Postdoctoral Researcher, Memory Politics

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä is seeking to recruit:

A Postdoctoral Researcher in Memory Politics for a fixed-term period of 2.1.2025–31.12.2026 (24 months) or per agreement.

The position is allocated to the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy and to a project funded by Research Council of Finland: Reframing Restitution: Postcolonial Object Movement, Transnational Memory and Social Repair (https://research.fi/en/results/funding/81356). 

Making use of research in political studies, memory and heritage studies, postcolonial and critical Indigenous studies, the project engages in an inquiry into postcolonial restitution of cultural objects from Western museums and public collections to Indigenous and formerly colonized people who are descendants of these objects’ creators and custodians. The project seeks to ‘reframe restitution’ as socio-cultural and political processes of reclaiming, rehoming, reintegrating, re-semanticizing, repairing and remembering.    

Duties and requirements

The main task of the to-be-recruited Postdoctoral Researcher is to conduct research on the dynamics of the emergence of postcolonial restitutive cultures in one (or more) of three contexts: Greenland, (Canadian) Inuit or Sámi (Finland, Norway or Sweden).

The applicant’s research plan is expected to focus on one or more of the following questions in regard to postcolonial and Indigenous peoples’ heritage restitution:

1. What narrative meanings and cultural practices of restitution are developed by the communities and institutions receiving and rehoming selected items? How do these items become ‘memory objects’; what histories (and stories) are formed around them, including their traditional meanings and uses?
2. What cultural and social initiatives and projects in the domain of art, activism, innovative exhibitions and curation, visual techniques, literature and storytelling, help reframe restitution as a practice, rather than a singular event?
3. What are the socio-cultural and political effects of postcolonial heritage restitution and object movement regarding redress, justice and social repair?
4. What is the role of postcolonial heritage restitution and object movement for the emergence of transnational and shared collective memory?

The applicants are expected to have a Ph.D. degree in political or cultural studies, postcolonial studies, Indigenous studies, or other suitable academic background prior to the commencement of the position. Prior familiarity with more than one of these disciplines and interdisciplinary expertise across them will be considered as an asset.

Besides research, the chosen candidate is expected to take part in the internal research seminar of the project, the planning and organizing of two scientific events, and producing academic publications (sole-authored and collaborative). The primary place to carry out the research is Jyväskylä, Finland.

The candidate is expected to conduct research at high international level, and a good command of English is required for this position. Knowledge of Indigenous and other languages relevant to this project (Greenlandic, Sámi languages, Inuit languages of Canada; Finnish, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian) is an asset, as is relational knowledge of and prior research experience with Indigenous communities relevant to this project.

The duties, qualification requirements and language skills of a Postdoctoral Researcher are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines.

What does the University of Jyväskylä offer as an employer?

You become part of our international and multi-science community where the welfare of each individual is important. At Jyväskylä we offer a great and lively campus area with opportunities to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. To find useful information about the University of Jyväskylä, the City of Jyväskylä and living in Finland, see the University's International Staff Guide.

The initial monthly salary (gross income) in this Postdoctoral Researcher position will be approximately 3.500–3.600 €, depending on the qualifications and prior experience of the candidate.

A trial period of six months will be used at the beginning of the employment.

How to apply?

Please attach the following documents in English as PDF files to your online application form:

1. CV composed according to good scientific practice and considering, when possible, the template for researcher´s curriculum vitae of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK);
2. Short and informal motivation letter (max. 1 page, "cover letter" on the online application form);
3. Numbered list of publications covering the applicant’s the scientific and other publications according to the instructions of the Academy of Finland (please indicate the five most relevant publications vis-à-vis this project);
4. Copies of up to three selected academic publications ("other attachment" on the online application form);
5. Research plan (max. 3 pages) pertinent to the task (bibliography does not count towards the page limit);
6. Ph.D. degree certificate (a PDF copy).

Also, please provide the names and contact information of 1-2 references to the online application form.

In the evaluation of the applications, strong emphasis will be given to the research proposal, which measures the applicant’s suitability for the project.

The University is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions, and undertakes the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland and Dora Declaration.

For more information, please contact the director of the project, Associate Professor Magdalena Zolkos (email: magdalena.a.zolkos@jyu.fi; phone: +35458017992).