Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland > Research posts
Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland > Research posts
Football match in Hietalahti, Vaasa, 1968. Image: Rafel Olin (1968). SLS/Rafael Olins fotosamling
Doctoral positions can be applied for by individuals admitted to doctoral programs in the humanities and social sciences at a Finnish university. Applicants must attach confirmation that they have been accepted for doctoral studies. The positions are announced for up to three years, with the possibility of a one-year extension.
The research must concern Swedish in Finland or the Swedish language in Finland, either entirely or as part of comparative research where Swedish in Finland is an important component of the study. How the research relates to Swedish in Finland should be evident from the problem formulation or research questions. The position can be applied for regardless of mother tongue, nationality, or place of residence, as long as the work is carried out at a Finnish university.
The doctoral positions will be placed at a university in Finland according to the applicant’s preference, so that the university becomes the applicant’s employer during the project period. For this, the university must confirm at the application stage that it is willing to host the position. If you also wish to apply for a working grant, you must submit a separate application.
SLS aims to involve the funded doctoral candidates in its scientific activities, for example by offering them the opportunity to participate in SLS seminars and conferences during their funding period, as well as to contribute to events related to their research theme.
When assessing proposals for research funding, we emphasize whether the research results in openly accessible digital material, openly accessible digital research methods, and openly accessible research findings. We follow the principle “as open as possible, as closed as necessary.”
A university in Finland becomes the researcher’s employer. The granted funds are allocated to the university specified by the applicant in the application. A commitment from the research institution must be submitted as an attachment to the application.
The positions will be announced in February 2026.
Applications are evaluated by our research committees, which make recommendations on who should be awarded the position. Our Scholarly Board makes the final decision on who will receive the position, usually in May. The position can start no earlier than August 2026.
We notify all applicants who are granted funding or whose applications are rejected by email. We do not provide reasons or comments for either positive or negative decisions.
Once the call is open, you can preview the application form via the “Preview application form” function before starting to fill in the application.
Log in to the application system as an organisation (university, other higher education institution, or research institute).
Write your application in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, or English.
Fill in the main subject area only.
More detailed instructions can be found in the application form.
The research plan is part of the application form and consists of the following sections: background and state of current research, goals and research questions, research methods and materials, expected results, publishing and how the research relates to the Swedish language and the Swedish cultural heritage in Finland.
The research plan should not be appended to the application.
The curriculum vitae must comply with the principles of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK; see curriculum vitae for researchers.
Prepare the list according to the Research Council of Finland’s guidelines; see list of publications.
Attach a separate publication plan to your application. Any costs for open access publishing must be considered in the budget.
SLS does not grant funding for publication in hybrid journals.
Consider any costs related to data management in the budget. The funded researcher will draw up a data management plan.
State the salary based on the salary conditions at the university to which you as a researcher want to be assigned. Also include any travel, publication, data management, digitisation and other costs in the budget.
Include the names of one or two referees in your application.
The research site refers to the applicant’s host organization (e.g., university, college, research institute, or other research organization) that administers the funding. The commitment means that the research site approves the application and acknowledges the terms and conditions of the funding. If the funding is granted, the research site undertakes to receive it and use it for the purposes specified in the decision. The freely formulated commitment is usually signed by the dean, vice-rector, or an equivalent person within the organization and is attached to the application by the applicant.
Postdoctoral positions are available in the fields of humanities and social sciences. Researchers who have completed their PhD no more than five years ago (limit does not apply to those who have been on military service, parental leave and extended sick leave) can apply for the position.
The research must concern the Swedish cultural heritage in Finland or the Swedish language in Finland. The position can be applied for regardless of mother tongue, nationality, or place of residence.
The postdoctoral positions are located at a university in Finland according to the applicant’s wishes. If you wish to apply for a grant at the same time, you must submit a separate application.
When we assess proposals for research funding, we place emphasis on whether the research will result in openly accessible digital material, openly accessible digital research methods and openly accessible research results. We follow the principle: “as open as possible, as closed as necessary”.
Positions are not advertised annually but are advertised separately.
Applications are evaluated by our Research Committee, which makes a proposal for the position. Our Scholarly Board decides who gets the position, usually in April.
We notify all applicants by email. We do not justify or comment on positive or negative decisions.