Postdoctoral fellow in Sámi and/ or Indigenous research

Description of the unit

Várdduo – Centre for Sámi research is a unit at Umeå University that coordinates and initiates research in and about Sápmi, with a focus on Sámi and other Indigenous cultures,  societies, histories and languages. It is a meeting place for researchers and PhD students from various disciplines, with research interests connected to Sámi or other Indigenous issues. Várdduo provides an inspiring research environment and constitutes a valuable platform for creative exchanges that enriches research. As a unique competence center for Sámi research in Sweden, research communication is a central part of Várdduo’s work. Read more about Várdduo at: https://www.umu.se/vardduo-centrum-for-samisk-forskning/ .

At Várdduo research is currently carried out in areas such as history, land rights and conflicts, natural resource exploitation, education and health. However, we welcome projects with other research directions.

In connection with developments in Indigenous studies internationally,  as well as research ethical perspectives, many activities at Várdduo are characterized by collaboration with Indigenous communities, and importance is placed on sharing research results with Indigenous communities.

Várdduo - Centre for Sámi research is now looking for a postdoctoral fellow to conduct research with Sámi and/or other Indigenous themes. The employment is a full-time fixed-term position for two years starting as soon as possible or according to agreement.

Job tasks

The postdoctoral fellow will conduct independent research with Sámi and/or other Indigenous themes. The outcome of the postdoctoral research is expected to be published  as articles in international scientific journals.

In addition to conducting research, the job tasks include contributing to the development of Várdduo's research environment by actively participating in seminars and other research activities as well as participating in unit-related meetings/activities. Teaching may occur to an extent of maximum 20%.

Qualifications 

To qualify as a postdoctoral fellow, a completed doctoral degree is required, or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree, within a field relevant to their planned research project. This qualification requirement must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the employment decision. 

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no more than three years prior to the application deadline. If there are special reasons, candidates who have completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointments/assignments relevant to the subject area. 

Postdoctoral fellows who wish to teach or supervise doctoral researchers must have taken relevant courses in teaching and learning, and supervision in higher education.

A precondition is that the applicant has not previously been employed as a postdoctoral fellow at Umeå University for more than a year within the same or equivalent discipline.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate documented ability for independent research work and skills in writing scholarly articles and reports in Swedish and/or English. Applicants must also have good oral and written communication skills in Swedish and/or English.

Good collaboration skills and the ability to work independently as well as a solution-oriented approach are requirements for the employment.

In the assessment of the applicants, primary importance will be given to the research merits, and secondarily to the quality and feasibility of the research plan.

Additional qualifications

Previous research experiences of relevance for the planned project within Sámi research and/or other Indigenous research together with a conscious approach to research ethical issues within Indigenous research, are considered merits for the employment.

Sámi linguistic and cultural competence is also considered a merit.

Further, previous work with research questions that have a high degree of relevance for the Sámi community and/or other Indigenous communities is considered a merit.

Application

The application must include:

• A cover letter including the applicant’s motivation for applying for the position and how they can contribute to developing Sámi research/Indigenous research at Várdduo and Umeå University
• A short summary of previous research experiences (max. 2 pages) where it must be clearly stated how these experiences are relevant to the planned project within Sámi research/Indigenous research
• A research plan for the postdoctoral period (max. 10 pages) in which applicants describe their planned work in the area, including a timetable and a publication plan. The plan must reflect a conscious approach to research ethical issues within Indigenous research
• A Curriculum Vitae with certified copies of diplomas and other relevant documentation
• Publication list
• Contact details for two reference persons

The application must be submitted via Umeå University’s e-recruiting system Varbi no later than May 3, 2024.

Further information

The employment is a full-time, fixed term position for two years, starting as soon as possible or according to agreement.

The postdoctoral fellow is expected to actively contribute to developing the local research environment at Várdduo where the position is located. High physical presence in the environment is therefore a requirement.

For more information about the position contact Várdduo’s Director, Christina Storm Mienna (+46 90- 786 51 71, christina.storm.mienna@umu.se), Deputy Director Kristina Sehlin MacNeil (+46 90-786 62 97, kristina.sehlin-macneil@umu.se) or HR-Coordinator Roxana Wikström (roxana.wikstrom@umu.se, +46 90 786 60 97).

For more information about the unit, visit: https://www.umu.se/vardduo-centrum-for-samisk-forskning/

We are looking forward to receiving your application!