The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes is pleased to announce a call for the position of a research assistant.
Job description
The position will be to support the CSSM team with research tasks and assisting with the coordination of the Centre. Examples of these include e.g. support in organising workshops, seminars, and the annual PhD School, minuting meetings, managing the Centre’s social media presence, giving practical guidance to our international fellows during their stay, etc. The tasks vary during the academic year, according to the planned activities in the Centre, and require timeliness and independence as well as working collaboratively. The tasks will be instructed by project coordinator Mo Horstmann and performed in collaboration with another research assistant.
The position will also include some administrative and data management tasks (e.g. data entry or data cleaning tasks) for specific projects under the CSSM umbrella as and when required.
The CSSM
The CSSM is a hub for researchers and artists working at the intersections of microbes, human and nonhuman animals, and environment. Microbes are not only biological entities but also shape, and are shaped by, social worlds. The Centre explores the profound challenges that relationships with microbes raise for social theory, and which demand new ways for describing and explaining these complex and entwined relations. Not only is this work theoretically motivated, it is critical for developing sustainable methods of planetary co-existence in the Anthropocene.
Recognising that innovative knowledge requires inclusive and egalitarian ways of knowing, the CSSM puts a strong emphasis on decentralised collaborative practices. The Centre hosts international research fellows and organises social theory and methodology workshops, academic seminars, and a yearly PhD School.
Application
Who can apply?
The ideal candidate is a late stage MA student in social sciences and has past experience in research and project coordination. Excellent English is necessary. Interest in more-than-human research themes is desired but not essential. Familiarity with the university’s facilities would be beneficial for helping with the organisation of events on campus.
Applications should contain
- a short motivation letter (max. 1 page) that demonstrates how you would contribute to the CSSM aligned with its objectives and ethos,
- a CV with education and previous working experience.
Please send your documents to cssm@helsinki.fi as a single PDF file.
Deadline: September 20, 2024
Interviews with short-listed candidates will be held approximately a week after the submission date.
Duration
The position will be 6 months (to be negotiated) and start in October 2024.
Offered by the CSSM
The selected applicant is expected to work in Helsinki, Finland, in order to participate actively in the intellectual and social life of the CSSM which also means that it is necessary to work mainly onsite. During the position, the research assistant will gain access to an office space and other university services like libraries and online resources, and occupational health services.
The research assistant will collect experiences in project management in an interdisciplinary research centre that has a decentralised and collaborative structure.
Working time is typically between 15-20 hours per week. Working hours are generally flexible to enable you to continue your studies.
As MA student, the salary level is 4 / 16% (see GCA, page 120).
Diverse and inclusive recruitment
We seek to create a diverse team. In line with this policy, eligible applicants can be of any nationality and gender.
