Tenure Track Assistant or Associate Professor of Sustainable Architecture - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

We are now looking for

Assistant/Associate Professor of Sustainable Architecture

to join us in Oulu School of Architecture at the Faculty of Technology.

The Oulu School of Architecture is a regionally, nationally and internationally networked unit, which educates architects and Doctors of Technology for demanding private and public positions as well as carries out creative research in co-operation with other disciplines and society in general. The School is responsible for administering a 5-year architecture degree program, which consists of Bachelor’s and Master’s degree phases. The School is also responsible of 4-year long Doctoral Degree Programme in Architecture. Furthermore, the School hosts a 2-year long international Architectural Design Master’s Degree program.

The Oulu School of Architecture specifically strives to develop northern building culture and knowhow. The School is part of an international value chain, which promotes innovation within the building industry and architecture in general. Education and research focus specifically on the changing northern built environment. Sustainability has been recognized as a crosscutting theme in our School and with this recruitment we will strengthen this approach even further.

About the job

• As an associate/assistant professor, you will focus on creating new visions and research based knowledge for design of sustainable architecture. These may for example include aspects of tectonics, materials research and recycling, and the reuse of materials and buildings.
• Your responsibilities also include developing tools and methods for sustainable architectural design. The existing building stock can be a fundamental working environment and source of inspiration for your research. A good understanding of building technology and sustainable architectural design is necessary to successfully lead research and education.
• Education will be an important part of the job. Your expertise will define the contents for this.
• You will become a successful agent in external fundraising and multidisciplinary collaboration as well as an active player in development and management work within the Oulu School of Architecture.

We expect our professors to be proactive members of the University of Oulu and the international academic community, to exhibit leadership and to contribute to society. Collaboration with national and international stakeholders will be important in this professorship.

What do we offer?

• Support of an experienced and enthusiastic work community of approximately 50 people where you can share your expertise and grow as an expert.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• If you are moving from abroad, we offer comprehensive relocation packages to support your smooth relocation to Oulu.
• Occupational health services, insurance, and wellbeing benefit ePassi covering sport, culture and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits here. 
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, excellent education system, and competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Who are you?

The applicants will be reviewed based on the quality and potential of their research, relevant architectural design projects, teaching merits, academic leadership skills and societal impact. A master’s degree in architecture and a doctoral degree relevant to the position is mandatory. A good understanding of building technology and experience in sustainable architectural design is necessary to successfully lead the research and education.

The successful candidate is expected to have broad knowledge of sustainable architecture, research and policies of sustainable architecture, as well as their applicability to the Northern context. Peer-reviewed publications, participation in research projects, architectural publications and experience in sustainable architectural design or development projects are considered as indications of the applicant’s suitability for the position.

In order to succeed and enjoy the position, we expect you to have excellent potential for a successful scientific career. The top candidates undergo an evaluation by external 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 be recruited.

The following merits are evaluated on each tenure track level:

• scientific activities in the academic and professional practice context and their reflection in the publication record, scientific presentations, artistic merits and other recognitions, e.g. awards and patents;
• teaching activities and their evaluation (teaching portfolio; including student’s evaluation);
• supervision of diploma and doctoral students;
• acquisition of competitive research funds;
• international scientific activities and contacts;
• services for the academic community; and
• academic and societal relevance and potential of activities

Find out more about our tenure track system, entry criteria, evaluation procedure and advancement on our careers website.

For Assistant professor:

• Doctoral degree in applicable research field is required
• 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.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge in Finnish is an advantage.

For Associate professor:

• Doctoral degree in applicable research field is required
• You must demonstrate evidence of scientific research work and relevant teaching skills.
• You must have the ability to lead research and experience of acquiring external research funding.
• We also expect you to have sufficient and relevant experience in international scientific work and evidence of international cooperation.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge in Finnish is an advantage.

We also appreciate

• Experience in professional practice of high-quality architectural design

Salary

The position is fixed-term for 5 years as of 1.12.2023 or as soon as possible thereafter. A researcher appointed to a tenure track position has the opportunity to advance systematically through the tenure track career levels towards permanent professorship, provided that the performance criteria are met.

The salary will be based on the levels 5-6 (assistant) or 6-7 (associate) 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). Starting gross salary will be approx. 3500-4100 (assistant) or 4000-5000 € (associate) per month (before taxes).  A trial period of 6 months is applied in the position.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 31.7.2023 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

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

1. Cover letter, stating the career level on which you would like to be evaluated at.
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. A design portfolio (with max. ten of your own most important design projects illustrated with images)
5. Brief account of research merits
6. Brief account of teaching merits or teaching portfolio
7. Details regarding acquisition of research funds
8. A brief research and action plan
9. Contact information of 2–4 persons available for recommendation

The eligible applicants 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.

The selection process follows the University of Oulu tenure track 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.

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact: professor, head of the school, Janne Pihlajaniemi, Oulu School of Architecture, janne.pihlajaniemi@oulu.fi.

Edited 7.6.2023: Application deadline extended to July 31st, 2023.