The University of Helsinki – Among the best in the world
The University of Helsinki, founded in 1640, is among the leading multidisciplinary research universities in the world. The University is an international scholarly community of more than 40,000 students and staff, which operates on four Helsinki campuses and in 15 other localities in Finland. High-quality research at the University generates new knowledge that serves as a basis for educating diverse experts in a variety of fields and benefits public decision-making as well as business and industry.

The University of Helsinki Faculty of Theology (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-theology) is the largest of the three academic theology units in Finland. In addition, it is one of Europe’s largest units in the field of theology and religious studies in terms of student numbers. The Faculty is a non-denominational academic community.

The mission of the Faculty is to conduct research on religion and its various manifestations, provide teaching based on research, and engage in national and international social debate. International assessments have found that the research conducted at the Faculty is of a high quality, and the Faculty cooperates actively with equivalent top-level research units.

The Faculty of Theology invites applications for a

PROFESSOR

The field of the position is the study of religions. The appointment will be for an indefinite term.

The appointee’s field of teaching will encompass world religions as well as the diversity of religions, interaction between religious traditions, and the research methods used in the study of religions, including ethnographic methods. The appointee must conduct and supervise scientific research relating to the study of religions and contribute to public engagement and international cooperation in the field.

The position is located at the Faculty of Theology, where research in the study of religions focuses on religion as an individual and communal phenomenon as well as on rituals, lived religion and texts which are explored in relation to current societal and ethical issues. The study of religions focuses on the expression of people’s religiousness in various historical and societal contexts. At the Faculty of Theology, the discipline of study of religions is networked with various sectors and active parties in the humanities, social sciences and behavioural sciences.

An appointee to the position of professor must hold a doctoral degree. An appointee to the position of professor must have high-level academic qualifications, experience in leading scientific research, the ability to provide research-based teaching and supervise dissertations and theses, as well as evidence of international cooperation in the research field he or she represents. Furthermore, the position also calls for academic leadership skills.

According to the Government Decree on Universities (770/2009), professors are required to be competent in the language in which they provide instruction. In addition, they must have at least satisfactory oral and written skills in Swedish. Foreign citizens, non-native Finnish citizens or citizens who have not been educated in Finnish or Swedish may be exempted from this requirement without a separate application. If the appointee does not speak Finnish, they must acquire proficiency in Finnish within three years from the beginning of employment. To successfully attend to the duties of the position, the appointee must also have good English skills.

When considering the applicant’s qualifications, attention will be paid to scientific and teaching qualifications. Scientific qualifications include scientific publications and other research results of scientific value, success in obtaining external research funding, scientific work outside Finland and international elected positions. As regards teaching qualifications, teaching experience and pedagogical training, the ability to produce learning materials, other teaching merits and, if necessary, a teaching demonstration, as well as participation in doctoral education will be considered. Furthermore, account will be taken of the applicant’s leadership and interaction skills, as well as activity in the research community.

The salary for the position will be based on levels 8–10 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research staff in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The appointee’s gross monthly salary will range from €5,300 to €8,000, depending on their qualifications and experience.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The application must be submitted through the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system by clicking on the Apply for the position link below. Current employees of the University of Helsinki must submit their applications through the SAP HR portal (https://saphr.it.helsinki.fi/irj/portal). The deadline for applications is 1 March 2021.

Applications must be accompanied by a single PDF file that includes the following documents:

• A curriculum vitae
• A numbered list of publications
• A report (max. 3 pages) describing the applicant’s research activities, such as activities in the scientific community, success in obtaining research funding and international research
• A plan (max. 2 pages) on the development of the field and the direction of the applicant’s research
• A report (max. 2 pages) on the applicant’s teaching qualifications
• An academic portfolio presenting the applicant’s key qualifications and adhering to the instructions of the University and the specifications issued by the Faculty of Theology

Instructions for attachments:
https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-theology/faculty/join-us#section-2...

All attachments must be in English. The attachments must be uploaded to the system as one PDF file. Other attachments, including letters of recommendation or certificates, are not required at this point.

Applicants are kindly asked to be ready after the application period to submit for assessment, through the electronic application system, no more than 10 publications of their choosing from their list of publications.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the position and its general operating environment may be obtained from Dean Antti Räsänen, antti.rasanen@helsinki.fi.

Further information about the recruitment process can be obtained from HR Specialist Minna Boström, hr-teoltdk@helsinki.fi.

Due date

01.03.2021 23:59 EET