Turku region with its 320,000 people, former capital and a major urban area in Finland, is located in the southwestern Finland. A leading hub for technological development and economical growth, Turku has a rich cultural history and is the gateway to a most beautiful archipelago.

The University of Turku is a world-class multidisciplinary research university which offers interesting challenges and a unique vantage point to national and international research and education. The University of Turku is ranked in the top 1 % of universities in the world.

Two Professors or Assistant / Associate Professors in Materials Science and Engineering

The University of Turku is expanding its research and teaching in the field of technology. In the summer of 2019, the University of Turku was granted permission to start new Bachelor's and Master's programs in Materials Science and Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, and in the spring of 2020, the first professors were hired for both fields of technology. Now we are looking for 1-2 innovative Professors or Assistant/Associate Professors (tenure track) for Materials Science and Engineering who want to join us in building a new strategic area of ​​expertise at the University of Turku.

The vacancies will be filled by agreement.

The successful applicants may be appointed to a fixed-term associate / assistant professorship (tenure track) or a permanent full professorship depending on their previous academic merits. For the position of Assistant Professor, we seek proactive researchers and teachers beyond their post doc phase yet still at their early academic career, and who already have a proven track record of scientific research. For the position of Associate Professor, and particularly for the position of Full Professor, we seek experienced and internationally renowned experts who already have excellent publications record and success in acquiring external research funding.

 We are building a diverse team and appreciate applicants from different backgrounds. We value, for example, a proven track record of scientific and social networking, business contacts, social influence, industry or entrepreneurial experience, and multidisciplinary collaboration. For all positions, we require an active approach and genuine enthusiasm for teaching and the development of education. Skills and education in areas such as coaching, leadership, communication or project management are also considered an asset.

We are looking for technology experts who shall establish a new field of research and education within our university in collaboration with experts from technology and natural sciences, economics, law, health sciences, and experts from other fields. For the position of Assistant Professor/Associate Professor, we emphasize a proven international track record of scientific research and teaching experience. In addition to proven track record of scientific research, teaching merits, and social influence, we value success in acquiring external research funding and proof of business collaboration.

The operational environment of the open positions is Technology Campus Turku, a cluster of expertise for academic education and research in technology formed by the University of Turku, Åbo Akademi University, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Novia University of Applied Sciences, the City of Turku, and Turku Science Park. Technology Campus Turku provides a common research and education infrastructure, active business connections and flexible pathways from one level of education to another.

The research and teaching track record of a successful applicant can be attained from any field of materials science and engineering, but should support the development of the technology profile of the University of Turku. Materials Science and Engineering works in close co-operation with Mechanical Engineering and, therefore, the research theme can also be on the interface between these two fields of technology. Materials Science and Engineering currently focuses on three main areas: energy materials, health technologies and modern industrial materials. From the perspective of teaching, relevant themes for the open positions are materials production and recycling, but also cross-cutting themes such as modeling. The applicant must position his/her research work in relation to the designed teaching and research directions in Materials Science and Engineering and other fields of technology of the University of Turku: bio-, material- and information technology.

The duties of the professor include conducting and supervising scientific research, teaching – including supervising Master and PhD students, staying up-to-date with the most current scientific developments in the field, and participating in societal interaction and international cooperation in the field. The professor is expected to co-operate with other research groups, to form and lead his or her own research group and to obtain external research funding at both domestic and international level. In addition, the professor will be actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate education and their development, and also deal with the assigned university administration duties. The professor must have experience as a supervisor and be willing to participate in training supporting supervisory work. We particularly want to encourage female researchers to apply, and we hope that applicants will clearly report possible career breaks (e.g. family leave) in the application.

The qualification requirements of the position are written in the University of Turku rules of procedure.

For information about the tenure track system of the University of Turku visit: Guidelines for the the tenure track system at the UTU.

For applying and general information about recruitment process of a professor /assistant and associate professor at the University of Turku visit: Important Information on Applying

The salary for this particular post is determined in accordance with the university salary system for teaching and research personnel (YPJ). The salary shall be determined when drawing up the employment contract. The position is subject to a six-month trial period.

Applications must be submitted on Monday 4th of May 2020 at the latest via the electronic application form of the University of Turku; link to the application system at the beginning of this announcement (Apply for the job). For the position, please contact professor Kati Miettunen. Any practical issues may be discussed with Faculty Services Manager Merja Fehlig, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.

Working in Finland

We also welcome you cordially to our multicultural working community. In case you are arriving to Finland for the first time, we are offering you a good orientation support.

Please learn more about the culture and people:

• Working culture  https://www.infofinland.fi/en/living-in-finland/work-and-enterprise/finnish-working-culture

• This is Finland https://finland.fi/

• See how it is to work at the University of Turku https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkZ7cMoJbSE&list=PLSmJtlSQuvVJLoW484Z7CjYhiKqDPK4rm&index=3&t=0s