Professor, Gastrointestinal Surgery

We are now looking for a

Professor of Gastrointestinal Surgery

to join us in the Research unit of Translational Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine.

The Translational Medicine Research Unit is one of five research units within the Faculty of Medicine. It brings together expertise in surgery, anesthesia, intensive care, anatomy, cancer, pathology and clinical chemistry; the idea for unit organization is to cross the boundaries between theoretical and clinical medicine. The unit provides patient-centered, evidence-based research to investigate, prevent, diagnose, and treat human illness. In parallel, we are committed to providing high-level evidence-based education in medicine, dentistry, and related fields at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The University of Oulu is one of the most multidisciplinary universities in Finland and unique in its northern location. Our profile is built on research excellence, generating new knowledge and innovations that address global challenges, including those in medicine. We offer a stimulating and inspiring working environment where you can combine clinical practice with multidisciplinary collaboration, apply your expertise, and contribute to impactful research and education. Our flexible and family-friendly workplace policies help ensure a good work–life balance. The University of Oulu ranks among the top 3% of universities worldwide.

About the job

The position of a professor is the highest academic role at the university. Professors conduct, lead, and develop scientific research, provide research-based education, engage with society, and participate in international cooperation within their field.

In this role you will:

• Conduct and lead scientific research in the field of gastrointestinal surgery
• Establish and maintain an active research group with international collaboration and secure external funding for research projects 
• Provide undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and supervise theses 
• Participate in postgraduate and continuing professional education, and collaborate between both clinical and theoretical disciplines in medicine 
• Contribute to academic leadership, curriculum development, and societal interaction in the field 
• Contribute to the development of evidence-based clinical practice and education in collaboration with Oulu University Hospital

What we offer

• The support of an experienced and enthusiastic team of different specialties of surgery, operative care and beyond, where you can share your expertise and grow as an expert.
• Meaningful work with strong societal impact.
• A collaborative and multidisciplinary research and teaching environment.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture, and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• We have an HR Excellence in Research -quality label, which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers. 
• If you are moving from abroad, we offer comprehensive relocation packages to support your smooth relocation to Oulu.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and your close ones in settling into Oulu. 
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, an excellent education system, and a competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Who are you?

You are an experienced clinician–scientist with a doctoral degree and specialist training in gastrointestinal surgery.

We require from you: 

• Doctoral degree in Medicine and clinical specialty in gastrointestinal surgery
• Strong scientific competence with an international professor level track record and ability to conduct and lead independent research
• Experience in supervising and leading research projects and doctoral students
• International research collaboration and recognition in your field
• Strong motivation and ability to provide high-quality, research-based teaching with  broad experience in undergraduate education
• Ability to contribute to the Faculty’s multidisciplinary teaching and research profile
• Fluency in English and good command in Finnish, the teaching language is Finnish

We also appreciate

• Pedagogical training and active contribution to educational development 
• Experience in general surgery
• Any international merit and expertise
• Formal clinical or university level pedagogical training 
• National or international participation in professional medical associations 

Salary

The position is permanent as of 1.8.2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The salary will be based on the levels 8-10 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (a maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). The starting gross salary will be approx. 6000 – 7200 € per month (before taxes).  A trial period of 6 months is applied to the position.

The position may include a secondary position at Oulu University Hospital, which will be agreed upon separately.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 30.4.2026 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

The application should be written in English and include the following:

1. Cover letter 
2. CV following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
3. List of publications following the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland
4. Brief account of research merits 
5. Teaching portfolio (maximum five pages) containing:
   1. Teaching philosophy, teaching strategies, and methods 
   2. A description of oneself as a teacher and an implementer of educational work 
   3. Practical experience in teaching and efforts to improve teaching, digital teaching skills and giving feedback, possible participation in continuous learning provision, and international educational collaboration 
   4. Production and use of learning materials, including open educational resources 
   5. Maintaining and developing one’s own teaching and supervision competence; description of one’s pedagogical training; the significance of research in maintaining and developing one's teaching and supervision competence 
   6. Feedback received on teaching (student evaluations, peer evaluations, awards, and assessed test lectures) 
   7. Vision for the development of one’s teaching 
6. Details regarding the acquisition of research funds 
7. A brief research and action plan 

The selection process follows the University of Oulu recruitment guidelines and is carried out by a recruitment committee. The candidates are subjected to publication analyses based on their publication lists. The candidates who are considered most suitable by the recruitment committee will undergo an expert evaluation assessing the following merits:

• Scientific excellence: Research outputs, such as publications, research data, methods, scientific quality, openness, scientific renewal, and impact
• Research activities, such as acquisition of competitive research funds, presentations, workshops and seminars, trans- or multidisciplinary, awards, honours
• International scientific activities and collaboration
• Teaching, supervision of undergraduate students and doctoral researchers, mentoring activities, and pedagogical studies
• Societal relevance, impact, and potential of scientific activities, such as patents and inventions, stakeholder activities, expert work, science popularisation, promotion of the SDGs, and citizen science
• Services for the academic community, such as peer review, editorial work, academic expert, and administrative tasks
• Leadership and interaction skills 

The person selected for the position of Professor must achieve a rating of “excellent” or “outstanding”, both in the overall grade and in the category “scientific excellence”. Top candidates will also be invited to an on-site or remote interview and asked to give a teaching demonstration as part of the assessment of teaching skills. In the evaluation of teaching skills, the person selected for the position of professor must achieve at least the grade “very good” (4/5). All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including people of different ages, genders, languages, cultures, and minority communities.

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact:

Professor Petri Lehenkari
Faculty of Medicine
Research Unit of Translational Medicine
e- mail: petri.lehenkari(at)oulu.fi

If you have any questions concerning the recruitment process, please contact:
Human Resources Manager Tiina Pääkkönen
Faculty of Medicine
e- mail: tiina.paakkonen(at)oulu.fi