Tenure Track Assistant or Associate Professor of Advanced and sustainable manufacturing technologies – specialization in additive manufacturing

We are now looking for Assistant or Associate Professor of Advanced and sustainable manufacturing technologies – specialization in additive manufacturing of metals, especially steels

to join the University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute, Future Manufacturing Technologies (FMT) research group, to strengthen our team focused on transferring the best properties of metallic materials, especially steels, as superior factors in final products, using cost-effective production methods. FMT is a multi-disciplinary research group that is at the University of Oulu, Kerttu Saalasti Institute, located in Nivala.

About Kerttu Saalasti Institute

The University of Oulu, Kerttu Saalasti Institute (KSI) provides research, knowledge and solutions from the perspectives of micro-entrepreneurship, regional excellence and future manufacturing technologies with outstanding societal impact. The institute is an active and vibrant workplace of 50 employees including two professors, three research directors, four docents, fourteen post-docs and numerous project researchers and support staff. At the KSI, the professorship is allocated to the Future Manufacturing Technologies (FMT) research group.

Future Manufacturing Technologies (FMT) research group is focused on transferring the best properties of metallic materials, especially steels, as superior factors in final products, using cost-effective manufacturing methods. The FMT research group’s activities are based on utilizing the most recent manufacturing technologies and materials in design and fabrication of lightweight and robust structures. Research areas cover various topics in advanced manufacturing technologies from the efficient utilization of special steels to additive manufacturing.

FMT collaborates with and adds value to the regional network of manufacturing companies. FMT runs, together with regional partners, ELME Studio which is a community and laboratory dedicated to advanced manufacturing technology research, development and innovation. FMT is an active partner of the national Finnish Additive Manufacturing Ecosystem (FAME) and has a strong international research network focused on additive manufacturing. Moreover, FMT collaborates closely with other research groups at the University of Oulu such as Materials and Mechanical Engineering Research Unit (MME) at the Faculty of Technology at the University of Oulu. FMT is also a member of the Centre for Advanced Steels Research (CASR, see https://www.oulu.fi/casr/).

About the job

A person appointed to this position will be responsible for developing the research, teaching, and societal impact of advanced and sustainable manufacturing technologies with the focus on additive manufacturing of metals, especially steels. His/her task is to lead the team or researchers focused on additive manufacturing. The task is research focused but includes teaching activities. The candidate is required to have an in-depth knowledge and evidence of research-based teaching in the field. The candidate is expected to have leadership competences, strong evidence of regional, national and international networking, as well as planning of international, national, and regional projects, acquiring extramural funding (e.g. industrial funding, Business Finland, Academy of Finland, EU funding programs, others). The industrial networks of the region use Finnish as the primary language for communication. The applicant is also expected to be active in the scientific community and to have experience in supervising doctoral dissertations in the field. The applicant should be able to show evidence of the societal impact of research. Industrial experience and industrial contact networks are considered as merits.

When assessing the applicants, the merits that are taken into consideration include scientific publications and other research results with scientific value, success in acquiring supplementary research funding, experience in leading research groups, teaching experience, and supervision of doctoral theses. In addition, the following merits will be taken into consideration: the applicant’s activity in the scientific community and university administrative tasks, pragmatic experience from industry, evidence of cooperation in the field, scientific work abroad, international duties, and management and interaction skills.

The teaching language at the University of Oulu is Finnish. It is also possible to teach in English.

What we offer?

• The support of an experienced and enthusiastic team of 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.
• If you are moving from abroad, we offer comprehensive relocation packages to support your smooth relocation to Nivala.

Who are you?

The more general focus of the position is on advanced and sustainable manufacturing technologies, but emphasis is given on the specialization of this position which is additive manufacturing.

You should 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), to be recruited. Find out more about our tenure track system, entry criteria, evaluation procedure and advancement on our careers website.

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

As an Assistant professor:

• Doctoral degree in the mechanical engineering field.
• You must demonstrate the ability to work independently, provide scientific results with proven societal impact, and have teaching skills.
• To be eligible for a position as an Assistant Professor, you must have received your doctoral degree not more than ten years ago.
• A track record in scientific publications
• A convincing research vision and plan in field of the position applied.
• Fluency in English and Finnish skills (or willingness to commit yourself to learning Finnish skills).

As an Associate professor:

• Doctoral degree in the mechanical engineering field.
• You must demonstrate evidence of scientific research work with proven societal impact 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.
• A track record in scientific publications.
• A convincing research vision and plan in the field of the position applied.
• You should be able to lead a multidisciplinary research group, raise international funding, and contribute strategically into regional, national and international networks.
• Fluency in English and Finnish skills (or willingness to commit yourself to learning Finnish). 

Salary

The position is fixed term for 5 years as of 1.8.2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The salary will be based on levels 5-7 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 for an Assistant professor will be approx. 3800-5300 € per month (before taxes), and for an Associate approx. 5300-6200 € per month (before taxes). A trial period of 6 months is applied for the position.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 31.1.2025 (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. A brief curriculum vitae according to the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK): http://www.tenk.fi/en/content/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae
3. List of publications following the guidelines of the Academy of Finland, with the ten most important ones marked.
4. A brief research and action plan in English (max 5 pages).
5. At most ten (10) publications or other works, which should be numbered in accordance with the list of publications and other works, which the applicant wants to be considered when assessing his/her qualifications and merits.

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.

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 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, Director Matti Muhos, University of Oulu, Kerttu Saalasti Institute, matti.muhos(at)oulu.fi

or

Development Manager Eija-Riitta Niinikoski, University of Oulu, Kerttu Saalasti Institute, eija-riitta.niinikoski(at)oulu.fi.