities are guided by our university’s values and ethical principles.

We are now looking for a Doctoral Researcher in Anthropology to join the Department of Cultural Anthropology, located within the Faculty of Humanities. This position is one of four Oulu-based doctoral researcher positions working on MITIME (“Entanglements of Migration and Time in Post-industrial Urban Europe”). MITIME is an EU-funded (MSCA-DN) doctoral programme focusing on temporal dimensions of migration, inequality, and urban life in post-industrial Europe. It offers international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral training to 15 recruited doctoral researchers across seven partnered European universities.

For more information on MITIME, click here.

About the job

As a doctoral researcher on MITIME, you will conduct original, interdisciplinary research at the intersection of migration, temporality, and labour, leading to a PhD thesis in Cultural Anthropology. The provisional title of this project is ‘Imagining and Representing Urban Pasts and Futures.’ The project explores how histories and legacies of industrialisation and de-industrialisation, alongside past and present labour migration, shape experiences and imaginaries of post-industrial urban landscapes in Europe.

Focusing on a post-industrial setting in Finland and/or Germany, the research will examine how industrial change and shifting urban labour markets shape migrants’ experiences of settlement, belonging, and home-making, as well as processes of urban redevelopment and place-branding. Possible research directions might include, for example, how histories of labour and migration intersect with urban development; how migrants build relationships with local communities and urban labour markets over time; how different understandings of belonging, mobility and temporality shape visions about urban futures; and how municipal and regional actors seek to attract and retain newcomers. Projects may also explore different perspectives and knowledge systems (including Indigenous, translocal, and gender-diverse approaches).

The doctoral project is expected to combine multimodal ethnography (such as interviews, participant observation, and arts-based methods) with critical discourse analysis (of materials such as policy documents and branding initiatives). As part of the MITIME Doctoral Network, you will undertake two secondments. At the City of Oulu, you will investigate policies and initiatives relating to labour migration, urban development, and sustainability; at Ruhr University Bochum, you will work with your co-supervisor on policy analysis and mobile methods for documenting the social geographies of migration, labour, and societal change. Fieldwork is expected to focus primarily on Oulu, Finland, and/or Bochum, Germany. However, applicants may propose alternative case-study locations where they can clearly demonstrate their relevance to the project’s research objectives.

The project will be supervised by Prof. Roger Norum (University of Oulu) and Dr. Katrin Menke (Ruhr University Bochum, Germany).

What we offer

Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us. Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, and an excellent education system. Read more about living in Oulu. Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and your family in settling into Oulu. Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture, and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits here.

We have an HR Excellence in Research -quality label, which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers.

Programme benefits

• A prestigious Marie-Curie position within a dynamic network of universities and societal partners in migration and urban studies.
• A comprehensive training programme combining courses in theory and method, with transferable skills.
• Joint supervision by leading academic experts with interdisciplinary guidance and intellectual support.
• International and intersectoral secondments with non-academic and institutional partners across Europe.
• Strong career-development opportunities across academic, public, and private sectors.
• Structured mentoring, leadership training, and professional development.
• A competitive MSCA salary with mobility and family allowances, and, where applicable, special-needs support.

Who are you?

We welcome applications from highly motivated candidates with a demonstrated capacity for independent and collaborative research and a strong interest in the interdisciplinary study of migration, temporality, and urban inequality. In order to succeed and most benefit from the position, you are expected to demonstrate the following:

• A strong commitment to conducting interdisciplinary and collaborative research in international and cross-sectoral contexts.
• The ability to take initiative, manage research tasks responsibly, and work both independently and as part of a team.
• The capacity to design and complete a doctoral research project within the framework and timeline of the assigned project description, leading to the submission of a PhD thesis and other academic outputs.
• Willingness to contribute to MITIME’s collective research, training, and dissemination activities, including workshops, summer schools, and other network events.
• The capacity to play an active role in conceptualizing, developing, and executing core MITIME project outputs, e.g. scientific articles, reports, conferences.
• Prior experience with the theoretical and methodological dimensions of qualitative research.
• Academic or professional experience relevant to the thematic focus of MITIME.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, attention to detail, and the ability to deliver high-quality written and oral outputs.
• Demonstrated academic writing experience in the social sciences or humanities.
• Excellent English-language communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Willingness and readiness for international mobility, including research secondments, training events, and conference participation.

We also require that you:

• Hold a relevant Master’s degree in anthropology, geography, sociology, or another relevant social science or humanities discipline, completed and formally awarded before the start of the contract.
• Have not previously completed or defended a PhD.
• Have not lived or carried out your main work or studies in Finland for more than 12 months during the 36 months before the position begins (in accordance with Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network regulations). There are a few exceptions, such as compulsory national service, short visits (e.g., holidays), or time spent in processes related to obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention. See also the requirements of the University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS).

We also appreciate:

• A record of scholarly publications (where available).

Salary

The position is fixed-term for 36 months beginning on 1.2.2027. The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary (see individual project descriptions for exceptions) in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Doctoral Candidates. The positions offer support provided in the form of:

• Competitive gross salary (living allowance): €3696,72 per month*
• Mobility allowance: €554,69 per month
• Family allowance, if applicable: €515,63 per month

* To allow for the difference in cost of living in different EU Member States, the base gross salary of €4010 has been adjusted through the application of a correction coefficient based on the country where the position is based. This means that your final gross salary may be more or less than this amount. The coefficients applied can be found on p.156-157 of Annex II Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2024 - 2. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. The gross salary is subject to all compulsory deductions under national legislation of the country of the recruiting institution, such as social security contributions and/or taxes. A trial period of 6 months is applied to the position.

How to apply?

Please apply by Friday, 27 November 2026 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system. The application should be written in English and the requested documents must include the following:

• Motivation Letter (maximum 1 page): Introduce yourself and your qualifications, outline your motivation for applying to the position, and describe your future career objectives.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Include details of educational qualifications, grades achieved in relevant research modules or dissertations, and any other pertinent academic or professional experience. You may (but are not required to) follow the TENK template for researcher CVs.
• Research Proposal (3-6 pages long + abstract, font size 12pt), written in English. Please ensure that your proposed research aligns closely with the focus of the PhD project, ‘Imagining and Representing Urban Pasts and Futures’. General guidelines for preparing a research plan can be found here.
• Degree Certificates: Submit copies of Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas or proof of degree completion. If you are currently enrolled in a Master’s programme, include available transcripts and a statement from your supervisor confirming that you are on track to complete your degree by the commencement of the contract.
• Official Transcripts: Provide final grade transcripts for both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. If transcripts are not in English, include an official translation.
• Proof of English Language Competence: Submit documentation of English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS). Candidates whose first language is English, or who have previously studied in English, should provide a brief justification requesting exemption from this requirement.

The eligible applicants who best fit the profile expected for the position will be invited to an interview. Additional documentation might be requested from candidates to be interviewed. The position is anticipated to begin in February 2027. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, such as people of different ages, different genders, and members of different linguistic, cultural, or minority groups.

Contact Information

You can find more information regarding the programme here. If you have any further questions about this position or about the MITIME programme, please contact the primary supervisor Prof. Roger Norum (roger.norum@oulu.fi).