Director for the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies

The Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies (HCAS) is an independent institute of advanced study within the University of Helsinki. It provides a top-class, international research environment for scholars in the humanities and social sciences. The Collegium promotes innovative interdisciplinary cooperation, both within the Collegium and at the University of Helsinki.

The Collegium strives to be a flagship for the humanities and social sciences at the University of Helsinki and to promote the development of new bold approaches to collaborative interdisciplinary research in the humanities and social sciences and other fields of research. Each year, the Collegium offers circa 20 fellowships across the range of focus areas. Collegium fellows are recruited in a highly competitive fellowship call to work on their research projects. The fellows participate actively in the University’s research education and are encouraged to be engaged across the wider University. Learn more about our community: https://youtu.be/PAuV5x8KjLo

We are now looking for a

Director for the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies

to be appointed to a five-year fixed term position from 1 August 2023 or as agreed to lead and develop the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies.

The director of the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies must have a strategic and future-oriented vision for the development of the Collegium and its role in promoting the research strategy and internationalisation of the University of Helsinki. The appointee must have experience in international state-of-the-art research in a scientific field relevant to the Collegium’s activities and a solid background in management and leadership. The appointee is expected to provide a long-term plan of how to develop the activities of the Collegium, respecting its diversity of disciplinary fields, how to foster active and multifaceted collaborations with the Faculties, the University community, the University’s senior leadership and stakeholders.

To succeed in this role, you must have:

• Experience in interdisciplinary work, management of research, and acquisition of research funding.
• Evidence of success in diverse and demanding management and leadership positions, the management of a financially accountable unit, and organisational development
• Solid people management skills
• Interactive and networked approach to management and good cooperation and negotiation skills

The position requires a doctoral degree in one of the fields relevant to the Collegium mission. To successfully attend to the duties of the position, the appointee must have good English skills. Proficiency in Finnish or Swedish is useful, but not necessary.

The Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies is an active, long-term venture where we offer you an inspiring position in a multidisciplinary research environment of the highest standards. The Collegium is well integrated into the academic life of the Faculties of Arts, Social Sciences, Theology, Educational Sciences and Law. The new Director is expected to strengthen the existing collaborations. Collegium Fellows belong to all career stages and are selected on the basis of scientific and academic merit, covering a wide range of academic fields. The Director is together with the Board responsible for appointing the Fellows and safeguarding this core diversity. The Director is a member of the University’s extended management group.

Please submit your application through the University’s electronic recruitment system by 7 February 2023 by clicking on the link below. Current employees of the University of Helsinki can submit their applications through the SAP Fiori system. We ask applicants to note that, as the University is an institution under public law, its recruitments are public. 

Further information about the position can be obtained from Vice-Rector Hanna Snellman (contact via Executive Assistant Merja Hykkönen, [email protected] or +358 2941 57662) and Head of Human Resources Hanna Lotti ([email protected] or +358 2941 23264).