The University of Helsinki is the oldest and largest science university in Finland, an international scientific community of 40,000 students and researchers. In international university rankings, the University of Helsinki usually ranks among the top 100 universities in the world. The University of Helsinki is looking for solutions to global challenges and creating new thinking for the benefit of humanity.

The Faculty of Arts of the University of Helsinki is the oldest and largest unit of teaching and research in the field of humanities in terms of structure and subject matter in Finland. It is also an important international research, educational and cultural community. The Faculty of Arts studies and teaches literature and languages spoken in Europe and other parts of the world – in total of almost 40 languages. In addition, we develop the general theory of linguistics, translation science and literary research.

Faculty of Arts is welcoming applications to the position of

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OR PROFESSOR OF GERMAN LANGUAGE

to an open-ended employment relationship starting 1 January 2023 or by agreement. The position is filled on a six-month probationary period. The position is located in the Department of Languages.

The Faculty of Arts studies and teaches German, German literature and the culture of German-speaking countries as part of the diverse offering of the Department of Languages. Studies are also offered in Dutch.

German has an important role in the Department of Languages as one of the languages taught in Finnish schools. Teaching German as a foreign language, contrasting research of languages and cultures and multilingualism are therefore important priorities in teaching and research in this field of science.  

We are looking for a versatile linguist, who possesses in addition to their own field of specialization, the kind of linguistic expertise that will benefit the Department of Languages more broadly. Merits in literary and cultural research are considered an advantage.  

The Professor of German Language teaches the field in the Master's Programme in Languages. Together with other teachers in the field, they are responsible for advanced studies in German. They are required to direct master's degrees and doctoral dissertations in the field.

Successful performance of the task requires excellent knowledge of German and English. The knowledge of other languages taught in the department, as well as Finnish and Swedish, is considered an advantage. If the person to be selected does not speak Finnish, they are required to be able to acquire sufficient Finnish language skills within a reasonable time. Support is offered for studying Finnish.  

SELECTION CRITERIA 

An assistant professor selected for the tenure path is required to have a suitable doctoral degree, the ability to engage in independent scientific work, the teaching skills required for the assignment, and the ability and motivation for a scientific career.

A professor selected is required to have a suitable doctoral degree, a high level of scientific competence, experience in the management of scientific research, the ability to provide high-quality research-based teaching and to guide theses, and evidence of international cooperation in their field of research. In addition, a candidate for the professor position is required to have the ability to act as an academic leader.

When assessing the qualifications of applicants, both scientific and educational merits are taken into account. Scientific merits include scientific publications and other research publications with scientific value, success in obtaining research funding, international scientific work and positions of trust, and experience in the management of research projects. Educational merits taken into account include teaching and guidance experience and other educational merits, as well as pedagogical training, the ability to produce learning materials, other merits achieved in a teaching position and, if necessary, a teaching demonstration, as well as participation in doctoral training. In addition, the applicant's leadership and interaction skills, societal interaction and activity in the activities of the scientific community will be taken into account. The evaluation will also take into account the applicant's views on the development of research and teaching in the field, as well as the assessments of external specialists and interviews of the shortlisted candidates. 

Read more about the evaluation criteria for the duties of assistant professors and professors at the University of Helsinki.

WHAT WE OFFER

The University of Helsinki offers the appointee a first-class research and teaching environment as well as the preconditions necessary for international cooperation.

The salary is based on the levels 7 (assistant professor) and 8-10 (professor) of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system for Finnish Universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance.

The gross salary of an assistant professor is 54.000– 64.000 euros per year and the professor's salary is 68.000– 84.000 euros per year, depending on the applicant's earnings and career stage.

Standard Finnish pension benefits and occupational health care are provided for University employees. 

In this role you will be supported by colleagues from the Faculty and our administrative- and technical staff on campus. We take care of your well-being and the smoothness of your everyday life, for example through flexible working arrangements, comprehensive occupational health care and affordable and versatile Unisport sports services. We support competence development in different ways, for example with a wide range of staff trainings.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

The application must be submitted to the university's electronic recruitment system via the Apply now -button. Applicants employed at the University of Helsinki apply for the position through SAP Fiori recruitment.

The following Documents in English must be attached to the application as PDF files:

• cv
• a free-form report on the applicant's educational expertise of up to five (5) pages (e.g. university portfolio).
• a free-form report of up to three (3) pages (e.g. university portfolio) of the applicant's scientific activities, including the research funding acquired;
• a catalogue of publications;

No other attachments, such as letters of recommendation or certificates, are required at the applying state. 

Applicants are asked to be prepared for the fact that, at the end of the application period, the shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit a maximum of 10 publications of their choice for the external specialists. In addition, we ask the top applicants to fill in their teaching earnings on a separate form, which will be submitted later. 

Please note that the doctoral degree must have been completed by the end of the application period.

The University of Helsinki is committed to promoting equality and preventing discrimination in all its activities. The University of Helsinki hopes to attract applicants from different genders, language and cultural backgrounds and minorities.

The application period ends on 8 August 2022.

MORE INFO

More information on working at the University of Helsinki and tenure track path.   

For more information on the position and its operating environment, please contact Dean Pirjo Hiidenmaa pirjo.hiidenmaa@helsinki.fi. For more information on the recruitment process, please contact HR Specialist Rosa Beckmann rosa.beckmann@helsinki.fi best available from 13-17 June and 1-5 August. Technical support for the use of the recruitment system is provided by recruitment@helsinki.fi.