Junior Researcher in Arctic Transitions, Energy and Climate Governance
Funded PhD position to explore Arctic resource governance, climate change impacts, and international legal frameworks in multidisciplinary fieldwork.
Best for:Best for early-career researchers with a Master’s in law, policy, geography, or related fields, passionate about Arctic governance, climate policy, and interdisciplinary social science research.
Overview
This PhD position at the University of Lapland’s Faculty of Law offers a unique opportunity to investigate how Arctic climate shifts and resource extraction reshape governance, security, and legal frameworks. The successful candidate will join the Arctic Transitions (AT) project, conducting comparative multidisciplinary research across Arctic nations. The role involves independent research under Principal Investigator supervision, conference presentations, project administration, and potential teaching contributions. Applicants should have a Master’s degree in relevant social sciences or law and strong academic English proficiency. The position is based in Rovaniemi with remote work flexibility, starting August 2027 for a 36-month fixed-term contract.
What you'll do
- Conduct independent multidisciplinary research on Arctic climate governance and resource extraction under Principal Investigator supervision
- Complete PhD requirements within the Faculty of Law, including thesis writing and defense
- Present research findings at national and international conferences
- Assist in planning and organizing an international conference hosted in Rovaniemi
- Support project administration tasks including data collection, analysis, and reporting
- Participate in occasional teaching activities as assigned by the university
- Collaborate with project team members on comparative research across Arctic nations
Requirements
Degree required: Master’s degree in law, policy, geography, economics, environmental studies, sociology, anthropology, science and technology studies, or a related field
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English proficiency at academic level (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent minimum)
Instruction: English
- Proven academic research experience in social sciences or law
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English at academic level
- Ability to conduct comparative multidisciplinary research
- Experience with qualitative or quantitative research methods
- Willingness to conduct fieldwork in Arctic regions
- No specific nationality restrictions mentioned
- Applicants must obtain right to study in Finland prior to starting (unless already obtained)
- No age restrictions mentioned
- No prior experience caps mentioned
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-12-01 (Europe/Helsinki)
Applicants must submit their application through the University of Lapland's electronic application portal. The application package must include a cover letter (max 1 page), CV, and a research proposal (max 2 pages) detailing the proposed legal research region and methodological approach. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed online in December 2026 or January 2027.
- Cover letter (maximum 1 page)
- Curriculum vitae
- Research proposal (max. 2 pages, single spaced, 12-point font)
Contact
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