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.

Assistant/associate professor (Tenure Track) in human-nature interactions and sustainability

The Faculty of Science is looking for an assistant or associate professor (tenure track) in the field of human-nature interactions and sustainability research. The task strengthens integrative research natural and human sciences at the Department of Geography and Geology at the University of Turku, taking into account both sustainability research and digitalisation perspectives.

The successful applicant may be appointed to a fixed-term assistant / associate professorship (tenure track) depending on previous academic merits. For the position of Assistant Professor, we seek a highly talented researcher, beyond the postdoc phase, yet still at an early stage of the academic career who has shown initiative and innovation in research and teaching and potential to be merited to full professorship. For the position of Associate Professor, we seek an experienced and internationally renowned expert who already has an excellent publication record and success in acquiring external research funding. We expect that a candidate is an active member of academic and societal networks related to this position and has contacts with business.

The Assistant Professor conducts research on the interactions between human and nature. Research should strengthen the effectiveness of geography in biodiversity and sustainability research, taking into account the impacts and opportunities of digitalisation. The Assistant  / Associate Professor works closely with the University’s thematic entities ‘Biodiversity and Sustainability’, and ‘Future Technologies and the Digital World’. She / He will expand research and teaching on the interactions between biodiversity, sustainability and digitalisation at the university. The applicant is also expected to have strong knowledge of the use of geospatial data and methods, as well as research settings in sustainability research.

The duties of the Assistant / Associate Professor include conducting and supervising scientific research, teaching – including supervision of Master’s and PhD students and scientific postgraduate studies, keeping up to date with the most current (state of the art) scientific developments, as well as participating in societal interaction and international cooperation in the field. The professor is expected to collaborate 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 levels. Moreover, the professor is expected to actively participate and develop basic and PhD level teaching and to contribute to administrative tasks. A person selected for the post will be working at the Department of Geography and Geology | University of Turku (utu.fi)

The position is subject to a six-month trial period.

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.

Information about the tenure track system of the University of Turku and Applying and Recruitment process of a professor /assistant and associate professor at the University of Turku. The qualification requirements of the position can be found in the University of Turku rules of procedure.

The University is committed to promoting non-discrimination, equality and diversity in our community. All interested applicants, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply.

Applications must be submitted on 25 October 2021 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 the Head of Department of Geography and Geology, Professor Petteri Alho (+358503285719). Any practical issues may be discussed with Head of Faculty Administration Merja Fehlig, Faculty of Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.

Working in Finland

The university offers good support and orientation for international hires. Please learn more about the culture and people:

• Finland - a superpower of education and innovations | University of Turku (utu.fi)
• Working culture 
• This is Finland  
• See how it is to work at the University of Turku: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkZ7cMoJbSE&list=PLSmJtlSQuvVJLoW484Z7CjYhiKqDPK4rm&index=3&t=0s