Postdoc in Helsinki?

[Querfeldein]

I have been offered a job as a "University Researcher" at the University of Helsinki. Of course, my decision will ultimately depend on the science I could do in Helsinki compared the other places I am considering, which is up to me to decide. Still, I would be grateful if you could help me get some idea about what living in Helsinki and working at the University of Helsinki would be like. Also, if you happen to work at the University of Helsinki (or elsewhere in Finland in a similar position), please send me a message, and I may ask you some more specific questions that need not come up in a google search...

• How "international" is the University of Helsinki? I know that seminars, journal clubs etc. are all held in English, but how about the social life - are there a lot of expats?
• Here in the UK, a lot of my social life revolves around the university. Would that be similar in Helsinki? I know there is a university gym, for example, but are there many other "organised" activities that would be easy to engage in, as a member of staff? When I moved to the UK, these turned out to be the easiest way for me to meet people.
• This may be very speculative, but how do you see the chances for a foreigner to have a career in the Finnish university system? My contract is for three years - how would you rate the chances to find something permanent, compared to other countries? Are there any programs similar to the "Royal Society URF" (UK) or "Emmy Noether" (Germany) that I could apply to, other than the ERC starting grants?
• My offer quotes a salary in the range of €3800-4000 per month, before tax. I'm not in academia to get rich, but I would like to lead a fairly comfortable life. Am I right in thinking that I will be able to afford a nice 1 or two bedroom flat close to the Kumpula campus, buy decent food, and still be able to go out from time to time? I don't plan on having a car, and don't have a very "materialistic" lifestyle, although I do like to travel.
• Also, I am very much into running, and I'm a bit dreary of the Finnish winters. Are there any places where you can go running year-round? I don't mind the cold so much, but you can't run in deep snow. I will of course try some winter sports, but I feel like running is quite essential for my emotional well-being

Thank you very much for your help - and with some luck, I'll soon be asking much more specific questions about life in Helsinki

[betelgeuse]

My offer quotes a salary in the range of €3800-4000 per month, before tax. I'm not in academia to get rich, but I would like to lead a fairly comfortable life. Am I right in thinking that I will be able to afford a nice 1 or two bedroom flat close to the Kumpula campus, buy decent food, and still be able to go out from time to time? I don't plan on having a car, and don't have a very "materialistic" lifestyle, although I do like to travel.

http://prosentti.vero.fi/VPL2015/Sivut/ ... ieli=en-US
http://asunnot.oikotie.fi/vuokrahaku

You are making well above average so doing what you describe is not a problem. You should have money to save since you don't have a car.

Also, I am very much into running, and I'm a bit dreary of the Finnish winters. Are there any places where you can go running year-round? I don't mind the cold so much, but you can't run in deep snow. I will of course try some winter sports, but I feel like running is quite essential for my emotional well-being

The city clears the sidewalks and some paths. It's not a problem to run almost year round. The couple days when it's actually cold you might skip. For example this winter has so far been very mild and there really hasn't been that much snow.

[gfunho]

I can answer some:

This may be very speculative, but how do you see the chances for a foreigner to have a career in the Finnish university system? My contract is for three years - how would you rate the chances to find something permanent, compared to other countries? Are there any programs similar to the "Royal Society URF" (UK) or "Emmy Noether" (Germany) that I could apply to, other than the ERC starting grants?

Getting a permanent position in a finnish university nowadays is very difficult. Typical situation is to "chain" one contract after another until you get tired. How long and good the contracts depends on your academic merits and your capacity of acquiring research funds. About programs other than the ERC grants, there is the Academy of Finland positions (postdoc or research fellow) which will give you 4-5 years with a more confortable salary, money to travel and possible funds to hire somebody for your group. It is however very competitive (less than ERC, for sure), but still doable if you are good and a bit lucky.

My offer quotes a salary in the range of €3800-4000 per month, before tax. I'm not in academia to get rich, but I would like to lead a fairly comfortable life. Am I right in thinking that I will be able to afford a nice 1 or two bedroom flat close to the Kumpula campus, buy decent food, and still be able to go out from time to time? I don't plan on having a car, and don't have a very "materialistic" lifestyle, although I do like to travel.

The salary range is quite nice for a post-doc. In Finland, it will not be easy to get much more than that unless you bring "your own research money" in the shape of projects and similar. I would say that most post-docs get a little less than that, but I am not sure of the specifics of Helsinki University, since I don't have access to the slide with the salary system (YPJ Helsinki).

[Upphew]

Also, I am very much into running, and I'm a bit dreary of the Finnish winters. Are there any places where you can go running year-round? I don't mind the cold so much, but you can't run in deep snow. I will of course try some winter sports, but I feel like running is quite essential for my emotional well-being

Snow isn't the problem, you might miss a day or two, but it will get plowed away. Ice is a problem. But there is a solution for that too: http://icebug.com/int/produkter/?produc ... =bugrip-en

[Querfeldein]

Thank you very much for your answers so far! My official job title would be university researcher, which is apparently one level (and pay grade) above postdoc in the University of Helsinki system. However, the fixed term nature of the job means it is effectively a postdoc position.

Of course, permanent positions are difficult to get in any country, but there are still a few differences. For example, I would say it is easier in the UK compared to Germany, where at least in my field, there are almost no positions below the professor level, whereas in the UK, there are positions such as "lecturer", "reader", and even some people on long-term contracts that are subject to renewal, but without the expectation that you must leave when your term is up. It looks like Helsinki has at least a few different categories of permanent jobs.

Thanks also for pointing out the Academy of Finland. I will look into the application process for the "Academy Research Fellowships", which sound like the equivalent of the UK and German programs I mentioned. Of course, I expect them to be very competitive, but then of course, there are probably no easy routes towards a permanent job in academia.

I actually have some limited experience in running on ice (I like yaktrax), but I am sure I will go with the local knowledge. I know ice won't stop me, but I couldn't cope with huge amounts of snow. Here in the UK, or at lease in my part of the country, major roads are usually cleared, but side roads, cycle paths or side walks are not, making running (or actually just walking) difficult when there is a lot of snow. That only happens for maybe a week or two every other year, so it's not a big deal either, but I was worried it could be like this for months on end, every year.

[Upphew]

I actually have some limited experience in running on ice (I like yaktrax), but I am sure I will go with the local knowledge. I know ice won't stop me, but I couldn't cope with huge amounts of snow. Here in the UK, or at lease in my part of the country, major roads are usually cleared, but side roads, cycle paths or side walks are not, making running (or actually just walking) difficult when there is a lot of snow. That only happens for maybe a week or two every other year, so it's not a big deal either, but I was worried it could be like this for months on end, every year.

http://www.hel.fi/www/Helsinki/en/maps- ... intenance/

edit.
http://www.hel.fi/static/hkr/katu/hoitoluokitus.jpg
http://www.hel.fi/static/hkr/katu/katuj ... okitus.pdf
In theory, you should have the busiest sidewalks cleared within 4 hours after the snow. Oh, and you'll love our combined cycle path-side walks... not.

[Querfeldein]

I have accepted the position! I really look forward to moving to Helsinki in the autumn, and I'm sure I'll have lots of questions beforehand. I'll also be visiting for a week in March. Thanks again for all your help here.