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Junior researcher (doctoral student) in purchasing and supply management

LUT Business School is looking for a junior researcher (doctoral student) in purchasing and supply management to strengthen its supply management team. 

We are seeking a curious mind who is interested in purchasing, supply management or supply networks. We are looking for a motivated candidate with a strong desire to learn and to join our Supply Management team as a doctoral student.

This doctoral research is a part of the research project, “RawPower: Sociopolitical Rivalries and Their Impact on Critical Raw Materials Supply Networks,” funded by the Research Council of Finland. This 4-year research project focuses on how sociopolitical power imbalances influence the adaptive behavior of actors and the structural dynamics within global supply networks for critical raw materials.

Junior researchers are required to have a master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., supply management, supply chain management, operations management, business analytics), the ability to complete the doctoral degree within the normative duration of the studies for the degree and a right to complete doctoral studies at LUT University. Junior researchers need to obtain the right to complete doctoral studies at LUT within the first three months of their employment relationship.

Written and spoken proficiency in English is required in this position. You should have basic knowledge of supply management or supply chain management as well as qualitative and quantitative research methods. We value quantitative and analytical skills, but the research method will be decided on the basis of the candidate’s expertise.

We expect you to write a dissertation on the broader theme of power dynamics in critical raw materials supply networks. The research may explore a range of issues related to supply management, including but not limited to:

  • Power relations and dynamics in supply networks
  • Geopolitical rivalry and critical supply chains
  • Sociopolitical views of supply chain management

Key responsibilities

  • Completion of the doctoral degree within four years 
  • Participation in a research project
  • Assisting in teaching

What we offer

  • An opportunity to launch a successful academic career and to become an expert in purchasing and supply management
  • A four-year (1+3 years) employment contract for completing the doctoral degree 
    • The contract will be made initially for one year and can be extended by three years, provided that the studies and research have progressed successfully
  • International research group and a possibility for research visits, for example, to Australia and USA
  • Encouraging and supportive supervision by and research collaboration with Professor Anni-Kaisa Kähkönen and Post-Doctoral Researcher Iryna Malacina

Employment relationship and pay

The work will start in October-November 2024 (negotiable) with a six-month trial period. The job is based in Lappeenranta, Finland. The typical annual gross starting salary for a junior researcher is approximately 32 500 euros (plus a holiday bonus in accordance with the collective agreement).

In addition to a competitive salary, the position comes with a wide range of benefits, including a holiday bonus, generous annual leave, a research incentive scheme with personal rewards for high-quality publications, flexible working hours, occupational health care, a collegial working environment, and continuing commitment to your support, learning, training, and development.

How to apply 

The deadline for applications is 1 September 2024 at midnight, Finnish local time (UTC +3h). Please submit your application together with the required attachments in English through the university’s online application system:

  •  A curriculum vitae (CV)
  • A copy of your degree certificate; if the original documents are not in English, Finnish, or Swedish, each document must be accompanied by an official certified translation into English or Finnish
  • A motivation letter: an account of your merits and activities of significance to the vacancy (max. 2 pages)
  • A research plan (3–5 pages) presenting an outline for your dissertation research, a review of relevant literature, and possible research methods
  • Sample of written work, e.g., Master’s thesis (optional)

Only applications that include the required documents will be considered.

For more information, please contact Professor Anni-Kaisa Kähkönen, anni-kaisa.kahkonen@lut.fi or Post-Doctoral Researcher Iryna Malacina, iryna.maliatsina@lut.fi. 

Read more about LUT as an employer and the LUT Doctoral School.

Read more about the information for international staff.


LUT University | Clean energy, water and air are life-giving resources for which we at LUT University seek new solutions with our expertise in technology, business and social sciences. We help society and businesses in their sustainable renewal. Our international community consists of over 9,000 members. Our campuses are in Lappeenranta and Lahti, Finland. We are one of the world's top universities for climate action. lut.fi/en


Technical support for using the recruitment system: recruitment@lut.fi.

Application period starts: 2024-06-26 08:00Application period ends: 2024-09-01 23:59
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