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Assistant / Associate Professor (Tenure Track) in Biodiversity and Sustainable Future

Published date more than one year ago
Posted: more than one year ago
Company University of Turku
Company: University of Turku
End date Feb. 14, 2022
Due date: Feb. 14, 2022
Location Turku
Location: Turku

Assistant / Associate professor (Tenure Track) in Biodiversity and Sustainable Future

The Faculty of Science is looking for an assistant or associate professor (tenure track) in the field of Biodiversity and sustainable future. The task strengthens multidisciplinary research on biodiversity, biodiversity loss and sustainable futures at Biodiversity Unit, University of Turku.

The University of Turku (UTU) is an internationally active ad attractive research university whose strength lies in high-quality, multidisciplinary research. We promote education and free science and provide higher education based on research. We collaborate closely with Finnish society and actively participate in the development of the region. According to our vision, the University of Turku, is a high-quality, internationally recognized research university, proactively fosters both well-being and sustainable future. The open task strengthens research integrating Biodiversity and sustainability at the University of Turku. The position also strengthens the research and development of the Academy of Finland Profi6-funded BIODIFORM research consortium.

BIODIFORM: Biodiversity and systemic transformation. The UTU strategy 2021-2030 identifies six strategic research and education profiles that advance multidisciplinary research and education between faculties, strengthen internal collaboration and create platforms for networks, business collaboration, innovations and strategic partnerships. The strategic profile ‘Biodiversity and sustainability’ is implemented through the Academy of Finland Profi6-funded BIODIFORM research consortium addressing the biodiversity crisis and the need for systemic transformation from the perspectives of both natural and human sciences. Besides the Faculty of Science (Biodiversity Unit) and the Turku School of Economics (Deaprtment of Management and Organisation), which are leading the consortium, the BIODIFORM research consortium includes the Finland Futures Research Centre (Turku School of Economics), the School of History, Culture and Arts (Faculty of Humanities), the Departments of Chemistry and Biology and the Department of Geography and Geology (Faculty of Science).

The vacant position operates especially at the interdisciplinary crossroads of biodiversity and business research – two so far distinct disciplines that have begun to discover not only the need but also the various possibilities of closer collaboration. The field of expertise sought is in the remit of transformations toward sustainable, biodiversity-respectful future. This raises questions as regards e.g. understanding biodiversity loss from a broad perspective and finding solutions for tackling biodiversity loss in the interface of different disciplines. While the position is particularly positioned at the crossroads between the disciplines of biodiversity and business studies research, in the remit of the Profi6 BIODIFORM research consortium, it is also connected to future studies, humanities and arts, geography, biology, and/or chemistry, with opportunities for conceptual integration between the disciplines.

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.

The successful applicant is expected to have experience and willingness in conducting research in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary settings, and operate with a systemic, collaborative mindset. The selection process therefore also emphasizes the applicant’s experiences in teamwork, collaboration and coordination skills. The successful applicant will join an interdisciplinary team working at the crossroads of biodiversity, business studies and beyond and will be mentored during the tenure track period.

This professorship is located at the Biodiversity Unit of the University of Turku, Faculty of Sciences. Research should strengthen the development of the university´s thematic collaboration Biodiversity and Sustainability (via the Academy of Finland Profi6-funded BIODIFORM-consortium). The applicant is also expected to have knowledge on global biodiversity issues and strong experience of disseminating them to a wide audience. Obs. At the same time, the School of Economics is looking for another assistant or associate professor (tenure track) of the BIODIFORM-consortium in the field of Biodiversity and business.

The Biodiversity Unit consists of the Natural History Museum and the Aerobiology Unit on campus in Turku, the Botanical Garden in Ruissalo, the Kevo Subarctic Research Institute in Utsjoki, and the Archipelago Research Institute on the island of Seili. Research topics addressed by our staff and students include e.g. global biodiversity crisis, the effect of climate change on subarctic biodiversity, the diversity of a wide range of taxa, and threats to the Archipelago Sea, and the enhancement of biodiversity awareness through environmental education and nature-/science-based tourism and recreation.

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 assistant / associate professor is expected to collaborate with other research groups, to form and lead his/ her own research group and to obtain external research funding at both domestic and international levels. Moreover, the assistant / associate 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 Biodiversity Unit.

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 11 February 2022 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 Director of the Biodiversity Unit of the University of Turku, Professor Ilari Sääksjärvi (Tel. +35-40-5460976). Any practical issues may be discussed with the Head of Faculty Administration Merja Fehlig, Faculty of Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.

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