About the opportunity
The Centre of Excellence in Meliorist Philosophy of Suffering (MePhiS), funded by the Research Council of Finland, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in Legal History. The role is based within the ‘History of Ethics and Law of Responding to Suffering’ research team at the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Theology. The project explores how historical crisis situations, such as wars and natural catastrophes, challenged ethical and legal norms in medieval and early modern periods. The researcher will conduct independent and collaborative scholarly work, contribute to publications, and engage in teaching and administrative duties (5-10% of working time). The position is fixed-term for three years, with a six-month trial period for new employees.
Salary and benefits
- Annual gross salary of €43,000 – €50,000
- Performance-based salary component
- Approximately 5-6 weeks of paid holiday per year
- Occupational health care and health insurance
- Flexible working hours
- Access to campus sports facilities
- Opportunities for professional development
- Support for international employees with transition to Finland
Who can apply?
- Doctoral degree in a relevant field within the humanities or social sciences
- Expertise in legal history, specializing in the medieval or early modern period
- Ability to conduct independent scholarly work
- Necessary teaching skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
- Must be prepared to reside in Finland while employed
Required documents
- CV (max. 3 pages, including contact details of two referees)
- List of publications
- Letter of motivation (max. 1 page)
- Research proposal (max. 3 pages) including alignment with project aims, research idea, and publication plan
When to apply
- Application deadline: 30 September 2026 (at 23:56 UTC+3)
How to apply
- Submit the application through the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system via the official job portal link
- Current University of Helsinki employees must apply through the SAP Fiori Suffeli recruitment portal
Additional information
- The position starts in January 2027 or earlier/later as agreed
- The working language of MePhiS is English
- International academic activities and high-quality peer-reviewed publications are prioritized during assessment
- The University of Helsinki encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Researchers with a doctoral degree in humanities or social sciences specializing in legal history of the medieval or early modern period
- Candidates seeking a structured three-year postdoctoral appointment with embedded teaching and administrative duties
- Scholars with excellent English communication skills and a desire to work in an international academic team
What should you think carefully about?
- Residing in Finland during the employment period is required
- The contract includes a standard six-month trial period for new university employees
- Assessment prioritizes international peer-reviewed publications and active scholarly engagement
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This three-year position supports early-to-mid career development by offering protected time for historical research, peer-reviewed publishing, and academic collaboration.
Our take
Early-career legal historians focused on medieval or early modern contexts who are willing to relocate to Helsinki will find this fellowship highly rewarding.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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