Gen­eral Prac­tical Theo­logy, Re­li­gious Education, University Lec­turer

The University of Helsinki – among the best in the world!

Founded in 1640, the University of Helsinki is one of the best multidisciplinary research universities in the world. The University of Helsinki is an international academic community of 40,000 students and staff members. It operates on four campuses in Helsinki and at 15 other locations. The high-quality research carried out by the university creates new knowledge for educating diverse specialists in various fields, and for utilisation in social decision-making and the business sector.

The Faculty of Theology of the University of Helsinki (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-theology ) is the largest of the three academic theology units in Finland. In addition, it is one of Europe’s largest units in the field of theology and religious studies in terms of student numbers. The Faculty is a non-denominational academic community.

The mission of the Faculty is to conduct research on religion and its various manifestations, provide teaching based on research, and engage in national and international social debate. International assessments have found that the research conducted at the Faculty is of a high quality, and the Faculty cooperates actively with equivalent top-level research units.

The Faculty of Theology invites applications for the position of

UNIVERSITY LECTURER IN GENERAL PRACTICAL THEOLOGY (RE¬LI¬GIOUS EDUCATION)

The successful applicant may be appointed to a permanent lectureship starting from August 1, 2022 (or as agreed). There is a six-month trial period for the position.

General practical theology examines how practices, structures and doctrines interact in different churches and religious communities in a social and historical context. The discipline of religious education is a part of the discipline of general practical theology. Religious education examines the world and phenomena of education, teaching and learning – to the extent that they are related to religion – in the context of society, church, religious communities, school, home or other institutions and groups. Religious education is interested in questions of the adoption and development of ideology, religious knowledge, and attitudes. Religious education is a theological discipline with strong ties to educational sciences, psychology, sociology, and social sciences.

The duties of the university lecturer include the provision of teaching in general practical theology, especially in religious education, in the bachelor’s and master’s programmes in theology and religious studies. In addition, the university lecturer must carry out independent scientific research, supervise and examine theses and dissertations, and attend to other teaching, administrative and other jointly agreed duties. The university lecturer is expected to take an active part in the development of teaching in their field and at the Faculty.

SELECTION CRITERIA

In accordance with the Regulations of the University of Helsinki an appointee to the position of university lecturer shall hold an applicable doctoral degree and be able to provide high quality teaching based on research and to supervise theses and dissertations.

When assessing the qualifications of applicants for the position of university lecturer, attention shall be paid to scientific publications and other research results of academic value, teaching experience and pedagogical training, the ability to produce learning material, other teaching merits and, if necessary, a teaching demonstration.

In accordance with the Government Decree on Universities teaching and research staff at universities are required to have proficiency in the language in which they shall provide instruction, either Finnish or Swedish. The language of instruction for this position is Finnish. To successfully attend to the duties of the position, the appointee must have satisfactory proficiency in Swedish and good proficiency in English.

Foreign citizens, non-native Finnish citizens or citizens who have not been educated in Finnish or Swedish may be exempted from the Finnish and Swedish language requirement of the Government Decree on Universities without a separate application. However, a foreign citizen or a non-native Finnish citizen appointed to the position must acquire a reasonable level of proficiency in Finnish within a reasonable period of time.

WHAT WE OFFER

The salary will be based on levels 5-7 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The monthly gross salary of a university lecturer is approximately €3,500-4,500 depending on the appointee’s qualifications and work experience.

The University of Helsinki provides its staff with comprehensive services, including occupational health and sports services as well as professional development opportunities (further information https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/why-university-helsinki/staf... ). International staff are supported in relocating to Finland (further information https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/welcome ).

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

The application, together with its attachments, must be submitted through the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system by clicking on the link below. Internal applicants (i.e., current employees of the University of Helsinki) must submit their applications by logging in to the SAP system.

Applications must be accompanied by a single PDF file named “religious education_lastname_firstname” and including the following documents:

See the more detailed instructions https://www2.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-theology/faculty/join-us .

After the application period shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview and to give a teaching demonstration.

University of Helsinki is committed to promoting equality and to prevent discrimination throughout all operation and activities. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the position can be obtained from Dean Antti Räsänen, antti.rasanen@helsinki.fi , phone +358 2941 23710. Further information about the recruitment process can be obtained from HR Specialist Anni Kauppinen, hr-teoltdk@helsinki.fi .

Due date

10.05.2022 23:59 EEST