Assistant or Associate Professor in Social Work (Tenure Track Levels 1-2) or Professor of Social Work

The University of Lapland invites applications for the position of Assistant or Associate Professor in Social Work (Tenure Track Levels 1-2) or Professor of Social Work.

The research profile of the position focuses on social and health care service systems, the effectiveness of social work, and information and knowledge practices in social work. Global and societal transformations are reshaping professional social work practice and welfare service systems. At the same time, digital technologies and artificial intelligence are significantly changing knowledge practices, information management, and the organization of social work within service systems.

These developments raise new questions related to social justice, ethics, and professional values, creating a need for critical scholarly inquiry and the strengthening of the research base of social work through interdisciplinary and international collaboration. The Assistant/Associate Professor/Professor is expected to provide academic leadership in research, monitor developments in the discipline, and contribute to societal engagement, international collaboration, and scholarly networks in social work. The position includes responsibility for teaching and curriculum development, particularly in courses related to social and health care service systems and social policy at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. The successful candidate will supervise theses and doctoral dissertations and contribute to the development of teaching in collaboration with the degree programme staff.

The duties also include active collaboration with other faculties of the University of Lapland. The appointee will further strengthen international networks in research and education and participate in programme planning, administration, and academic governance. The position is located in the Discipline of Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lapland. The discipline provides a multidisciplinary and dynamic academic environment. The Faculty of Social Sciences offers nationally recognized education and research in several social science disciplines through four degree programmes and seven major fields of study. The position offers an opportunity to build and lead a nationally and internationally high-quality research in collaboration with the faculty's research communities and other faculties of the University. The successful candidate will be actively supported in applying for competitive research funding, building international research networks, and preparing interdisciplinary research projects.

The position requires regular presence at the University of Lapland campus in Rovaniemi.

We offer

• An excellent academic community
• Diverse and inspiring tasks in research and education
• The stability and support of a well-established university
• Modern working facilities and tools
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement
• Support from experienced colleagues and expert teams
• Comprehensive occupational health care
• Sports, culture, and wellbeing benefits.

The University of Lapland offers a unique research and working environment characterized by northern social issues, the development of welfare services, international collaboration, and Arctic perspectives in social science research.

We expect

Applicants are required to hold a doctoral degree in Social Work and possess expertise in social work acquired through academic education and research. The position further requires the ability and motivation to develop multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research collaboration within the university community as well as nationally and internationally.

In addition, applicants are expected to demonstrate experience in research projects related to:

• social and health care service systems
• the effectiveness of social work
• information management
• information and knowledge practices or
• digital environments and transformations in social work.

Applicants are expected to have a good command of English. Knowledge of Finnish or strong motivation to learn Finnish is also required. For an international applicant or a non-native Finnish speaker, reasonable proficiency in Finnish may be required within five years of appointment, if necessary. The University of Lapland supports international staff members in their integration into the university community and in learning Finnish. According to Section 30 of the University of Lapland Regulations, the criteria and evaluation procedures for Assistant Professorships (Assistant Professor and Associate Professor levels) are defined within the University's Tenure Track model.

Additional merits include

• University pedagogical studies, teacher education studies, or other demonstrated pedagogical merits
• Evidence of multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary research collaboration within the academic community, nationally, or internationally

Recruitment level and evaluation criteria

The position may be filled at the level of Assistant/Associate Professor (Tenure Track Level 1 or Level 2) or Professor, depending on the qualifications, achievements, and career stage of the selected candidate.

Application

The following documentation must be submitted along with the application:

• Curriculum Vitae according to the [model of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity](https://tenk.fi/en/advice-and-materials/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae) (TENK)
• List of publications according to the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland
• [Teaching portfolio](https://lucit.sharepoint.com/sites/Julkisettiedostot/Lapin%20yliopiston%20julkiset%20tiedostot/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FJulkisettiedostot%2FLapin%20yliopiston%20julkiset%20tiedostot%2FHenkil%C3%B6st%C3%B6palvelut%2FInstructions%20for%20the%20teaching%20portfolio%2Epdf&parent=%2Fsites%2FJulkisettiedostot%2FLapin%20yliopiston%20julkiset%20tiedostot%2FHenkil%C3%B6st%C3%B6palvelut&p=true&ga=1) containing a development plan concerning future activity
• A description of the applicant's research profile and future research plans in relation to the focus areas of the position: social and health care service systems, effectiveness of social work, information management, information and knowledge practices, and digital environments in social work
• List of up to 10 publications according to the