Assistant or Associate Professor, Sound in Art and Media

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 13 000 students, 400 professors, and close to 4 500 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community. 

The Department of Art and Media conducts research and artistic activities across a broad range of subjects and themes. These include art education, contemporary art, curating, game design, new media, photography, visual communication design and visual culture. The department provides education in Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral levels. The department was formed in 2022 as a merger of two departments which have both been recognized internationally for high-quality artistic outputs, media productions and art pedagogical activities, scholarship, and research. The Department of Art and Media, with approximately 800 students and over 100 staff members, is the largest department in the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. 

We are now looking for an Assistant or Associate professor, Sound in Art and Media 

The successful candidate will be appointed for an Assistant or Associate position in the Aalto University tenure track system. Aalto’s tenure track principles are explained at www.aalto.fi/en/tenure-track. The full-time position situated in the Department of Art and Media will begin in summer 2024 or as agreed.

Sound in art and media is an evolving field that is being impacted by various technological advancements and changes in societal needs and practices. Sound and music computation, including AI technologies, are increasingly being integrated into various media products, and contemporary art and design practices in various fields, such as soundscapes, sound art, sonic interaction design, virtual and audio augmented reality, game audio and acoustic branding. 

The Department of Art and Media has, since 2008, had a pioneering Sound in New Media master’s program (since 2022 a major in the MA in Art & Media program). The program has graduated close to a hundred sound specialists, artists and designers who have moved on to important positions in creative industries as well as academic institutions in Finland and internationally. The Sound in New Media studies include various collaborations within Aalto fields (acoustics, animation, architecture, fashion, games, interior architecture) and with programs and companies outside the university. Alongside its MA studies the department has produced impactful research in the field, exploring e.g. the relation between human computer interaction and sound.  

Your role and goals 

The Professor of 'Sound in Art and Media' will lead the major studies in the area and help to guide its development, enriching the research and/or artistic activities in the field. The professor will strengthen the department in the focus area and integrate current developments and changes in sound art, design, culture, and technology development. 

The professor is expected to foster artistic practice and/or research in sound art and design, and develop its relationship to other media forms, such as performance, installation art and audio/visual experiments and experiences. A deep understanding of relevant technologies and various tools is important, as well as sound’s affiliation with various other disciplines, theories, and its relation e.g. to the natural environment and re-design of public places. 

As an Assistant/Associate professor, you are expected to carry out and advise research and doctoral researchers; to educate students and to participate in curriculum development and lifewide learning education initiatives. We also expect you to participate in service to the Aalto University community and to network with researchers and practitioners in the diverse fields of the university. In all levels of the tenure track system, a professor is expected to perform high-quality research with societal impact as well as to teach at the doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s level, to be an active member of the international research community, and to exhibit academic leadership. Advancement in the tenure track is based on scheduled performance reviews which consider the candidate’s merits in all these areas. 

These criteria are meant to support the holistic evaluation of applicants. This means that an applicant is evaluated on the overall combination and balance across the dimensions relevant to the field and the type of the professorship.  

Your experience and ambitions 

To qualify for the Assistant/Associate position, you need to have significant expertise in sound art and design and in related research. A commitment to the development of the field of the professorship through research and teaching activities is expected.  

In-depth expertise in the field of the professorship is necessary, and familiarity with the Finnish educational field as well as international experience are an advantage. Education in the Department of Art and Media is provided in English, Finnish and Swedish. Thus, excellent verbal and written communication skills in English are expected. We hope that you will commit to learn Finnish and/or Swedish, if you do not already know the language.  

For this professorship, the applicant is expected to have: 

• A doctoral degree in a relevant field and/or equivalent artistic competence 
• Broad professional knowledge and experience of sound art and design 
• Experience with holding academic responsibilities in university education and research leadership relevant to your career stage 
• Experience and networks in versatile collaborations with relevant partners in the field 
• Competencies in interdisciplinary collaboration  
• Pedagogical training and teaching experience in higher education 
• Demonstrated ability to acquire research and/or project funding 

The applicants will be reviewed on the basis of the following areas: Research and artistic merits and teaching merits. 

The position will require relocation to Finland for candidates not already living in the country. 

What we offer  

You will be part of an inspiring and supportive community of experienced professionals and highly motivated students. We value entrepreneurial mindset. 

You will also have the opportunity to use the department’s extensive networks both nationally and internationally, and enjoy our great resources to pursue artistic activities, education and research with the help of Aalto Studios, Acoustics Lab and numerous workshops.

Aalto University offers you:   

• Competitive salary and occupational health care services.  
• Responsible and meaningful role with true impact in our University’s success, and in the end, in the wellbeing and development of our society. 
• Support, coaching and sparring when you feel you need it.  
• Great possibilities for competence development and learning. We constantly keep learning to find the most impactful ways to empower – and invest in – our people. 

It’s the people that create Aalto, now and in the future. We want to be an open community where equality and inclusion enable curiosity, innovation, collaboration and wellbeing. Our vast array of professional development opportunities means you will grow and learn, having the chance to participate actively in staff training and development projects based on your interests and needs. There is great freedom in your role, and we have a flexible modern working culture. We value work-life balance and well-being in all aspects of life. 

The Aalto campus is a thriving and connected community of 100 nationalities, 13,000 students and 4,500 employees. Life at the transformed campus is vibrant and filled with amazing architecture, calming nature, and a variety of cafes, restaurants, services and good connections along the recently opened metro line. 

Join us! 

To apply, please share the following application materials with us through our recruitment site ("Apply now!”) Tuesday, 12 December, 2023 (UTC+3) at the latest.  

• A motivation letter, including your vision for research and teaching in the applied position (max. 3 pages)
• A curriculum vitae: A recommended template is available from the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK) website 
• A teaching portfolio compiled according to Aalto guidelines 
• Art and design portfolio including research publications, indicating the five most important works marked with an asterisk (max.20 pages in pdf format) 

Please note: Aalto University’s employees and visitors should apply for the position via our internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs) by using their existing Workday user account (not via the external webpage for open positions). Please go to: Workday -> Career -> find jobs.  

For more information 

If you wish to hear more about the position, please contact the departmental committee chair, Associate Professor Teemu Leinonen (+358 50 3516796). If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR Partner Katja Korpinurmi (katja.korpinurmi(at)aalto.fi).  

Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos: Aalto University – Towards a better world, Aalto People , and Shaping a Sustainable Future. Read more about working at Aalto.

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About Finland 

Finland is a great place for living with or without family – it is a safe, politically stable and well-organized Nordic society. Finland is consistently ranked high in quality of life and was just listed again as the happiest country in the world. For more information about living in Finland: https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/living-in-finland & https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/welcome-to-aalto-university-and-finland-info-package.