The Department of Biodiversity Sciences at the University of Turku invites applications for a doctoral researcher/project researcher to work in the ERC-funded NATURETIME project. The doctoral researcher/project researcher position is offered a fixed-term full-time contract for 48 months (4 years). Employment begins on January ,1 2027, at the earliest, and no later than April 1, 2027.
The doctoral researcher/project researcher will be working with the Biodiversity and Sustainability Solutions (BISONS) Lab. Our research team aims to contribute toward finding solutions for sustainable futures that can benefit people and nature. We focus on developing new insights on human-nature interactions and using that information to enhance biodiversity conservation and sustainability efforts. We are a growing international and interdisciplinary research group and draw from a range of approaches for our research, with a strong focus on digital data and methods.
The successful candidate is expected to benefit from and collaborate with other team members, including the PI and approximately ten other researchers (MSc and PhD students, post-docs and project researchers), as well as with an extended network of international collaborators.
Job description
The selected candidate will be working under the ERC-funded project entitled “Understanding how nature reshapes human sense of time to foster well-being and sustainable futures” (NATURETIME). The project aims to understand how nature experiences influence human time perception and how time perception influences human behaviours towards nature. For this, the project will use virtual-reality experiments to understand how specific landscape features and nature experiences influence human time perception, and validate experimental results using real-world data obtained with citizen science. The project will also model the effects of nature on time perception at the landscape scale under different scenarios and employ behavioural experiments and Big Data analytics to understand how changes in time perception influence pro-environmental and sustainable behaviours. NATURETIME aims to generate actionable knowledge that can inform the design of cities and other living environments in a manner that improves human time perception regulation, boosts well-being, and stimulates the positive and sustainable behaviours needed to address ongoing environmental challenges.
The research will be developed within the broader scientific objectives of NATURETIME. The specific focus of the work will be further developed together with the supervisory team, allowing the researcher to contribute intellectually to the development of the research while working within the overall scope of the project.
The ideal candidate has a strong background in psychology, but other related areas may also be considered. The candidate should be able to demonstrate quantitative data analysis skills and a good understanding of experimental research design. Additionally, previous research experience or demonstrated interest in either time psychology or environmental psychology are advantageous. Earlier involvement in experiments using Virtual Reality (VR) environments is also considered beneficial. Experience or training in programming languages (e.g., R or Python) for data-analysis and willingness to develop these skills is considered an advantage. Evidence of capacity to communicate research to academic or non-academic audiences (e.g. scientific publications, presentations, popular articles, etc.) are considered an advantage. The successful candidate is not expected to have prior expertise in all methods used in the project and the position provides opportunities to develop further expertise in experimental research, quantitative methods, digital research tools, and interdisciplinary research.
The doctoral researcher will be responsible for carrying out laboratory experiments in VR environments in collaboration with other project researchers. Other responsibilities include tasks related to participant recruitment, the planning of the experiments, data collection, and research documentation. The doctoral researcher will also be responsible for analysing the data obtained, interpreting the results and preparing scientific manuscripts for publication. The work will include appropriate research data management and adherence to research ethics and reproducible research practices. Willingness to participate and support teaching and supervision activities (no more than 5% of full-time working hours) is considered an advantage.
Who we are looking for
The job requirements for the position include:
- A master’s degree (MSc or equivalent) in psychology or other related relevant fields. A research focus on either time or environmental psychology is desirable,
- Motivation to conduct research with the aim of a dissertation,
- Demonstrated quantitative data analysis skills,
- A good understanding of experimental research design and/or experience conducting research with human participants,
- Excellent communication skills in English and Finnish, both spoken and written.
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively, both independently and as part of a team.
- For this position you should either have a study right for doctoral studies in the University of Turku or you will apply for one in Autumn 2026.
Other desirable criteria include:
- Experience in subjective time perception and subjective well-being assessments (e.g. questionnaires, timing experiments),
- Experience using Virtual Reality technology in laboratory experiments,
- Experience in analysing eye-tracking and/or ECG data,
- Experience with statistical programming tools (e.g. R, Python) for data analysis,
- Familiarity with reproducible research workflows, research data management, and/or open science practices,
- Demonstrated interest in human-nature interactions and/or sustainability topics,
- Previous experience in communicating research to academic and/or non-academic audiences (e.g. scientific manuscripts, presentations, popular articles, etc.),
- Demonstrated interest in teaching development and implementation, as well as student/researcher supervision.
The position requires working in Finland, and the place of work is Turku. Our workplace values equality and diversity, and therefore, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.
Benefits
We offer you responsible and interesting tasks and the opportunity to develop your professional skills in a versatile operating environment. You get a professional and inspiring team to support your work. We take care of your well-being at work and the functionality of your everyday life, e.g. with the help of flexible working hours and our well-being services.
- Possibilities to develop your expertise – We encourage our personnel to develop their professional expertise by offering versatile training and competence development possibilities which employees can take advantage of during their working hours. Also, the course offering of Open University is free of charge for our personnel.
- Your well-being is important to us! – In addition to comprehensive occupational health care, our own well-being services monitor, support and develop the well-being of our personnel. You are entitled to use the CampusSport’s services at a personnel price.
- We support your work-life balance – Flexible working hours and extensive remote work options help you balance work and leisure time.
- An inspiring and supportive work community – We encourage each other and value working together!
Please read more about University of Turku as an employer from our Come work with us! pages.
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Salary and trial period
The salary is determined by the collective agreement system of Finnish universities, aligning with the research personnel category. Salary for a doctoral researcher will be in levels 2-4 and personal performance will be added to task-specific salary. The salary will commensurate with qualifications and experience and basis on the University salary system and will in the beginning of the employment be approximately 2 500 –2 800 € / month.
The salary is determined when the employment contract is drawn up. The position is subject to a six (6) month trial period.
How to apply
Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is August 31 at 16.00 (Europe/Helsinki). Applications will be processed shortly after the application period.
Applications should include:
- Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
- CV (max. 3 pages)
- Research statement outlining research interests and future aims (max. 1 page)
- Degree certificates
- Any other relevant documents
Further information
For more information on the position, please contact Associate Professor Ricardo Henriques Correia raheco(at)utu.fi
For questions related to the application process, please contact HR Specialist Saija Marjasto saija.marjasto(at)utu.fi
