Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Social Sciences
University of Helsinki
Finland

Position Overview

The Faculty of Social Sciences invites applications for the position of:

The successful applicant may be appointed to a permanent professorship or a fixed-term associate/assistant professorship (tenure track), depending on their qualifications and career stage. Further information on the UH tenure track system is available on the university website.

Job Description

The position will focus on:

• The study of inequality and segregation at urban and regional levels

• Empirical assessment of the causal effects of policy measures using quantitative methods

• Building and leading active interaction with decision-makers in urban policies and stakeholders

• Enhancing societal impact of research

The position is based in the Social and Public Policy discipline.

Responsibilities include:

• Commitment to interdisciplinary research

• Close cooperation with domestic and international actors in urban, regional, and inequality research

• Active participation in obtaining external research funding

• Teaching in Bachelor's and Master's programmes in social sciences and the Master's programme in urban studies and planning

• Supervision of theses and doctoral dissertations

Qualifications

For Assistant/Associate Professor (Tenure Track):

• Doctoral degree

• Ability to conduct independent scholarly work

• Teaching skills required for the position

• Motivation for an academic career, demonstrated by publications and other evidence

Assessment criteria include:

• Research work and teaching qualifications

• Success in obtaining external research funding

• International scholarly work and experience

For Professor:

• Doctoral degree and high-level academic qualifications

• Experience in leading scientific research

• Ability to provide research-based teaching and supervise dissertations and theses

• Evidence of international cooperation

• Academic leadership skills

Additional criteria:

• Scientific publications and research results

• Teaching experience and pedagogical training

• Ability to produce teaching materials and other teaching merits

• Participation in doctoral education

• Activity in the scientific community

• Success in obtaining external research funding

• International research experience and elected positions

• Leadership and interaction skills

The doctoral degree requirement must be met by the application deadline.

Language requirements:

• Good English skills

• If not proficient in Finnish or Swedish, moderate proficiency expected within a reasonable time (language study support provided)

The appointee is expected to reside in Finland during employment. The University of Helsinki provides relocation assistance.

Assessment Criteria

• Scholarly publications

• Success in obtaining external research funding

• International research experience

• Activities in the academic community

• Teaching experience, supervision of theses, and pedagogical merits

• Leadership and interaction skills

• Vision for developing the field and its research agenda

• Statements of external evaluators

• Teaching demonstration

• Interview performance

What We Offer

• Equal opportunity employer with an inspiring environment

• Annual gross salary:

  • Full Professor: €74,000 – €90,000

  • Assistant/Associate Professor: €61,000 – €73,000

• Comprehensive employee benefits, including:

  • Occupational health care

  • Professional development opportunities

  • Research funding support

  • Library, wellbeing, and fitness services

• Probationary period: 6 months

Living in Finland:

• High-quality free schooling (also in English)

• Generous family benefits and healthcare

• Ranked among the best countries for expat families

• Helsinki among the world’s top 10 most livable cities

• Leading research facilities, clean environment, affordable accommodation, excellent transport connections

How to Apply

Apply through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the link “Apply now”.

• Applicants employed by the University of Helsinki: apply via “Employee login”

• Application deadline: September 24, 2025 (Finnish time)

Required attachments (in English):

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Numbered list of publications (highlight five key publications in bold)

• Report on research activities (max. 3 pages) – including international experience, academic community engagement, and research funding success

• Vision statement (max. 2 pages) – plans for developing the field and research focus

• Report on teaching experience and pedagogical merits (max. 3 pages)

Applicants may be asked to submit up to five publications for external evaluation after the application deadline.

Further Information

• Position and working environment: Associate Professor Hanna Wass (hanna.wass@helsinki.fi)

• Recruitment process: HR Specialist Minna Maunula (minna.maunula@helsinki.fi)

Faculty of Social Sciences:

• Finland’s leading research and education institute in social sciences

• Most diverse social sciences faculty in Finland

• Strong international profile and master’s programmes

• Approximately 500 researchers and teaching staff

• Annual output: 350 bachelor’s, 400 master’s, and 40+ doctoral degrees

Application Details

• Due Date: September 24, 2025

• Unit: Faculty of Social Sciences

• Sub-unit: Disciplines

• Position ID: 4252

Join us: Work for the future – work for the world.

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