Junior Researcher (1 funded PhD position) Arctic Transitions, Energy and Climate Governance Horizons in the Far North

The aim of the Arctic Transitions (AT) project is to critically examine how rapidly changing climatic conditions and a race to extract rare and valuable earth materials have made Arctic regions the focus of new extractive possibilities, as well as a laboratory for testing who controls these possibilities.

To meet this aim, the AT project is hiring a team to conduct comparative multidisciplinary research at locations across Arctic nations to explore:

• How and why changing climatic conditions and new resource demands are shaping extraction activities, infrastructures, security configurations, and governance arrangements.
• The impact of these activities and arrangements on the people and communities who live in these regions.
• How and why energy security and energy transition narratives are being mobilised, by whom, and to what end.
• How and why these activities, infrastructures, configurations and arrangements are connected to, and entangled with, international legal provisions and flows of capital.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to be a core junior member of a cutting-edge research team, in an area of research that is fast-moving and of geopolitical significance.

It is a full-time, funded, 36-month research position, based in Rovaniemi (Finland), with the possibility of remote working. The prospective start date is August 2027.

Work tasks

The successful candidate will be a core member of the Arctic Transitions team. They will carry out independent research, and work in close collaboration with the project’s Principal Investigator (PI). In particular, the selected candidate will:

• Conduct independent research under the supervision of the PI.
• Complete the requirements for the successful completion of their PhD in the Faculty of Law.
• Present research results at national and international conferences.
• Contribute to the planning of an international conference to be hosted in Rovaniemi.
• Contribute to AT project planning and project administration.
• Participate in other duties related to the role assigned by the employer. Tasks in teaching may occur to a small extent.

Competence

Prospective candidates must:

• Have a Master’s degree in law, policy, geography, economics, environmental studies, sociology, anthropology, science and technology studies, or related field.
• Be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English at an academic level.

Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking Finnish will be considered a merit.

What we offer

• An opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary research team.
• An opportunity to conduct funded primary data collection (qualitative, quantitative, mixed method, etc.).
• An opportunity to be a part of an international university community.
• Modern work equipment and facilities.
• A stable organisation to work in.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Extensive occupational health services.
• Sport, culture, and wellbeing benefits.

Application

Prospective candidates should submit their application via the University’s electronic application form below. Applications must include:

1. Cover letter (maximum 1 page)
2. Curriculum vitae (cv)
3. Research proposal (max. 2 pages, single spaced, 12-point font)

Research proposals should include:

• The region and/or location of the proposed legal research.
• The methodological approach to data collection and analysis.

Short-listed candidates selected for an interview will be contacted by email. Interviews will be conducted online in December 2026 and/or January 2027.

The successful candidate will be required to obtain the right to study in Finland (unless already obtained), prior to starting their study period, beginning in August 2027. See the following page for further information on applying for the right to study: https://ulapland.fi/en/for-students/registration/study-rights/

Information

For further information about the position, please contact Sean Field, Principal Investigator at firstname.lastname@ulapland.fi and +358 4014 95972. Candidates are encouraged to get in touch with the PI prior to submitting their application.

Workplace address: Yliopistonkatu 8, 96300 ROVANIEMI
Duration of employment: 36 months 01.08.2027 - 31.07.2030
Work hours: full-time employment
Trial period: 6 months

Salary: The university’s salary system is made up of a task-specific salary component namely the demand level and a personal salary component namely the performance percentage. The task-specific salary for a junior researcher ranges from demand level 2 (2 331,67 €/ month) to demand level 3 (2 561,23 €/ month). The personal salary component can typically range from 19,1% to 30%. The starting salary for Junior Researcher ranges between 2 777,02 € / month (demand level 2, performance 19,1%) and 3050,42 € / month (demand level 3, performance 19,1%).

Salary: 2777.02 - 3329.60 €/Monthly

Indicative starting salary calculated with demand level 2, performance 19,1% - demand level 3, performance 30%

Apply between 5 October 2026 and 1 December 2026 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Employment type: fixed-term

Published: 2026-10-09

Application deadline: 2026-12-01 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)