Assistant or Associate Professor in Steel Structures, Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technology

We are now looking for an

Assistant or Associate Professor in Steel Structures

to join us in the Research Unit of Civil Engineering (CIV) at the Faculty of Technology

The Civil Engineering Research Unit (CIV) is networked regionally, nationally, and internationally and provides undergraduate and postgraduate education for demanding positions in the private and public sectors. The unit conducts research in interaction with other disciplines and the surrounding society and has a Bachelor's level double degree program with the Nanjing Institute of Technology (NJIT) in China's Jiangsu province.

About the job

• As an assistant/associate professor in steel structures, you will conduct high-quality research in the analysis and design of steel and composite structures, covering a broad range of applications.
• Your responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in structural engineering and steel structures, supervising Bachelor's, Master's, and doctoral students, and contributing to curriculum development.
• You will develop an independent research profile, publish in leading international journals, and actively seek competitive external research funding.
• You will contribute to research and education in structural steel design with relevance to infrastructure applications, such as bridges, transport structures, or other civil engineering systems, while maintaining a broad disciplinary scope.
• You will collaborate with national and international academic partners and engage with industry stakeholders in the field of steel structures and infrastructure.
• You will participate in academic service and contribute to the long-term development of the discipline.

What we offer

• The support of an experienced and enthusiastic team of 60 people, with whom 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. They are required to reach a rating of “excellent” or “outstanding”, both in the overall grade and in the category of “scientific excellence”. In addition, top candidates are asked to give a teaching demonstration as part of the assessment of teaching skills. In the teaching demonstration, 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 procedure, and advancement on our careers website.

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

As an Assistant Professor:

• Doctoral degree in structural engineering, civil engineering, engineering mechanics, or a closely related field. To be eligible for a position as Assistant Professor, you must have received your doctoral degree not more than ten years ago.
• You must demonstrate the ability to engage in independent scientific research.
• Proven teaching skills required for the position.
• In addition, publications and other demonstrated abilities and motivation for a scientific career are required.
• Fluency in English is required. 

A good command of Finnish is considered an advantage, as Bachelor's-level courses are taught in Finnish, and knowledge of Finnish is useful for communication with industry specialists in Finland. If selected for the position, we recommend participating in courses to master the basics of Finnish.

When assessing the candidate’s merits for the position of Assistant Professor, attention will be paid to scientific excellence, such as research outputs, research activities, 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.

As an Associate Professor:

• Doctoral degree in structural engineering, civil engineering, engineering mechanics, or a closely related field.
• You must possess proof of scientific research work and the teaching skills required for the post.
• You must have the ability to lead a research group.
• In addition, publications and other demonstrated abilities and motivation for a scientific career are required.
• Fluency in English is required. 

A good command of Finnish is considered an advantage, as Bachelor's-level courses are taught in Finnish, and knowledge of Finnish is useful for communication with industry specialists in Finland. If selected for the position, we recommend participating in courses to master the basics of Finnish.

When assessing the candidate’s merits for the position of Associate Professor, attention will be paid to scientific excellence, such as research outputs, research activities, acquisition of competitive research funds, international scientific activities and collaboration, teaching, supervision of undergraduate students and doctoral researchers, mentoring activities and pedagogical studies, societal relevance, impact and potential of scientific activities, services for the academic community and leadership skills.

We also appreciate both levels:

• Experience in exceptionally difficult design of steel structures and steel construction.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in structural design practice, such as bridge engineering or other infrastructure-related steel structures.
• Ability to collaborate with industry and apply research to real-world engineering problems.

Salary

The position is fixed-term for 5 years as of 1.8.2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The salary will be based on the levels 6-7 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 will be approx. 4600 – 5600 € per month (before taxes). A trial period of 6 months is applied for the position.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 30.4.2026 (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 at which you would like to be evaluated, and 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 (maximum five pages) containing:
   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 carried out 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 Antti Niemi, antti.niemi@oulu.fi. In practical issues, you can contact the secretary of the recruitment committee, Docent Satu Pitkäaho, satu.pitkaaho@oulu.fi.