"Doctoral researcher"

Swedish School of Social Science at the University of Helsinki invites applications for the position of Doctoral researcher for a fixed term period of 4 years. The position is part of the Research Council of Finland funded research project ‘Manicuring Intimacy: Feminised labour, (self-)care, and racialised encounters in nail salons’ (INTIMATE, 2025-2029). The position starts 1.1.2026 or as agreed and is located at the Helsinki city center campus.

ABOUT THE POSITION
This project examines an understudied field of nail salons in Europe, an employment sector that is primarily run by migrant women. The global nail salon industry has grown rapidly in recent years, fuelled by increasing consumer demand for self-care and the expansion of the service sector. This market is mainly composed of small businesses owned and staffed by migrant women, primarily from Eastern Europe (e.g. Ukraine, Belarus, Russia) and Southeast Asia (e.g. Thailand and Vietnam). The project combines participant observations and interviews with workers and customers of nail salons in Helsinki to analyse forms of racialized intimacy that is made and unmade among women through touch, beauty and (self-)care.

The doctoral researcher will undertake an independent project on Asian nail salons in Helsinki that will lead to a PhD dissertation. The doctoral researcher will participate in the collection and analysis of the empirical materials, scientific publishing, organisation of project events and communication. The successful candidate should apply to the Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences and obtain the study right within the trial period of six months of their employment contract (if they do not yet have the study right).

The tasks of the doctoral researcher also include contributing to teaching (up to 5% of their working time annually).

QUALIFICATIONS
The doctoral researcher must hold a Master’s degree in Sociology or other relevant discipline and have sufficient knowledge or be interested in acquiring sufficient knowledge in feminist studies and/or critical migration studies. Skills in ethnographic research is a plus. The candidate is expected to obtain the study right in the Doctoral Programme within the trial period of six months of their employment contract. The applicants’ skills and motivation to complete a doctoral degree are evaluated on basis of application documents and interview.

In addition, the doctoral researcher needs to have relevant language skills (e.g. Thai, Vietnamese) to be able to conduct interviews with the workers of nail salons. Working at the university requires strong communication and academic writing skills in English. The administrative language at the Swedish School of Social Science is Swedish. English is used as a supplementary language.

The University of Helsinki is committed to promoting equality and preventing discrimination in all its operations.

WHAT WE OFFER
We offer an attractive and diverse workplace in an inspiring environment with a variety of development opportunities and benefits. The position is located at the Swedish School of Social Science (Soc&kom), which is an independent unit at the University of Helsinki. Soc&kom’s vision is to be an internationally and nationally recognized player in research besides educating experts in Swedish (and English), who understand social development and can contribute to a democratic, fair and sustainable future society. The Centre for Research on Ethnic Relations and Nationalism (CEREN) is situated in Soc&kom. Working in the research project offers a high-class and supportive research environment, opportunities for national and international networking, and experience of societal interaction.

The position is full time and funded up to 4 years. The salary is defined in accordance with the University salary system for teaching and research personnel. The monthly gross salary for the doctoral researcher position in the beginning of the PhD work will be approximately 2640 - 2800 € depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.

University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and opportunities for professional development. The employment contract will include a probationary period of six months.

HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your application, together with the required attachments, through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the "Apply now" button. Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications the following documents as pdf-files: 1. A curriculum vitae, 2. Cover letter, including a description of the applicant’s research interests and contributions to the project (max. 500 words), 3. A research plan (max. 6 pages), 4. Degree certificate: Master’s degree, 5. Contact information of two persons available for recommendation. The closing date for the applications is 30.9.2025. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed. For queries regarding the position, get in touch with Dr. Daria Krivonos at daria.krivonos@helsinki.fi. If you have any questions, need assistance, or require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact HR Specialist Minna Toivonen at hr-sskh@helsinki.fi.