Junior researcher (doctoral researcher) in business-to-business sales

LUT Business School is looking for a junior researcher (doctoral researcher) in business-to-business sales to strengthen its sales research team.
We are seeking a curious mind who is eager to uncover novel insights into how businesses can succeed in international competition sustainably. We are looking for a motivated candidate with a strong desire to learn and to join our sales research team in the area of sustainable selling as a doctoral student.
Junior researchers are required to have a master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., international business, industrial engineering and management, marketing), 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 must submit an application for the right to complete doctoral studies with all required appendices to the LUT Doctoral School within the first two months of the employment relationship.
Written and spoken proficiency in English is required in this position. You should have basic knowledge of sales and marketing management or another relevant field.
The job entails writing a dissertation on a research area such as

• sustainable selling practices in B2B markets
• selling sustainable products and services in B2B markets
• customer behaviour related to buying sustainable offerings in B2B markets

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 become an expert in business-to-business sales research
• 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
• Encouraging and supportive supervision by and research collaboration with Associate Professor Joona Keränen, Professor Suvi Nenonen, and Assistant Professor Jenni Sipilä, who are all experts in the subject area
• Depending on the chosen applicant’s preferences, there is also a possibility to complete a dual doctoral degree from both LUT and RMIT University Business School in Melbourne, Australia.

The work will start in January–March 2025 (negotiable) with a six-month trial period. The job is based in Lahti, Finland.
The salary is based on the current collective agreement for Finnish universities. The typical gross annual starting salary for a junior researcher is approximately 32 500 euros a year. The salary includes a personal performance-based element. Junior researchers who meet certain publishing criteria are also eligible for publication bonuses.
In addition, the wide range of benefits that come with the job include 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 continued commitment to your support, learning, training, and development.
How to apply
The deadline for applications is 1 December 2024 at midnight, Finnish local time (UTC +2h). 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

Only applications including the required documents will be considered.
For more information, please contact Associate Professor Joona Keränen, joona.keranen@lut.fi.
Read more about LUT as an employer and the LUT Doctoral School.
Explore 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: 2024-10-07 08:00Application period ends: 2024-12-01 23:59

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