Tenure Track Position in Automation Technology (Robotics; recyclability of batteries and battery materials)

2 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Vaasa

Research Field

Engineering » Electrical engineering
Engineering
Technology » Energy technology
Technology

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
Established Researcher (R3)
Leading Researcher (R4)

Country

Finland

Application Deadline

29 Feb 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Type of Contract

To be defined

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

The ANNUAL working time is 1612 hours.

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

At the University of Vaasa, we think out of the box in order to build a sustainable future. We are a university that invests in the quality of research and teaching in order to tackle the challenges of our time. We educate responsible and internationally-minded leaders and experts. We are well known for our high-quality education and inspirational teachers. Our expertise in the fields of business studies, technology, administrative sciences and communication forms the core of our university. Our discipline-based research is complemented by our phenomenon-driven research platforms.  

We are now inviting applications for a Tenure track position in Automation Technology (Robotics; recyclability of batteries and battery materials).

The position offers an excellent opportunity to build a versatile academic career as a part of our internationally renowned and innovative community. The position will be filled either as a fixed-term Assistant Professor or Associate Professor position within the Tenure track system, or as a permanent Professor position. The level is determined by the applicant's merits and career stage.

Job description and requirements

The field of the position is Automation Technology (Robotics; recyclability of batteries and battery materials) in the School of Technology and Innovations. The location of the position is mainly in Pori, on campus of Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) and partially on campus of University of Vaasa. 

The tenure track position will strengthen the cooperation between the regions of Ostrobothnia and Satakunta in the research of the green transition and robotics, as well as in the development of the battery cluster. The focus of the task is to research and develop recycling methods especially related to battery technology and to minimize life cycle emissions using combinations of automation, robotics, sensors, machine vision and artificial intelligence.

The aim of the research is to influence the standardization of the battery industry and to develop the recyclability of batteries, so that in the future the automated recycling of batteries would be economical and safe ("design for recycling"). The research is carried out in close cooperation with the regional business ecosystems and the battery industry. The cooperation will initiate research projects between Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, University of Vaasa and companies. The topics are related to the efficient, safe and commercially profitable dismantling and recycling of batteries.

Cooperation with Satakunta University of Applied Sciences is also carried out within the Master's Programme in Smart Energy.  A new study path Robotics  will complement the research and study options at the University of Vaasa in the area between electrical engineering and energy technology with connection to automation and computer science.

The selected candidate is responsible for ensuring that the teaching of the master's program is carried out according to the objectives in terms of content and method. The role also includes monitoring the quality of teaching and taking care of development activities in accordance with the practices of the University of Vaasa. The selected candidate participates in the teaching of robotics, automation and energy technology at the University of Vaasa and Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, supervises theses and develops teaching considering the needs of the industry in the area. The aim is to integrate research and teaching into an efficient whole. The master's program is implemented as a hybrid solution so that students can follow the teaching both in Pori, SAMK's facilities and on the University of Vaasa campus, regardless of on which campus the teaching is physically held. 

The applicant is required  to have evidence  of expertise and research in the following areas:

• Robotics and automation
• Identification techniques (e.g. machine vision and artificial intelligence techniques, smart sensors, spectroscopy)

In addition, previous knowledge and research evidence are not required, but are counted as an advantage, in the following areas (to which the research will be directed):

• Battery technologies, battery materials
• Project cooperation with industry
• Knowledge of battery recycling methods
• Existing research and business contacts in the battery industry in Finland and abroad

The tenure track position is research-oriented, but also includes teaching, thesis supervision, applying for external research funding, and university administrative tasks. The annual working time is 1612 hours based on the general collective agreement for Finnish universities and tasks are agreed in more detail in the Annual Work Plan.  

Applicants are required to have an appropriate doctoral degree together with excellent academic merits as well as evidence of high-quality research and teaching. For the position of Professor, practical non-academic experience in the field is not required but can be considered beneficial. For further detailed information about the requirements, criteria and our Tenure track procedure, please see:  www.uwasa.fi/en/tenure-track  

Salary and benefits

The University of Vaasa is located on the West coast of Finland at the heart of Northern Europe’s largest energy and environment business cluster. The University of Vaasa is well positioned to interact actively with the surrounding society – internationally, nationally and regionally. Our community includes 5,000 students and 600 employees from 80 countries. More information about Working at the University .

