Tenure Track Assistant or Associate Professor or Full Professor in Theoretical Material Physics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

We are now looking for

TENURE TRACK ASSISTANT OR ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OR FULL PROFESSOR IN THEORETICAL MATERIAL PHYSICS

to join us in “Hydrogen Future as Climate Change Solution (H2FUTURE)” programme at the University of Oulu (Finland).

About the profilation

HYDROGEN FUTURE AS A CLIMATE SOLUTION (H2FUTURE) combines University of Oulu’s research strengths in future H2 production, sustainable metals reduction processes and hydrogen resistant steel development to a unique, holistic, multidisciplinary research community with ambition in enabling green and sustainable hydrogen transition. H2FUTURE is leveraging research excellences in future energy formation and its applications to mitigate the energy and environmental crisis.  

H2FUTURE stands on fundamental research on physics, chemistry, process metallurgy, physical metallurgy and mechanical engineering related to H2FUTURE thematics. Thematics cover but are not limited to energy efficient and climate neutral hydrogen productions, fossile-free metals production and development of steels for hydrogen transition.

H2FUTURE forms a part of our national profiling actions supported by the Academy of Finland and actively interacts with other profile areas of InStream, Genome of Steel and HiDyn within University of Oulu’s research focuses. By recruiting talented researchers from natural sciences and engineering, H2FUTURE is accumulating knowledge to bolster scientific profiles and moreover creating new research expertise to develop the profile at the University of Oulu. 

About the job

The focus is in next-generation computational materials sciences and modelling. An understanding of photocatalysis, hydrogen-based ore reduction, and mechanistic origins of phases in steels requires fundamental knowledge down to electronic structure and thermodynamic levels. The targeted materials systems and chemical processes demand new generation computational approaches, theory and modelling including e.g. 1) Machine-learning based ab initio studies to enable modelling and calculations of complex systems to understand hydrogen production and hydrogen reduction 2) Ab initio investigations implemented through quantum computing to simultaneously benefit algorithms development and accurate reaction mechanisms beyond phenomenological descriptions. 

The position is to be hosted in one of the following research units of University of Oulu: Nano and Molecular Systems, Materials and Mechanical Engineering, Sustainable Chemistry or Environmental and Chemical Engineering.

As an Assistant/Associate/Full Professor, you will:

• Develop and sustain research, scholarly and creative activities leading to academic publications and public-facing outreach initiatives
• Establish research partnerships across disciplinary boundaries in Finland and internationally
• Collaborate with programme leaders to further progress the aims of H2FUTURE
• Act inter-sectorally to develop the impact of the research
• Participate in administrative (e.g. university or faculty level) service duties
• Take part in national and international academic networks and scientific organizations
• Design education and provide teaching for undergraduate and graduate level courses
• Supervise undergraduate and graduate students

What we offer?

We offer you a supportive academic environment in a community of committed scholars and the possibility to make use of funding opportunities to generate new research ideas and build an innovative programme that will attract international scholars. The University of Oulu offers flexible working hours, an excellent work-life balance and provides a range of occupational healthcare services. Our competitive salaries include paid leave and an additional holiday bonus in the summer. Read more about working with us and our other staff benefits.

The position includes a generous start-up package that comes with funding for research expenses and hiring e.g. postdoctoral researcher and a doctoral researcher. The start-up package details are based on negotiations with appointable candidates. If you are moving from abroad, we offer comprehensive relocation packages to support your smooth relocation to Oulu.

Finland is one of the most liveable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, excellent education system, and competitive economy. Oulu is a city known for its stunning natural surroundings, vibrant cultural life, and friendly, easy-going atmosphere. Residents of Oulu enjoy Finland’s high standard of living combined with affordable housing. Read more about living in Oulu.

What we expect?

Our tenure track (Assistant and Associate Professor) is positioned for exceptionally talented researchers with a high potential to advance in their careers. The Professor position is targeted for experienced and highly qualified candidates who have already advanced in their careers. The top candidates will undergo an evaluation by external, international experts and are required to reach top scores (5-6 on a scale from 1 to 6 for scientific activity and as the overall score) in order to qualify for the position.

You are expected to hold a doctoral degree in physics, chemistry, materials engineering, or another related field. Because this is a transdisciplinary position, depending on the position level, we value vision (assistant) or demonstrated experience (associate/full professor) in transdisciplinary approaches in research. Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills are necessary. The working language of the H2FUTURE programme is English.  

The general criteria for each career level are as follows:

Qualifications for a tenure track Assistant Professor position: You must demonstrate the ability to work independently and have proven teaching skills. In order to be eligible for a position as Assistant Professor, you must have received your doctoral degree not more than ten years ago (at or later than 2013).

Qualifications for a tenure track Associate Professor position: You must demonstrate evidence of scholarly research work and relevant teaching skills. You must have the ability to lead research as well as have experience in acquiring external research funding. We also expect you to have sufficient and relevant experience in international scientific work and evidence of international cooperation.

Qualifications for a Professor position: You must demonstrate high-quality academic qualifications and experience of leading research. You are able to provide high-quality teaching based on research, and also supervise thesis work. You are expected to show evidence of international cooperation and should already be an academic leader in your field.

Salary

Those hired at Assistant or Associate level will be tenure track positions with five-year terms at each level. The Professor position will be a permanent, tenured position.

In Assistant or Associate Professor positions, the salary is based on levels 5-7 and in the Professor position, on levels 8-10 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 (maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). In EUR terms, the salary will likely be between 3500-5500 for an Assistant or Associate Professor and 6000-7200 for a Professor. A trial period of 6 months is applied in the position.

How to apply and evaluation process

Interested? If yes, please apply by 10th of April 2023 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

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

1. A letter of motivation with contact information, stating the career level (assistant/associate/full professor) at which you would like to be evaluated.
2. CV following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
3. List of publications following the guidelines of the Academy of Finland (with the ten most important ones marked)
4. Brief account of research merits (max 2 pages)
5. Brief account of teaching merits or teaching portfolio (max 2 pages)
   1. Teaching philosophy, teaching strategies and methods
   2. Practical experience in teaching and efforts to improve teaching
   3. Description of educational material (curricula, handouts, assignments, workbooks)
   4. Professional development as a teacher
   5. Evaluation from teaching (student evaluations, peer evaluations, awards and assessed test lectures)
   6. Future teaching goals and plans for development, especially in relation to the teaching
6. Details regarding acquisition of research funds
7. A brief research and action plan (max 5 pages)
8. Contact information of 2 persons available for recommendation

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, such as people of different ages, genders, and lingual, cultural or minority groups. 

The selection process follows the University of Oulu´s recruitment guidelines. The process is carried out by a recruitment committee and the candidates are subjected to publication analyses based on their publication lists. The candidates that are considered most suitable by the recruitment committee will also undergo an expert evaluation assessing the following merits:

• Research activities and their reflection in the candidate’s publication record, scientific presentations, and other recognitions, e.g. awards and patents
• Teaching activities and their evaluation (teaching portfolio; including students’ evaluation)
• Supervision of undergraduate and master’s students and doctoral researchers
• Successful acquisition of competitive research funds
• International scientific activities (research, keynotes, workshops, conferences) and networks
• Academic community and administrative services
• Academic and public relevance of research activities

The eligible candidates fitting best in the profile expected for the position will be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact the coordinator of H2FUTURE:

Filipp Temerov, filipp.temerov@oulu.fi, tel.+358 50 569 7739