Postdoctoral researcher - Transformative policy analysis

Are you an expert on transdisciplinary policy analysis and sustainability transformations? Come and join us in developing proactive and transformative environmental policy research.

The task focuses on the research of EU-level policies and especially on the analysis of EU-Finland-level dynamics. Your applied research and expected results support the development of evaluation of impacts and transformation of policies at the national and EU level. Your work also strengthens the conceptual and practical approaches of transformative policy evaluation.

The post-doctoral researcher explores and develops the transformative policy analysis of sustainability transformation policies. The task focuses on the coherence of EU policies and the dynamics between the EU and national levels. The task promotes the evaluation of overall societal sustainability, and it is possible to co-create evaluation practices and approaches with various stakeholders to promote societal resilience and sustainability transformation.

This postdoc position is part of Postdoctoral Programme for Research Institutes. The Programme has been granted 40 million euros in funding based on the Finnish government's multi-annual research and development (R&D) funding plan. This funding enables recruitment of 85 PhD-level experts to 12 Finnish government research institutes between 2025 and 2028. The aim of the Programme is to strengthen RDI competence in areas important to society. Postdoctoral researcher will conduct goal-oriented high-level research at the interface between the academic community, industry and administration. The Programme supports postdoctoral researcher’s networking and mobility between sectors.

The task will be positioned to Societal change unit. Finnish Environment Institute, Syke, maintains offices in Helsinki, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, and Oulu. You can express your wish concerning the office location among the offices of the Societal change unit: Helsinki, Joensuu or Jyväskylä. We work in an open space office and activity-based environment, but flexible remote working is our working standard today.

Our expectations of the applicant

You have both theoretical understanding and practical experience on interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral policy analysis and evaluation. You have a command of methods of social, economic sciences and/or sustainability science. You are familiar with integration of different research approaches, such as qualitative and quantitative approaches. Knowledge of transformative policy analysis and evaluation is considered an advantage. You know how to plan and implement interdisciplinary research and you understand the challenges of implementing and managing interdisciplinary research. You have extensive collaboration networks in your research theme, and you understand the importance of networks from the perspective of impactful research.

A Post Doc level researcher has completed their PhD within the last 10 years and has a minimum of 5 years of research work experience (including prior to completing the PhD and after it). They master research methods in their own field and have an ability to work as a researcher relatively independently.

A person who has received permission to defend their dissertation before submitting the application can also be selected for the position. A person already working at the research institute can also be selected for the position. This postdoc position can be filled by a younger researcher who has recently completed their doctorate, or a more experienced researcher who has already conducted independent research work, e.g. via leading small projects. A person's experience affects the determination of salary.

You are analytical, enthusiastic and collaborative. You are open to new research topics and actively follow the development of your own field of research. You have the ability and desire to work in interdisciplinary research groups as well as in applied research. You adapt to different teamwork situations and take responsibility for achieving the group's goals. Working at the science-policy interface is pleasant and natural for you. You have good time management skills also in changing scheldules, and you understand your own role in promoting well-being at work.
You need good English skills in the task.

Language skills needed in the position

• English
  • Speaking: Good
  • Writing: Good
  • Understanding: Good

We offer youSyke has a culture that supports learning and offers the opportunity for versatile competence development. We have flexible working hours and flexible remote working practices in Finland. In addition to a collective ways of doing research and supervision from the manager. We offer sports and culture benefits, a subsidised lunch in contract canteens and comprehensive occupational health care.

Contact Information

Soile Kulmala (November 12nd 14-16, November 14th 14-16, November 15th 10-12)
Group manager
+358 405 147 790
soile.kulmala@syke.fi

Riikka Paloniemi (November 13th 9-12)
Unit director
+358 295 251 493
riikka.paloniemi@syke.fi

How to apply

Primarily, we request applicants to submit their applications electronically via the Valtiolle.fi service. However, you can also apply for this job by delivering your application to the Registry Office’s postal address. Both the application and the envelope must feature the ID number of the position applied for. The letter must be delivered by the end of the application period.

Organisation

The Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) supports the building of a sustainable society with research, information, and services. We bear global responsibility and ambitiously seek to make an impact. Our objective is sustainability transformation! The society needs immediate decisions to build a better world fairly and cross-generationally. We offer our expertise for this change.

We are working to stop biodiversity loss and climate change. We promote a sustainable circular economy and urban structure, as well as a good state of the seas and inland waters. Our search for new, research-based solutions is creative and enthusiastic. We value constructive teamwork and the diversity of our work community: we invest in equality. Syke is a state research institute with 700 experts and researchers working in Helsinki, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, and Oulu. Our research is largely funded through competitive research funding instruments.

Location
Helsinki, Joensuu, Jyväskylä