Junior Researcher (PhD) in Indigenous Education, Arctic Change and the Adaptation Research Community

We invite applications for a fully funded three-year PhD position in Indigenous education, focusing on knowledge systems, cultural continuity and educational sustainability. The position is part of an interdisciplinary research environment on Arctic change and adaptation, bringing together scholars to examine the multifaceted impacts of rapid Arctic transformations.

About the Position

Indigenous education is understood as a field that examines how education is shaped by Indigenous knowledge systems, cultural practices, linguistic diversity and socio-political contexts, including the ongoing processes of decolonisation. In Arctic settings and other context-specific settings, these dynamics are further influenced by environmental change and local conditions. The field brings together perspectives from culturally responsive pedagogy, sustainability education and land-based learning. Central to Indigenous education are questions of how knowledge is produced, transmitted and transformed in contexts marked by linguistic diversity, cultural continuity and community-based ways of knowing.

The doctoral project is expected to contribute to both conceptual and empirical development within Indigenous education. This includes:

• advancing the theoretical understandings of Indigenous education in relation to knowledge systems, cultural continuity and sustainability

• engaging with existing research on Indigenous education, language revitalisation and culturally grounded teaching and learning practices

• designing and implementing empirical or practice-based studies (e.g. pedagogical experiments, digital learning environments or community-based approaches) that deepen understanding of education in Indigenous contexts.

Your tasks

• conducting doctoral research on a topic aligned with Indigenous education

• completing the studies and credits required for the doctoral degree

• committing to the guidance and activities of the research community

• potential teaching in your field and/or other academic tasks (max. 5% of working hours).

🎁We offer

• a clear and structured study framework within a multidisciplinary academic community, making it possible to complete a doctoral degree in 3 years

• supervision by senior staff at the research community

• high-level skills for careers in academia or other demanding educational, development, and expert roles in society

• an engaging research environment with opportunities for multidisciplinary research collaboration.

We expect

• a masters degree in education or another relevant field

• familiarity with Indigenous education contexts

• experience with empirical, practice-based or interdisciplinary research methods

• interest in digital learning, innovative pedagogy or community-based research

• interest in Indigenous knowledge, language revitalisation and educational transformations

• proficiency in English; Finnish and/or Sámi is an advantage

• a collaborative, proactive, self-directed and responsible work ethic.

These positions are intended for applicants who are starting their doctoral research. To be eligible, applicants must not currently hold a right to pursue a doctoral degree in any university in any country. Selected candidates are expected to apply for doctoral study rights during the University of Laplands application period in spring 2027 (216 February 2027).

Required Application Documents

The required documents should be submitted in English.

If you have used generative AI in your documents, specify how it was utilised.

The required documents are:

• a doctoral research plan that follows the template (which can be found at Application enclosures for Doctoral education - University of Lapland) and is a max. length of 5 pages (including the bibliography but excluding covers and potential appendices); if the research includes an artistic or production-oriented component, justify its significance

• a one-page summary of the research plan, including contact information (address, telephone number, email address)

• a one-page motivation letter that includes a hand-signed declaration stating that all the information provided in your application documents is accurate and complete

• an academic CV (use the TENK template: https://tenk.fi/en/advice-and-materials/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae ), including the names and contact information of two (2) references

• copies of degree certificates

• copies of certificates showing language skills if language skills are not specified in the degree certificate.

Further information on the position

For inquiries about the position, please contact Professor Pigga Keskitalo (with questions about the content of the position) pigga.keskitalo(at)ulapland.fi. If you have questions about the recruitment process, contact tutkijakoulu(at)ulapland.fi.

Note: Due to the holiday season, email inquiries received in July will be answered in August.

Workplace address: Yliopistonkatu 8, 96300 Rovaniemi, Finland Employment duration: 3 years full-time, starting on 1 January 2027 Probation period: 6 months Salary: The salary is based on the university salary system for teaching and research staff (demand level 2), with a starting salary of approximately €2,714/month. The task-specific component is €2,281.48/month, and a personal performance component of up to 50% may be added. The salary will increase when 50% and 75% of the dissertation have been completed.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an on-site or online interview at the end of August.

University of Lapland

The University of Lapland is an international science and art university located in the City of Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. Our university creates new knowledge, skills and competence from the arctic perspective for the North and for the world. Our fields of education and research include educational sc