Doctoral Researcher / Research Assistant in Law in the Academy Project JustISA

Faculty of Law University of Lapland is hiring a doctoral researcher in law in the JustISA Academy project. The position is full-time during the period 1.1.2027 - 31.8.2029, located in Rovaniemi.

The project is carried out at the Faculty of Law in collaboration with the Department of Social Sciences within the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences at Åbo Akademi. Both research environments have a strong tradition of research on vulnerabilities and human rights, which is central to this project.

The project JustISA Surrogacy Agreements and Interdisciplinary Pathways to Minimum Justice: A Comparative Study of Finland, Colombia and Greece is an interdisciplinary collaboration between law and sociology. The project investigates international surrogacy arrangements and justice-related issues such as the childs best interests, the desire for parenthood, legislative circumvention, as well as risks and consequences for the individuals involved and for the legal systems through analysis of surrogacy agreements from Colombia and Greece, interviews, social media and other texts from online sources. The doctoral researchers thesis will primarily be based on surrogacy contracts and related expert interviews. The project group and the supervision team include experts in reproduction and parenthood, rights issues, law and the data mining method.

Work tasks

We offer you a social and independent job on an international and interdisciplinary project in a dynamic and pleasant work environment. The tasks of the doctoral researcher include:

• Contribute to project planning and project administration, for example in relation to project meetings

• Plan and implement data collection in relation to expert interviews and analyze surrogacy contracts in accordance with the project plan

• Write the scientific articles of the dissertation in collaboration with supervisors and researchers in the project

• Conduct a research visit abroad

• Completing doctoral studies and writing the thesis comprehensive summary

• Present research results at project meetings and national and international conferences

• Participate in other duties related to the role assigned by the employer. Tasks in teaching may occur to a small extent.

Competence

We are looking for you who have a masters degree, or who is finalising masters degree, in law, preferably masters studies in family law, contract law or law and welfare. Previous studies related to reproduction and/or experience with socio-legal research methods are considered meritorious. Previous experience of academic publishing is also considered a merit. It may also be possible to appoint a candidate who is currently completing their master's degree and who could start working as a research assistant if they are not yet eligible to apply for doctoral studies at the Faculty of Law during the autumn application period (15-29 September 2026).

We assume that you have very good knowledge of English. Knowledge of Finnish, Swedish, Greek or Spanish is an advantage. You also have good communication and collaboration skills as well as the ability to work independently and in a structured way.

We offer

• interesting work tasks as part of an international university community

• modern work equipment and facilities

• a stable organisation to work in

• opportunities for professional development

• extensive occupational health services

• sport, culture and wellbeing benefits.

Application

Submit your application via the Universitys electronic application form below. Attach the cover letter and CV with a list of publications as well as brief research plan (2-3 pages) regarding your JustISA related research interests and PhD project. The documents can be either in Finnish or English. Provide the contact details of reference persons that the employer can contact if necessary.

Information

For further information on the position, please contact Katja Karjalainen, Principal Investigator, phone number +358 40 187 1964, e-mail katja.karjalainen@ulapland.fi

In order to be employed as a doctoral researcher, the person who is employed must be enrolled as a doctoral researcher at University of Lapland no later than in connection with the start of the employment. Information about the application process for admission for a doctoral study right can be found here: [Apply for doctoral programmes - University of Lapland](https://ulapland.fi/en/study-with-us/apply-for-doctoral-programmes/)

It may also be possible to appoint a candidate who is currently completing their master's degree and who could start working as a research assistant if they are not yet eligible to apply for doctoral studies at the Faculty of Law during the autumn application period (15-29 September 2026).

Workplace address: Yliopistonkatu 8, 96300 ROVANIEMI Duration of employment: 1.1.2027 - 31.8.2029 Work hours: full-time employment Trial period: 6 months Salary: The universitys salary system is based on the requirements of the task and personal performance. The position of research assistant adheres to requirement level 1 of the university salary system for teaching and research staff. The position of doctoral researcher adheres to requirement levels 2-3 of the university salary system for teaching and research staff. The starting salary of a research assistant is 2120,11 €. The starting salary of a doctoral researcher is 2331,67 - 2561,23 €. In addition, a personal performance-based salary component is paid, amounting up to 50% of the task-specific salary component.

Lapin yliopisto

Lapin yliopisto on kansainvälinen tiede- ja taideyliopisto aivan napapiirin tuntumassa Rovaniemellä, Lapin pääkaupungissa. Arktinen yliopistomme luo uutta tietoa, taitoa ja osaamista pohjoisen puolesta, maailmaa varten. Koulutus- ja tutkimusalojamme ovat kasvatustieteet, oikeustiede, taide ja muotoilu, yhteiskuntatieteet sekä pohjoiset ja arktiset kysymykset. Strategiset valintamme painottavat globaalia arktista vastuuta, kestävää matkailua sekä tulevaisuuden palveluja ja etäisyyksien hallintaa.

Lapin yliopisto arvostaa yhdenvertaisuutta ja monimuotoisuutta työyhteisössä.

Tutustu meihin lisää:

Email: henkilostopalvelut.lay@luc.fi Location: Yliopistonkatu 8, 96300 Rovaniemi