The Faculty of Education and Psychology, Department of Educational Sciences is seeking to recruit a candidate for the position of 

ASSISTANT OF ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR in Social Sustainability and Well-being in Early Years’ Environments of Growth, Tenure Track. 
The position starts on the 1st of October 2022 or as soon as possible after that. 

The position of an assistantprofessor is for a fixedterm of three to fiveyears, and the position of an associateprofessor is for a fixedterm of fiveyears (according to the tenure track model). At theconclusion of eachfixed- termassignment, therewillbe an evaluationprocedure to assesstheemployee'squalifications for promotion to thenextlevel (associate/fullprofessor). 

Tasks and qualifications 

 
The person appointed to the position is expected to carry out high-level research which centers on the growth, development and learning environments of young children (ages covered by early childhood education and care), and families and other institutions from the perspective of social sustainability. A successful applicant is expected to have strong evidence of expertise in early childhood education linked to areas such as the following: participation, equity and wellbeing of children and families, interprofessional collaboration and the interfaces of early childhood education and institutions such as families and work.  

The assistant/associate professor position is linked with the University of Jyväskylä area of strength Learning, Teaching and interaction.The position will strengthen this area and the multidisciplinary profiling area coordinated by the faculty: Social Sustainability for Children and Families, SOSUS (2021-2026). This assistant/associate position is linked with the SOSUS-profiling, which is focused on themes of equity participation and wellbeing and investigation on how different environments and affordances impact children’s growth and development and wellbeing of families. Social sustainability is conceptualized as equal opportunities for all, supporting of pluralism and acclaiming diversity, and increasing wellbeing.  

The person appointed to the position is expected to strengthen the Faculty’s areas of strength, in particular, those of childhood, family, interaction and wellbeing, and research of the Department of Educational sciences, specifically in the area of childhood and family studies. 

Candidates are required to have a doctoral degree in educational sciences or an applicable field. Candidates should have an excellent record of conducting and publishing scientific research, establishing international networks, acquiring external funding, and teaching and supervision of theses. Please see the general requirements for appointing an assistant professor or associate professor (tenure track). Pedagogical training is considered an asset. An additional asset is evidence of development and impact in the field. 

Responsibilities of assistant/associate professors include research related to their research area, acquiring external funding, carrying out research projects, leadership duties and high-level publications. Duties include teaching focusing at the basic advanced levels in the field of the position and related development tasks and supervision of theses.The person appointed to the position is expected to lead and actively participate in research activities in the SOSUS profiling area. The person appointed to the position is also expected to pursue research activities which are linked with the research infrastructure of the Department of Educational Sciences and its networks, to commit oneself to active development of the research area, supervision of doctoral students, promoting of interdisciplinary research and acquiring competitive research funding including EU, ERC and Finnish Academy of Science funding.   

Learn more about the general conditions for the position of Assistant / Associate Professor.   

The University is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions, and undertakes the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland.  

What do we offer? 
 
The university supports the beginning of the assistant/associate professorship in forming a research group and implementing the research plan. We support success on the career path.  
The Faculty is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions, and undertakes the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland. We appreciate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 

Salaries are based on job demands and employees’ performance following the Finnish University Salary System. A holiday bonus is paid to all employees. There is a trial period of six months at the start of the period of employment. 

 
We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, and flexible working hours. Finland provides one of the most advanced and comprehensive social security in the world including e.g., sickness benefits, various family benefits and a comprehensive healthcare system. Please read more about working at the University of Jyväskylä, the City of Jyväskylä and living in Finland.   
 
A competent and prosperous scientific community 
 
At the University of Jyväskylä, you are a respected member of the university community. You get the opportunity to learn from your colleagues and meet high-level researchers from the full spectrum of disciplines. Here the barriers between disciplines are low. We offer you meaningful career where you can make a real impact not only in your field, but also to society. 
 
You will become part of our international and multidisciplinary community where the wellbeing of everyone is important. We provide a good setting for a mobile and healthy lifestyle on and around campus. Jyväskylä region offers beautiful nature and various sport and cultural activities within close distance from home and work.   
 
Take a closer look at our workplace by watching the Faculty video on youtube 

How to apply  

The application should include: 
(the name of the applicant must always be mentioned in the file name, all the documents should be on PDF format.) 

1. A cover / motivation letter   
2. Curriculum vitae, including personal ORCID ID (A template from The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity is preferred). The CV is strictly limited to four (4) pages.   
3. A numbered list of all scientific publications and other publications showing the applicants ability and merits   
4. A  maximum of five (5) main publications, numbered in accordance with the list of publications 
5. A brief description of the applicant’s merits related to research, research leadership,  and research funding, and a research plan related to the position and a vision of how the applicant’s current and future activities will complement those of the Department of Educational Sciences in the field and position being applied for (total of max 4 pages).  
6. Portfolio of teaching credits (max. 3 pages). 

Applicants are asked to submit their applications using the online application form by March  20th 2022. 

For further information, please contact the Head of the Department of Educational Sciences Leena Halttunen, leena.halttunen@jyu.fi, +358504413677 or Head of Administration Paula Hassinen, paula.k.hassinen@jyu.fi +358504273068 


The Faculty of Education and Psychology seeks to further learning and wellbeing in building a sustainable future society.The strengths of research in the faculty center on learning, teaching and interaction with specific foci on Education, teaching and interventions; Psychological and neurocognitive basis of learning; Interactive and technology-enhanced learning environments; Childhood, family, interaction and wellbeing; and Wellbeing, learning and interaction at work.  

 The Faculty of Education and Psychology comprises three departments – Educational Sciences, Teacher Education, and Psychology – and theTeacher Training School. The faculty has 30 professorships. The number of staff is about 350, a hundred of whom work at the Teacher Training School. The faculty coordinates a number of infrastructures and networks, including the Centre for Interdisciplinary Brain Research (CIBR), the Methodology Centre for Human Sciences (IHME), the Psychotherapy Training and Research Centre, Multidisciplinary Research Network on Children and Families, and the Center of Excellence InterLearn. 

The University of Jyväskylä  is a human-centered environment of 2,500 experts and 14,500 students. Our goal is to create wisdom and wellbeing for all. We cultivate the skills, knowledge and passion needed to live wisely for the benefit of humanity. An open dialogue between research, education and society is our driving force. We cherish this balance and believe it is essential that each member of the community thrives and has opportunities to develop and grow. Our naturally beautiful campus is located in the heart of the city of Jyväskylä. The University of Jyväskylä is the third largest employer in Central Finland.