The project Climate Sustainability in the Kitchen – Everyday Food Cultures in Transition is funded by Kone Foundation and carried out in Gender Studies at the University of Helsinki in 2018-2020, directed by Dr. Kuura Irni. The project examines cultural change where more climate sustainable plant-based foods are emerging in everyday diets also in the Northern European contexts. The project is interdisciplinary, exploring the topic from the perspectives of gender studies, sociology, critical animal studies and environmental social science and in a variety of contexts, including lunch canteens, households, media discussions and policy making. In addition to conducting research, in cooperation with various food sector players and NGOs, the project develops climate sustainable vegan recipes for lunch restaurants.
The project accepts applications for:
A RESEARCH ASSISTANT
The position is available for students (preferably MA) of the University of Helsinki. The position is for 3 months (full-time) starting from spring 2019 (the exact starting date will be negotiated with the project team). We are also open to part-time work for a longer duration, depending on the availability and preference of the candidate. The salary is 2042 € to 2153 € per month.
The research assistant will mainly participate in two research activities: 1) a study on vegan men and masculinities in Estonia and Finland. Tasks include participation in the analysis of the material and finding relevant literature. 2) a customer survey conducted in lunch restaurants in Finland. Tasks with the survey include transferring the survey data into electronic form and carrying out analyses on numeric and written answers in the forms. Additionally, the research assistant can assist in mapping sustainable food transition processes in large-scale food catering.
In addition, the research assistant will be involved in other, mainly practical tasks related to running the project, such as helping to organise events and communicating project activities to broader audiences.
We expect familiarity with at least the basics of qualitative and quantitative research (and preferably some experience in using both approaches), good working proficiency with Excel, good knowledge of Finnish and English, and an interest in the project themes. Some knowledge of SPSS is recommended. We also expect willingness to independently obtain additional knowledge on using methods and software if necessary.
Everyone who works in the project is expected to follow safer space principles, including building a safer working environment for racialised, queer and trans persons. The theme of the project is related to plant-based food and veganism, which means that familiarity with plant-based food is an asset. The food served in all project team meetings and other project events is plant-based.
Please send your CV and a Letter of Motivation by March 1 to climatekitchen@helsinki.fi. Any inquiries about the position should also be sent to the same address.
Interviews with selected candidates will be held in March at the University of Helsinki.
We look forward to hearing from you!
The ”Climate Sustainability in the Kitchen” project team