The University of Helsinki has introduced a TENURE TRACK for teaching and research personnel, intended to increase the predictability, competitiveness and attractiveness of academic careers while promoting internationalisation at the University.
The University employs talented, motivated academics who have completed their doctoral degree three to seven years ago and have since accrued academic and other relevant qualifications. Successful applicants will be employed as assistant professors. The duration of the employment contract will be two to five years, depending on the appointee's background and experience. If the appointee produces successful work which fulfils pre-determined criteria, employment may be continued with a second fixed-term contract, after which the appointee may receive a permanent position as professor.
The academic qualifications and teaching experience of applicants will be considered when making the selection. Additional merit will be granted for working outside Finland and other international experience as well as experience in acquiring research funding.
The Faculty of Science is announcing one open tenure-track position, located in the Division of Geography at the Department of Geosciences and Geography.
The Department of Geosciences and Geography is among the leading Finnish research and education units in its field. In addition to research in geology and geography, the Department conducts seismologic research and attends to official duties related to seismology. The Department has an overall budget of more than EUR 7 million, and a staff of over 100, of whom 14 are professors.
Major subjects available at the Department include geology, geography and regional studies. Geography comprises three specialisation options: physical geography, human geography and geoinformatics. In addition, geography offers the option to specialise as a subject teacher. Of the disciplines at the Division of Geology, quaternary and environmental geology as well as geochemistry and hydrogeology are particularly important partners for physical geography.
The field of the assistant professorship is SPATIAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
The appointee to the position of assistant professor is expected to conduct research of an internationally high level. In addition, the appointee must take advantage of national and international research funding opportunities, participate in teaching and doctoral education at the Department as well as be active in the interaction between science and society at large.
The Department places particular weight on documented research in the physical-chemical processes of aquatic and terrestrial environments or ecosystem research. The Department houses well-equipped, functional laboratories, which the assistant professor is expected to support in his or her research.
Applications must be accompanied by an English-language curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a report on experience and qualifications which are relevant in the evaluation of teaching skills, as well as other relevant documents, or an English-language academic portfolio including the previously mentioned documents and the necessary information (instructions are available here: http://www.helsinki.fi/facultyofscience/vacancies/portfolio.pdf). In addition, the application must include a two-page English-language report on how the applicant intends to develop research in his or her own field while in this position.
Upon request from the Faculty, applicants should prepare to submit ten publications of their own choice to be sent to assessors after the application period. The publications must be submitted via email as PDF attachments.
The application must be addressed to the Faculty of Science. The Faculty requests that the application and its enclosures be sent to the University of Helsinki Registry via email to hy-kirjaamo(at)Helsinki.fi. Applications may also be submitted by post to the following address: University of Helsinki Registry, P.O. Box 33 (Yliopistonkatu 4), 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland. The closing date for applications is 27 April 2011 at 15.45 local Helsinki time.
Further information may be obtained from Professor Miska Luoto, , tel. +358 9 191 50768.
Helsinki, 28 March 2011
University of Helsinki Central Administration