Research Fellow - Communities and Rural-Urban Contexts in Driving Sustainability Transitions

Running from 2025 to 2029, SustainERA will combine high-level research with the development of innovative solutions to promote a sustainable mindset and practices. By integrating expertise from multiple disciplines and fostering international collaboration, the project also aims to enhance Tallinn University’s research excellence and capacity. Four doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers will be recruited through an international competition to complement the existing research team. 

The successful candidate will focus on deep transformation aspects (e.g., Busch-Hansen and Nesterova, 2023) related to sustainable transitions in communities and in rural-urban relations. The primary objective will be to conduct empirical intervention studies on sustainability transformations in communities, exploring the impacts of these interventions across various dimensions, such as transactions with nature, social interactions, social structures, cultures, individual well-being, and anticipated futures. The studies may, for example, explore community transitions to meaningful commons and circular bioeconomy, engaging various stakeholders, and holistic sustainability (e.g., Milne, 2017) that goes beyond economic and ecological issues, incorporating culture, art, and emotions (Soini & Dessein, 2016). The research may focus on rural communities or innovation community settings (e.g., technoparks or similar) with a particular focus on impact assessments within community settings. 

In addition to their postdoctoral research, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to various teaching, administrative, and capacity-building activities within the SustainERA project, including participation in writing grant proposals on related topics. These responsibilities will account for 20% of the workload. Candidates will be expected to reside and work in Tallinn.

PhD in social sciences and/or humanities.

The candidates must meet the requirements for the research fellow position as outlined in the Annex 5 of the Employment Relations Rules of Tallinn University. 

The successful candidate should hold a relevant PhD in social sciences and/or humanities, including but not limited to Human Geography, Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Environmental Humanities, and Educational Sciences. They should possess a strong background in qualitative research methods, as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills. The candidate must be capable of working independently and as part of a team. The experience with community experiments and related qualitative research are an advantage. 

Candidates should have no more than five years of full-time equivalent research experience since obtaining their PhD. Periods of parental leave, long-term sick leave, and military service are not included in this limit.

The application deadline is Midnight (EEST) on 16th April 2025. Please submit your application online using the "Apply Now" link. 

If you are interested in applying for this position, please contact Dr Tarmo Pikner (tpikner@tlu.ee) to discuss your interest before submitting your application. A preliminary agreement is required prior to submission. 

Interviews with shortlisted candidates are expected to take place in May 2025. 

The application must include the following documents: 

• An up-to-date academic CV detailing your education and qualifications, employment history, publications, and any other relevant information.
• A copy of your Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD academic transcripts and degree certificates. If your PhD degree is pending, please provide an interim certificate.
• A supporting statement (maximum 500 words) explaining why you are interested in this position and how your background, experience, and skills align with the research described above.
• An example of your academic writing, such as published manuscripts or those under review. If submitting chapters from your PhD thesis, please include an abstract or introduction outlining the context, aims, and research questions of the study. 
• Three academic references from individuals who can assess your suitability for the position, specifically relating their feedback to your previous academic work and the advertised project. 
• Proof of English language proficiency. Please refer to https://www.tlu.ee/en/proof-english-proficiency for the University’s language requirements.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment 

Tallinn University and our external partners are fully committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. While all applicants will be assessed based on merit alone, we actively encourage applications from individuals with diverse career paths and backgrounds, and from all segments of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, and gender identity. 

Further Information: 

For technical or administrative queries regarding the application process and required documents, please contact konkurss@tlu.ee. For questions about the role, please reach out to Dr Tarmo Pikner at tpikner@tlu.ee.

• Work in an interdisciplinary team of highly qualified researchers who are passionate about their work and value an open, collaborative environment.
• Freedom and support to pursue your intellectual interests and work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally impactful research. 
• Opportunities to present the outcomes of your research to both national and international audiences, with funding to support participation in international conferences and expert meetings. 
• Strong support for your professional and personal development.
• A variety of benefits, including comprehensive health insurance, paid sick leave, 56 days of paid annual leave plus national public holidays (provided they do not fall on a weekend or overlap with annual leave), discounts at internal and external sports clubs, and more. 
• A modern campus located in the heart of Tallinn, a city renowned for its vibrant food, tech, and music scenes.