Professor or Assistant/Associate Professor in Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology

The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, invites applications for the position of

PROFESSOR OR ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSORIN TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY

The candidate is expected to have a strong track record in the field of terrestrial ecosystem ecology and to be committed to excellence in research, research training and undergraduate education.  Suitable research topics include, for instance, carbon and/or nitrogen cycling/budgets and feedbacks, trophic interactions and dynamics, and species effects on ecosystem processes in the Arctic, boreal, or temperate region (under the changing climate). Experience in utilizing and developing advanced field and experimental research methods, large datasets as well as statistical, modelling, or remote sensing approaches to study ecosystem processes is considered an advantage. The selected candidate is expected to build up and lead an independent research group, acquire external research funding, and conduct innovative research. Duties will include supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students and actively participating in the teaching of Bachelor’s courses (e.g. Human Interactions with Nature and Biogeochemical Cycles, From Individuals to Ecosystems) and Master’s courses (incl. field courses)related to the field of the position, and taking responsibility for long-term curriculum development of the Environmental Bachelor’s Programme (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/degree-programmes/ymparistotieteiden-kandiohjelma) and the Master’s Programme in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/degree-programmes/environmental-change-and-global-sustainability-masters-programme).  

The successful applicant may be appointed to a fixed-term assistant / associate professorship (tenure track) (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/academic-careers/university-helsinki-tenure-track ), or to a tenured full professorship depending on the applicant’s qualifications and career stage. We are looking for candidates who would complement the scientific profile of the Faculty’s Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-biological-and-environmental-sciences/research ).

An appointee to a professorship must have a doctoral degree; have top-level scholarly qualifications, experience in the supervision of scientific research, and the ability to provide top-level research-based teaching and to supervise theses and dissertations. Evidence of international cooperation is required in the chosen research field.

An appointee to an assistant or associate professorship must have a doctoral degree, ability to conduct independent scholarly work, and teaching skills necessary for the position. Other requirements include the ability and motivation to pursue a scientific career, as demonstrated by publications or other means. Early-stage independent researchers are also encouraged to apply.

When considering the applicant’s qualifications, attention will be given to scientific publications and their impact in the applicant’s field of research, teaching experience, pedagogical competence, supervision of undergraduate and graduate theses, as well as participation in doctoral education. Skills in student-centred and blended learning approaches using digital tools is considered an advantage. Furthermore, applicant’s activity in the scientific community, success in obtaining external research funding, international research experience and positions in international organizations will be considered. The University of Helsinki has signed the DORA Declaration and applies its principles when assessing the scientific merit of applicants.

There is no requirement to be proficient in Finnish for foreign citizens, non-native Finnish citizens or citizens who have not been educated in Finnish or Swedish. To successfully attend to the duties of the position, the appointee must have good skills in English.

The starting annual gross salary for assistant/associate professors typically amounts to 60,000 - 72,000 euros and for professors to 72,000 – 92,000 euros, depending on the appointee’s career stage and scholarly qualifications. In addition to the facilities and research infrastructure that are currently available, the Faculty will provide a startup package to the appointee.

The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, language courses, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development. The International Staff Services office assists employees from abroad with their transition to work and life in Finland. For more information, see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/information-arriving-international-staff .

The University of Helsinki is an international scientific community of 40,000 students and researchers. It is one of the leading multidisciplinary research universities and ranks among the top 100 international universities in the world. We are committed to the principles and practices of open science. We are an equal opportunity employer and offer an attractive and diverse workplace in an inspiring environment with a variety of development opportunities and benefits.

The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-biological-and-environmental-sciences ) is Finland’s premier hub for life science research and education. The professorship is based in the Ecosystem and Environment Research Programme, which is one of the three Research Programmes in the Faculty. Strong research areas of the Programme, which are also reflected in teaching, focus on Arctic regions, marine and freshwater ecosystems, and urban areas. For further information, see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-biological-and-environmental-sciences/research/ecosystems-and-environment .

The research and teaching activities at the Viikki Campus are supported by state-of-the-art infrastructures (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-biological-and-environmental-sciences/research-infrastructures ). Within the Faculty, experimental and field research on terrestrial ecosystems can also be done at the biological research stations in Kilpisjärvi and Lammi (see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-biological-and-environmental-sciences/research/biological-research-stations ).

Application procedure. Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications the following documents in English:
1) CV
2) A report on the applicant’s previous research activities and acquired external funding (total funding, broken down over the last 10 years amounts, status as PI or co-PI, funding agency, project name), and a plan for how the applicant intends to develop their research and focus their activities in the future. (max. 3 pages)
3) A report (max. 3 pages) of experience and merits which are of relevance for the evaluation of teaching skills (please see the evaluation guidelines at https://www.helsinki.fi/assets/drupal/2023-08/bytdk_teaching_skills_assessment_matrix_010418.pdf )

4) A numbered list of publications in English and other works with which the applicant wishes to demonstrate their competence and merits, with maximum 10 most important publications highlighted with brief explanations. Copies of these publications maybe requested as material for the assessors.

Alternatively, an academic portfolio maybe provided containing the above documents and information.