Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Software engineering

We are now looking for

Assistant Professor

to join us in the Software Engineering and Information Systems unit at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.

We are now seeking an Assistant Professor to join us in the Software Engineering (M3S) research group. M3S conducts basic and applied software engineering research at a high-quality, internationally recognized level. Our applied research involves several application domains, for example, automotive, health and wellness, cyber-physical systems, and emerging technologies such as AI and Quantum Software. The unit has a versatile portfolio of externally funded projects with industry collaborators, including Horizon Europe, ITEA, Research Council of Finland, and Business Finland. The unit is also responsible for software engineering education in Bachelor’s and Master’s programs at the University of Oulu and offers a double-degree Bachelor’s program in Software Engineering at the joint institute of the Oulu School and Nanjing Institute of Technology.  

While a strong research profile in Software Architecture is considered a key qualification, we are also open to considering outstanding candidates in other areas of software engineering  whose work complements or strengthens the overall research strategy. These areas may include, but are not limited to:

• Software engineering in relation to emerging technologies and paradigms (e.g., AI, Quantum) and applied domains
• Requirements Engineering
• Software Quality Assurance / Testing
• Human, behavioral, and cognitive aspects of Software Engineering
• Software security

About the job

As an Assistant Professor of Software Engineering, you will:  

• Establish your own research track(s) in the field in line with the research unit's strategy.  
• Conduct independent research in your research track(s) and sustain international recognition.  
• Supervise doctoral researchers and mentor postdoctoral researchers.  
• Publish your research outcomes in top-quality software engineering journals and conferences.  
• Contribute to the software engineering teaching responsibilities of the unit as a responsible teacher for teaching courses and supervising thesis students.  
• Establish a sustainable funding portfolio in your research track(s) and form your own team.  
• Grow into taking leadership and administrative responsibilities within the research group and the university. 

Please note that this position is on-site in Oulu, Finland, and full-time remote work is not considered.  

What we offer

• The support to advance in your career through the University of Oulu tenure track. 
• An engaging work environment of an experienced and enthusiastic team of 70+ people, where you can share your expertise and grow as an expert.  
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture, and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• We have an HR Excellence in Research -quality label, which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and your close ones in settling into Oulu.
• If you are moving from abroad, we offer comprehensive relocation packages to support your smooth relocation to Oulu.
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, an excellent education system, and a competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Who are you?

You should have excellent potential for a successful scientific career. The top candidates undergo an evaluation by external experts and must achieve a rating of “excellent” or “outstanding” in both the overall grade and the “scientific excellence” category. In addition, top candidates are asked to give a teaching demonstration as part of the assessment of teaching skills. In evaluating teaching skills, the person selected for the tenure-track position must achieve at least a grade of “good” (3/5). Find out more about our tenure-track system, entry criteria, evaluation procedures, and career advancement on our careers website.

In order to succeed and enjoy the position, we require from you:  

• Doctoral degree in an applicable research field. To be eligible for a position as Assistant Professor, you must have received your doctoral degree not more than ten years ago. The doctoral degree must have been completed by the application closing date.
• You must demonstrate the ability to engage in independent scientific research work. 
• Proven teaching skills required for the position. 
• In addition, publications and other demonstrated abilities and motivation for a scientific career are required
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English  

We also appreciate:  

• Evidence of acquired competitive research funding as PI, co-PI, or member of the research group.
• Sufficient and relevant experience in international software engineering communities and evidence of international cooperation and recognition. 
• Evidence for continuous activity for pedagogical competence development. 
• Leadership and administration experience in research and teaching. 
• Significant periods of international mobility experience (teaching and/or research). 
• Societal engagement and impact activities.  

When assessing the candidate’s merits for the position of Assistant Professor, attention will be paid to scientific excellence, such as research outputs, international scientific activities and collaboration, supervision of undergraduate students, pedagogical competence, societal relevance, impact and potential of scientific activities, and services for the academic community. 

Salary

The position is a fixed-term for 5 years, effective 1.9.2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The salary will be based on the levels 5-6 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (a maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). The starting gross salary will be approx. 4000-4700 € per month (before taxes).  A 6-month trial period is applied to the position.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 15th April 2026 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

The application should be written in English and include the following:

1. Cover letter,  including contact details of 2–4 persons available for recommendation. 
2. CV following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
3. List of publications following the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland, with the ten most important ones marked
4. Brief account of research merits 
5. Teaching portfolio including: 
   1. Teaching philosophy, teaching strategies, and methods
   2. A description of oneself as a teacher and an implementer of educational work 
   3. Practical experience in teaching and efforts to improve teaching, digital teaching skills, and giving feedback, possible participation in continuous learning provision, and international educational collaboration 
   4. Production and use of learning materials, including open educational resources 
   5. Maintaining and developing one’s own teaching and supervision competence; description of one’s pedagogical training; the significance of research in maintaining and developing one's teaching and supervision competence 
   6. Feedback received on teaching (student evaluations, peer evaluations, awards, and assessed test lectures) 
   7. Vision for the development of one’s teaching 
6. Details regarding the acquisition of research funds 
7. A brief research and action plan 

The selection process follows the University of Oulu tenure-track guidelines and is conducted by a recruitment committee. The candidates are subjected to publication analyses based on their publication lists. The candidates who are considered most suitable by the recruitment committee will undergo an expert evaluation. Top candidates will also be invited to an on-site or remote interview and asked to give a teaching demonstration as part of the assessment of teaching skills. All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including people of different ages, genders, languages, cultures, and minority communities.

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact Professor Minna Isomursu, M3S research group leader, minna.isomursu@oulu.fi, +358 50 5979660