Tenure track position (Road and rail infrastructures), 1-2 positions

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. www.tuni.fi/en   

We are now seeking an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor in the field of road and railway infrastructures. One or two positions are aimed to be filled. 

At Tampere University, we are working to solve society's major challenges and create new opportunities by linking pioneering research and innovation, promoting interdisciplinary education and life-long partnerships, and generating unique expertise in industrial and public-sector implementation. As set out in our strategy, our mission is to work together to build a sustainable world!   

The position is placed in the Faculty of Built Environment at Tampere University. The position is available at the unit of Civil Engineering. The Civil Engineering Unit conducts high-quality scientific and applied research and provides higher education in civil engineering. We foster interaction and innovation that open up new avenues for multidisciplinary education and research in our areas of expertise. We have a mission to establish a national reputation as a forerunner in educational trends and research that fall under the broad umbrella of civil engineering and to raise our international profile as a sought-after collaboration partner. 

Job description    

We are seeking highly motivated candidates who have a PhD degree in the field of civil engineering and whose research focus includes at least three of the following: 

• materials of road and railway structures (unbound, bituminous bound and/or circular materials) as structural components of transport infrastructures 
• performance of road and/or railway structures both in short and long term 
• experimental research in laboratory and monitoring of full-scale infrastructures on-site 
• analysis and utilization of large data amounts from the condition monitoring of transport infrastructures 
• analysing life-cycle efficiency and sustainability in the construction and maintenance of road and railway infrastructures 

You will be leading a research group in the field of road and/or railway structures, and you will be teaching transport infrastructures related courses at B.Sc. and M.Sc. level. In addition, the teaching includes B.Sc. and M.Sc. thesis supervision as well as D.Sc. thesis supervision.  

The duties of the professor will be further specified, and their quantitative ratios confirmed, in the annual workload plan. The duties will also be proportioned to the level of seniority; For more senior level appointments, leading research, collaboration with external stakeholders and carrying out international research activities will be emphasized.  

Requirements    

We expect you to have a doctoral degree in civil engineering and have solid practical knowledge in the relevant field. Further requirements for each tenure track level are as follows:   

Assistant professor   

We require:   

• Ability to undertake independent scholarly activity and potential to pursue scholarly activity at a high international level. 
• Teaching skills required to successfully perform the duties and functions of the position. 

Associate professor

We require:     

• A record of independent scholarly activity.       
• Ability to lead a research group and a record of winning external research funding.  
• A record of international scholarly activity.         
• Teaching skills required to successfully perform the duties and functions of the position.        

Professor     

We require:     

• High-level scholarly expertise and an international level of achievement.   
• Experience of leading scientific research activities.     
• Ability to provide high-quality research-based education and instruction.     
• A record of winning external research funding.     
• A record of international scholarly activity.    

On all levels we expect you to have a track record of peer reviewed publications, strong methodological skills to carry out research in the field of transport infrastructures. Experience from supervising bachelor’s, master’s and PhD’s theses, proven skills in managing courses in the field of transport infrastructures, as well as readiness to complete pedagogical training are expected.   

You need to be fluent in the English language in order to be able to manage the position. Knowledge of the Finnish language can be seen as an advantage. Please be prepared to provide proof of your merits when requested.  

Experience in collaboration with the different stakeholders of infrastructure sector for instance in the form of disseminating research results via continuation education and/or participation in standardization work and the preparation of other types of guidelines as well as knowledge of the Finnish operational environment are also seen as advantages. 

Tampere University is a unique, multidisciplinary and boldly forward-looking, evolving community. Our values are openness, diversity, responsibility, courage, critical thinking, erudition, and learner-centredness. We hope that you can embrace these values and promote them in your work.    

We offer    

Tampere University and the higher education community offer a unique multidisciplinary environment for interdisciplinary research and teaching. We offer an initial appointment for assistant and associate professor for five years. Subject to successful performance, you will become a tenured member of the faculty staff at the end of the first five-year period. You will be well-supported throughout the five-year period to ease transition to a tenured position. Full professors will hold a permanent appointment from the outset. Please read more about the Tenure track career path at Tampere University.   

Salaries are based on the job demands and employees’ personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. The starting salary range will be from 4600 EUR to 5000 EUR / month for an assistant professor, from 5400 EUR to 5800 EUR / month for an associate professor, and from 6500 EUR to 7000 EUR / month for a professor. A higher salary may be agreed upon based on the successful candidate’s experience and/or performance. A trial period of six months applies to all our new employees.    

We offer you the opportunity to join our dynamic and innovative international community. As a member of staff at Tampere University, you will enjoy a range of competitive benefits, such as occupational health care services, flexible work schedule, versatile research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities and a safe and inviting campus area as well as a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities in your free time. Please read more about working at Tampere University. You can also find more information about us and working and living Tampere by watching our video: Tampere Higher Education Community - our academic playground.      

Finland is among the most stable, free and safe countries in the world, based on prominent ratings by various agencies. Tampere is the largest inland city of Finland, and the city is counted among the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries. Tampere region is the most rapidly growing urban area in Finland and home to a vibrant knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community. The city is an industrial powerhouse that enjoys a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland’s information society. Tampere is also surrounded by vivid nature with forests and lakes, providing countless opportunities for easy-to-access outdoor adventures and refreshment throughout the year.  

Read more about Finland and Tampere:  

•   Visit Finland 
•   This is Finland 
•   Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment: Welcome to Finland 
•   Visit Tampere 

How to apply    

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is the 10th of October, 2024 (at 23.59 EEST / UTC +3).  

Please write your application and all accompanying documents in English and attach them in PDF format. Applications should include the following documents:     

• Curriculum Vitae according to TENK guidelines.   
• List of publications according to Research Council of Finland guidelines. Please indicate your five most important publications and add a link to those. You may also gather the publications to a cloud file and add a link to this to your list of publications.     
• Teaching portfolio according to the university guideline.   
• A research plan (max. 4 pages) including your research vision for the future in this field and a realistic implementation plan (research questions, methods, collaboration, funding, etc.) for your research for the next 5 years.    
• A letter of motivation (max. 2 pages). This should include your motivation for applying for this post, a brief account of your career, career stage, career outlook, and key achievements. 
• The names, positions and contact details of two referees who can provide references. Only referees for shortlisted candidates may be contacted.    

Candidates may be invited for a video interview during the first stage of the recruitment process. The most qualified candidates will be invited for an interview and may undergo an aptitude assessment. They will also undergo a review by external experts and may be required to give a demonstration of their teaching skills.  

For more information, please contact:    

Professor Sami Pajunen, Head of the Unit, sami.pajunen@tuni.fi 

With questions related to the recruitment process, please contact HR specialist Taija Lankinen, taija.lankinen@tuni.fi.