Research Scientist, postdoc, strategic leadership and foresight in natural resources business

The Natural Resources Institute of Finland (Luke) is looking for a Research Scientist, as a post-doc researcher in strategic management and foresight related to business in the natural resources sector for a 3-year period.

This postdoc position is part of the Postdoctoral Programme for Research Institutes in Finland. The programme is funded from the Finnish government's multi-annual research and development (R&D) funding plan. The programme recruits 85 new postdoctoral researchers to 12 Finnish government research institutes between 2025 and 2028. The aim of the Programme is to strengthen RDI competence in areas important to society and business. A postdoctoral researcher will conduct goal-oriented high-level research at the interface between the academic community, industry, and administration. The Programme supports postdoctoral researcher’s networking and mobility between sectors.

The selected person will also take part in Luke's Doctoral Programme, which coordinates, develops, and monitors the qualification of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers at the Natural Resources Institute Finland.

The main duties and key responsibilities of the Researcher Scientist, postdoc, relate to producing business economic information about market supply and demand, which affect the current and future prerequisites of the circular bioeconomy and the possibilities of sustainability transition. For this purpose, along with the external enablers and obstacles to change (e.g. laws and other regulations, industry-level solutions), it is essential to study how the internal characteristics of individual actors (e.g., companies, customers, authorities) and the groups they form (e.g., value networks, business ecosystems) affect the potential for sustainability transition. Such internal characteristics are, e.g., actors' resources and capabilities explaining their strategic potential to adapt in push the development of innovative product-service solutions. Such internal characteristics are e.g., actors' resources and capabilities explaining their innovativeness to develop new product-service solutions, as well as the prerequisites to foresight the strategic actions required by the changing business environment.

The research will be carried out mainly in collaboration with mainly in collaboration with the researchers in the Business Economics group (YRLI) belonging to the Bioeconomy and environment unit, but also with people working in Luke's other units and groups. In the externally funded projects, work essentially comprises also cooperation with other domestic and foreign research institutes, universities, companies and other Luke's stakeholders. The work also includes also tasks related to project planning, procurement of external funding and project management. The nature of the task requires strong self-initiativeness and a willingness to develop professionally as an independent researcher and as part of interdisciplinary working groups.

In this task, you can contribute to the search for biocircular economy solutions to solve domestic and international sustainability challenges as a producer of impartial research results. In this position, you will be able to qualify as a researcher and network extensively with various actors.

Our expectations of the applicant

To be successful in this role, you are expected to have strong experience in empirical research related to value-chains and value-networks in the contexts of natural resource business and sustainability transition. In addition, previous experience in Business Model Analysis or similar approaches related to business model development and sustainability transition is needed.
As an applicant, you have

• recently completed a doctorate (max 5 years ago) in one of the following fields: Business economics, Management, Marketing, Foresight studies or a related field
• demonstrated ability to publish in high quality peer-reviewed publications
• strong skills in quantitative and/or qualitative data collection and methods, experience in both is highly appreciated
• experience in applying the theories of management, marketing and/or future research in practical research work
• excellent written and oral Finnish and English
• ability and willingness to collaborate with various domestic and foreign research institutes, universities, companies, and other Luke stakeholders
• ability and willingness to work independently and a strong motivation to learn the use of new theories and methods in various empirical contexts related to the businesses in the natural resources sector
• ability to popularize and present research results in various forums and to various stakeholders

We will also consider as advantage if you have experience in preparing research plans for large projects, acquiring external funding, and project management.

We offer you

The well-being of our people and a positive approach towards innovation and development are particularly important to us. Our mobile work model allows you to work in Finland in the location most appropriate for your work. In addition, we provide flexible hours, and as your employment with us continues, long vacations. We offer lunch benefits, as well as sports, culture, or commuting support.

Clarifications

The person selected for the position might need to undergo standard security clearance vetting with the applicant’s consent (Security Clearance Act 726/2014). More detailed information on the procedure and the subject's rights is available at www.supo.fi.

Contact Information

Katja Lähtinen
Research Professor
+358 29 532 2191
katja.lahtinen@luke.fi

Pasi Rikkonen
Research Professor
+358 29 532 6480
pasi.rikkonen@luke.fi

How to apply

Primarily, we request applicants to submit their applications electronically via the Valtiolle.fi service. However, you can also apply for this job by delivering your application to the Registry Office’s postal address. Both the application and the envelope must feature the ID number of the position applied for. The letter must be delivered by the end of the application period.

The Registry of Natural Resources Institute Finland

Latokartanonkaari 9
00790 Helsinki, Finland

Organisation

Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is a research and expert organisation that builds sustainable future and well-being from renewable natural resources. Through research, we create value and solutions for our customers and society by solving local and global challenges.

Being open-minded, curious, and having a strong will to make a positive impact in the world bind Luke people together. We value our diverse working community consisting of people with different backgrounds and cultures and promote equality. Sustainability is included in all our operations.

Location
Helsinki

Locations
You can work at one of our following locations

Helsinki
Latokartanonkaari 9
00790 Helsinki

Position information
Other information of the position

• More information: Please attach a letter of application, CV, research plan and list of publications to your application. The applicant's knowledge and experience of the postdoc position's research topic will be assessed based on the research plan (maximum 2 pages + reference list).
• Level of position: Specialists
• Remote work: Possibility to work remotely
  Description of the remote work: Mobile work is used at Luke. This means that work is performed where it suits best. Mobile work is only possible within Finland, and the practices of mobile work are agreed with the supervisor. We also meet regularly face-to-face.
  Reason for fixed-term employment: Nature of work
  Additional info about fixed-term employment: 3-year Postdoctoral Programme in Research Institutes.
  Working time format: Office working hours
  Trial period: A trial period is 6 months.
  Remuneration information: The position is at complexity level 8 - 9 in Luke's salary system and the position-specific salary is EUR 3 512,13 - 3910,89 per month. In addition, a salary component based on personal performance will be paid (max. 50% of the position-specific salary). A new employee's personal performance component depends on competence and experience and generally falls in the range of 15-20 %. The applicant may also present a separate salary request.