Finland

Impact of Covid-19 on the Finnish Academic Job Market in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Currently, the academic labor market does not seem to have been strongly affected by the Covid-19 crisis. On the universities web pages there is no specific information on new hiring. However, it can be expected that the conditions for new academic staff will be evaluated on a case by case basis. For example, the University of Helsinki requires that academic staff work from home until 16 August and several classes will be held online in the fall semester.

From a long-term perspective, the national funding agency provided guidelines confirming the availability of research funding. The information might be relevant to scholars who want to know if they can apply for funding. Moreover, it signals that there will not be a shortage of money in Finnish academia.

Special call

The Academy of Finland opened a special call for research on Covid-19. Relatedly, new academic positions might open in the research groups that won some funding.

Useful resources: 

On Funding:

• https://www.aka.fi/en/about-us/media/whats-new/2020/information-for-funding-recipients-and-applicants-on-the-effects-of-the-coronavirus-epidemic/

On positions at University of Helsinki:

• https://www.helsinki.fi/en/open-positions

Special calls on Covid-19:

• https://www.aka.fi/en/about-us/media/press-releases/2020/academy-of-finland-opens-special-call-for-applications-for-research-into-covid-19/