The Ruralia Institute of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Helsinki offers high-quality research and innovation partnerships for rural development. The focus areas of the Institute are local development, sustainable food chains and new bioeconomy. The Institute performs extensive international, national and regional cooperation with about 50 experts in the University Consortiums of Mikkeli and Seinäjoki (www.helsinki.fi/ruralia).
We are seeking for
GRANT-FUNDED QUALITATIVE RESEARCHER
for a three (3) year fixed-term scholarship aiming at doctoral dissertation. The research scholar will join a project funded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation: "Transforming agriculture with agroecological symbiosis combined with cellular agriculture - Environmental impacts and perceptions of farmers and consumers”. The project explores the possibilities of reducing the harmful environmental impacts of food production through new technologies. The study models environmental benefits that can be achieved by moving to sustainable farming practices that combine biogas production and new cell-culturing based food production methods. In addition, the project explores the farmers' willingness to change their production methods and consumer views on new food production technologies.
Qualitative research of consumers’ and farmers’ perceptions
The research task is to explore the perceptions of consumers and farmers by qualitative methods. The consumer study explores people's willingness to change their diets and views of the new foods from the cellular agriculture. The farmer interviews will aim at finding out the farmers’ willingness and possible barriers for switching to use agroecological farming practices. The project is led by Associate Professor Hanna Tuomisto and Senior Researcher Toni Ryynänen.
Examples of suitable disciplines are (but not restricted to) Consumer Economics, Social-, Behavioural and Societal Sciences.
The grant-funded researcher is required to hold a relevant master degree and have good English language skills. The selected person is required to apply for the right for doctoral studies from the University of Helsinki within six (6) months after starting as a grant-funded researcher unless they already have the right for doctoral studies.
The grant is € 2000 / month. The applicants should read the documentation related to the pension and insurance as these will affect the net amount of the grant. The University will provide working space and equipment in Mikkeli or Helsinki.
The application consists of the following documents:
- A cover letter explaining the applicant’s motivation for research work and a short research plan (e.g. approach, research materials and methods) (up to 3 pages)
- Curriculum vitae showing the applicant's education, completed qualifications, work experience and possible list of publications (up to 3 pages)
Send the cover letter and the CV to ruralia-instituutti@helsinki.fi by 30.11.2018 at 23.59.
For more information, please contact Senior Researcher Toni Ryynänen (Consumer Research), tel. +358 50 311 9398, toni.ryynanen@helsinki.fi
Grant recipient's statutory pension and work accident insurance:https://www.mela.fi/en/grant-and-scholarship-recipients
Taxpayer Taxation: https://tieteentekijoidenliitto.fi/files/2399/Grant_Information_for_Researchers_2017_.pdf