Tenure Track Assistant or Associate Professor or Full Professor in Tenure In Augmented, Mixed, and/or Virtual Reality Technologies - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

We are now looking for

Tenure Track Assistant Or Associate Professor Or Full Professor In Tenure In Augmented, Mixed, And/Or Virtual Reality Technologies

The University has recently launched a new multi-faculty strategic research program, “Hybrid Intelligence: Human-AI Co-evolution and Learning in Multi-realities" (HI). The program is part of our national profiling actions supported by the Academy of Finland. HI stands on the fundamental research on emotion AI, learning processes, and perception engineering for AI-based solutions, e.g., in education and nursing. HI research combines the strengths of humans and machines, emphasizing mutual understanding and learning from each other in their co-evolution. We propose to build the idea of a metaverse by combining our physical and virtual realities towards a multi-reality. The program focuses on international top-level collaborative and multidisciplinary research, supported by LeaF, a unique learning and interaction research infrastructure, and its new Ethics Forum and Data Forum, which will establish a further deep cross-cutting HI discussion in ethical and responsible ways. HI aspires to scientific leadership in solving global challenges by facilitating human-human and human-technology interaction, understanding, and collaboration for the human capital behind AI. With its international networks, HI will pave the way toward breakthroughs in how humans and machines interact, understand, and learn from each other. HI will recruit new talented international researchers to bolster the scientific profile at the University of Oulu and initiate new collaborations with companies.

Position

Augmented, mixed, and virtual reality (AR/MR/VR) technologies enable interaction in metaverses that co-exist with the physical world by modifying the perception and integrating information from multiple concurrent realities. In contrast, intelligence augmentation can enhance human cognitive abilities using artificial intelligence. In this tenure position, the research topics include, e.g.:

• Creating new approaches for human-human and human-machine interaction based on multi-reality technologies.
• Creating new approaches for intelligence augmentation using advanced methods from artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• Developing applications in education and medicine where multi-realities and AI can boost human capabilities.

We expect collaboration with other subthemes of HI. Research experience in AR/MR/VR and AI methods and technologies is beneficial.

About the job

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 program leaders to further progress the aims of Hybrid Intelligence
• 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
• Act inter-sectorally to develop the impact of research
  
  

What we offer?

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

This position includes a generous start-up package with funding for research expenses and hiring, e.g., postdoctoral researchers (4 years) and/or Ph.D. students (4 years). 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 livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, an excellent education system, and a 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.

Who are you?

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 targets experienced and highly qualified candidates who have already advanced careers. The top candidates will undergo an evaluation by external, international experts. To qualify for the position, they must reach top scores (5-6 on a scale from 1 to 6 for scientific activity and as the overall score).

You are expected to hold a Ph.D. in. computer science, electrical engineering, or an equivalent 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 HI program 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. To be eligible for a position as Assistant Professor, you must have received your doctoral degree at most 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 be able to lead research and have experience in acquiring external research funding. We also expect you to have sufficient relevant experience in international scientific work and evidence of international cooperation.

Qualifications for a Professor position: You must demonstrate high-quality academic qualifications and leading research experience. You can 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 the 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 (a 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 for the position.

How to apply and evaluation process

Interested? If yes, please apply by 16.4.2023 (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 p.)
5. Brief account of teaching merits or teaching portfolio (max 2 p.)
   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 about the teaching
6. Details regarding the acquisition of research funds
7. A brief research and action plan (max 5 p.)
8. Contact information of 2–4 persons available for recommendation

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including people of different ages, genders, and linguistic, cultural, or minority groups.

The selection process follows the University of Oulu´s recruitment guidelines. A recruitment committee carries out the process, 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, master’s, and doctoral students
• 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 get in touch with the coordinator of, please contact the coordinator of HI, Satu Kaleva; satu.kaleva(at)oulu.fi, Mobile: +358 50 4787744 (Mon - Fri at 14:00 – 15:00 EET) or Professor Janne Heikkilä only by email: janne.heikkila(at)oulu.fi.

Edited 21.3.2023: Application time extended from 24.3.2023 to 10.4.2023

Edited 6.4.2023: Application time extended from 10.4.2023 to 16.4.2023.