The Institute’s vacancies are published on FIIA’s webpage and on the Finnish Government’s job search service valtiolle.fi.avautuu uuteen ikkunaan
Currently open vacancies
The Finnish Institute of International Affairs is now seeking a
PROGRAMME DIRECTOR
for the period 1.1.2026–31.12.2030
Global Security and Governance research programme
The research programme on global security and governance concentrates on international political and economic relations and their security implications in a shifting global order. In addition to changes at the systemic level, there is an emphasis on the multidimensional competition between the US and China for global leadership and the challenges of global governance, especially the politics of climate change and the technological development. The programme hosts the Centre for US politics and power, the Centre for Global Orders and China and the Centre for Climate Politics and Security. During the coming programme period, it is possible that a new centre for geoeconomics and emerging technologies will be founded.
The main task of the Programme Director (PD) is to successfully manage the research programme. The PD participates in the planning of research and other work necessary for the Institute, under the guidance of the FIIA leadership. In addition, a PD also has personal research duties.
Successful performance of these duties will require broad expertise and substantial international experience, preferably in research-related functions. An excellent disposition for teamwork, and experience of influencing public policy and of the work in think tank organizations are seen as an advantage. Experience of practical leadership tasks, showing the applicant’s ability to manage a research community and to act as a supervisor for the researchers, is particularly valued.
For the successful performance of these tasks, a doctoral degree and fluency in English are required.
Applications in English and addressed to the Director of the Institute. Applications can be submitted to valtiolle.fi or paper applications by mail to Kirjaamo, Finnish Institute of the International Affairs, PO Box 425, 00101 Helsinki, Finland. The final deadline for the applications is 9th May, 2025, 4.15 p.m. Finnish time. Applications will not be returned.
Applications should include a CV (max. 5 pages) specifying the principal scientific qualifications and achievements and other evidence of competence and distinctions. We also request a provisional research and publication plan regarding the applicant’s own research projects for the programme period.
The person selected for the position will need to undergo standard security clearance vetting with the applicant’s consent (Security Clearance Act 726/2014). More information on the security clearance and the applicant’s rights at https://supo.fi/en/security-clearancesavautuu uuteen ikkunaan
The salary for a programme director is 6931 euro.
Further details of the research work and other FIIA activities are available on our website at www.fiia.fi. More information on the duties of the Programme Director, please contact director Hiski Haukkala tel. +358 9 432 7701 Tue 15 April, at 14.30-15.30 or Mon 28 April at, 12-13 or hiski.haukkala(at)fiia.fi.
The Finnish Institute of International Affairs is now seeking
RESEARCHERS
for the programme period of 1.1.2026–31.12.2028 to the following research programmes:
Finland and Northern European Security research programme
The programme produces strategic research on Finnish foreign and security policy and Finland’s changing security environment. The programme’s key research focus is Finnish comprehensive security and resilience policy, and more broadly Finland’s role in international relations. Furthermore, the programme aims to conduct research on the various aspects related to security and the geostrategy in Northern Europe: the Nordic countries, the Baltic Sea region, and the Arctic.
The European Union and Strategic Competition research programme
The programme focuses on the European Union and its global and regional role in the context of growing strategic competition. The key areas of research are the EU’s external relations, the trajectories of EU integration and the exercise of power in the EU. The programme will also examine the policies of Finland and key European countries within these themes. In the coming programme period, there are plans to establish a new research centre for the Middle East and North Africa to explore the political and regional dynamics in the EU’s southern neighbourhood and its implications for Finland and the EU.
Russia, Eastern Europe and Eurasia research programme
The research programme studies key processes affecting foreign and security policy in the region east of the EU, with a special emphasis on Russia. The programme’s main research themes are: Russia’s domestic political development, Russia’s foreign and security policy and its relations with the EU, US, China and the Global South, and political dynamics in Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
Global Security and Governance research programme
The research programme on global security and governance concentrates on international political and economic relations and their security implications in a shifting global order. In addition to changes at the systemic level, there is an emphasis on the multidimensional competition between the US and China for global leadership and the challenges of global governance, especially the politics of climate change and the technological development. The programme hosts the Centre for US politics and power, the Centre for Global Orders and China and the Centre for Climate Politics and Security. During the coming programme period, it is possible that a new centre for geoeconomics and emerging technologies will be founded.
Read more about the plan for programme period and explore FIIA’s activities:
We welcome applications from researchers at different stages of their research careers, both at doctoral and master’s levels with previous research experience. Successful performance in this position requires expertise in the subject area of the research programme and readiness to work in a think-tank-type community of researchers. Excellent teamworking skills and good English language skills are considered an advantage. The Institute’s working language is English.
Applications should be written in English and addressed to the Director of the Institute. Applications can be submitted to valtiolle.fi or applications on paper can be addressed to Kirjaamo, Finnish Institute of International Affairs, PO Box 425, 00101 Helsinki, Finland. The final deadline for applications is 9 May 2025, 4:15 pm (EEST). The applicants must specify in their applications which research programme they are applying to. Applications will not be returned.
It is possible that some of the positions will be filled for a two-year period. The salary based on experience is between 3355 and 5198 euros.
Applications should include a CV (max. 5 pages) specifying the principal academic qualifications and achievements, other proof of competence and distinctions, and a separate list of publications. A preliminary research plan is also requested, indicating the research work that the applicant plans to carry out during the research programme period. Application letter can be combined in the same document as the research plan.
The person selected for the position will need to undergo standard security clearance vetting with the applicant’s consent (Security Clearance Act 726/2014). More information on the security clearance and the applicant’s rights at https://supo.fi/en/security-clearancesavautuu uuteen ikkunaan
Further details on the research work and other FIIA activities are available on our website at www.fiia.fi.
For more information on the tasks of researchers in the Finland and Northern European Security research programme, please contact Programme Director Harri Mikkola Tue 22 April 13–14 and Wed 23 April 13–14, tel. +358 9 432 7701 or e-mail harri.mikkola(at)fiia.fi.
For more information on the tasks of researchers in the European Union and Strategic Competition research programme, please contact Programme Director Juha Jokela, Tue 15 April, 14.30–16 and Mon 28 April, 14.30–16, tel. +358 9 432 7730 or e-mail juha.jokela(at)fiia.fi.
For more information on the tasks of researchers in the Russia, Eastern Europe and Eurasia research programme, please contact Programme Director Arkady Moshes, tel. +358 9 432 7750 on Mon 14 April and Wed 23 April, 14-16, tel. +358 9 432 7750 or e-mail arkady.moshes(at)fiia.fi
For more information on the tasks of researchers in the Global Security and Governance research programme, please contact Programme Director Katja Creutz, tel. +358 9 432 7781 Mon 14 April, 11–12 and Wed 23 April, 10–11, puh. +358 9 432 7781 or e-mail katja.creutz(at)fiia.fi.
Get to know FIIA’s personnel through our Instagram series “People of FIIA” hereavautuu uuteen ikkunaan.