We invest in our employees' occupational well-being by offering comprehensive occupational health care. This includes extensive medical care and preventive measures such as ergonomic check-ups, fitness and culture vouchers,  and a multitude of other activities to support well-being at work. Our flexible working times and options such as blended home/campus working contribute to work-life balance.  Our commitment to support the career development of our personnel is visible in the broad offering of training and competence development opportunities.

The salary is based on the Finnish University Salary System (YPJ) and  subject to regular reviews. The annual starting salary incl. holiday bonuses is approx.

• Assistant Professor: €51,500 - € 55,700
• Associate Professor: €59,400 - € 64,200
• Professor: €71,800 - € 87,500

Each University of Vaasa employee automatically belongs to a pension scheme and the majority part of the pension contributions is paid by the employer. We also pay bonuses for publications accepted in high-ranking outlets. If you are moving to Finland from abroad, relocation services are available.

Applications

Applications are submitted using the University of Vaasa's electronic recruitment system (www.uwasa.fi/openings ). In order for applications to be processed, the application form must be filled out and the enclosures listed below must be attached to it. The application period is open until midnight (Finnish time, EET) February 29, 2024.

1. Attachments in English:

• Curriculum vitae  
• List of publications  
• Research plan (max 5 pages):  the research plan should detail the ways in which the candidate would direct their research from the perspective of their own discipline towards the focus of the position described in this call for applications and the strategic focus of the University of Vaasa’s research. The plan must include a description of the phenomena concerned, the perspective on the applicant's own subject and the added-value to be realised from analysing the phenomena as well as possible partners. lt is beneficial if the plan also includes potential sources of external financing (programmes or similar) and a publication plan.
• Teaching portfolio  (complementary to the teaching merits listed in the CV) 

2. In addition, numbered according to the publication categories in the list of publications:

• Copies of no more than 10 publications that the applicant wishes to be taken into account when evaluating their competence and qualifications. The publications can, if needed, be merged into a maximum of 7 pdf-files.

Further information

• The position is located in Pori/Vaasa, Finland.
• Starting date: in August 2024 or as agreed. 
• The appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a trial period of 6 months.
• More information about the position:
  • Raine Hermans, Dean, School of Technology and Innovations, tel. +358 29 449 8622
  • Jani Boutellier, Associate Professor, School of Technology and Innovations, tel. +358 29 449 8456
  • Petri Välisuo, Associate Professor, School of Technology and Innovations, tel. +358 29 449 8330
  • Kaisu Piirainen, Vice-director, Faculty and Management Services, tel. +358 29 449 8428
  • Email: firstname.surname (a) uwasa.fi
• Inquiries about the online application system: careers (a) uwasa.fi

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The School of Technology and Innovations  provides internationally recognized engineering and economic education and research. The School's areas of strength in research are data networks and wireless telecommunications services, optimisation, decentralised power generation, power distribution and use, quality and technology management, logistics, product development and modelling of economic and technical phenomena. 

We are developing our expertise with the energy industry in the region, called EnergyVaasa, which is the largest energy technology hub in the Nordic countries. The companies located in the area are world leaders within different technologies, such as smart electrical solutions, sustainable energy, flexible power generation and digitalization. The substantial number of high-tech companies in the region makes it a fertile breeding ground for novel ideas. The export rate of 80% demonstrates the strong internationalization. The University of Vaasa is an important actor and continuously cooperates with the entire industry. 

• working with us: Are you our new colleague? | Vaasan yliopisto (uwasa.fi)  
• expat at the University of Vaasa: Expat  
• living in Vaasa: Vaasan kaupunki | Vasa stad | City of Vaasa
• living in Finland: thisisFINLAND  

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Technology

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Vaasa

Country

Finland

City

Pori and Vaasa

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://uwasa.fi/openings

Contact

City

Vaasa

Website

https://www.uwasa.fi

Street

P.O. Box 700

Postal Code

FI-65101

STATUS: EXPIRED