University lecturer (Human-Technology Interaction)

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  

The Computing Sciences Unit of the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences at Tampere University is looking for a University Lecturer in Human-Technology Interaction. The position is permanent.

The Unit of Computing Sciences covers a uniquely wide range of research and education in information technology and computer science. We offer higher education for degree students, in lifelong learning programs, as well as in the fitech.io online university. We are actively developing online education that is independent of time and place. We underline the importance of students’ learning experience, and we emphasize the importance of personal student support, also in hybrid teaching. 

The position is in the field of Human-Technology Interaction (HTI), also known as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Tampere University has internationally one of the strongest teaching offerings in this field. The topics of our HTI curriculum include, among others, human-centered design, interaction techniques, user interface and interaction design, user experience, accessibility, and sustainability of digitalization. We aim to educate versatile and responsible designers, developers and researchers of the digital world – future experts who master both the practical and theoretical aspects of human-technology interaction.

Job description 

This position includes both education and research. While the main tasks focus on education, university lecturers may (and are expected to) do research, depending on external funding. The educational duties include giving two introductory courses in the field, supervision of thesis work, and possibly teaching in one or more advanced-level courses, which are to be discussed with respect to the interests and skills of the selected person. The introductory courses include topics like the basics of human-centered design, user interfaces and user experience, covering both the theoretical principles and practical design work (e.g., interaction design or visual design). The teaching tasks include both planning and implementation of courses, updating the related pedagogical methods and techniques, taking part in the HTI curriculum planning as a whole, and instructing project work and theses. The teaching methods cover contact teaching in class, online, and their combinations (i.e., hybrid teaching). The contact teaching may take place both at the Centrum campus and the Hervanta campus in Tampere.

Additionally, the position includes research in the broad area of HTI and applying for research funding. The research is linked to the HTI sub-unit under the Computing Sciences, which includes, for example, the TAUCHI research center, Gamification Group, and DigiSus research platform. The research should also connect to the unit’s and faculty’s research areas and the university’s research strategy. The university lecturer position may also include administrative and development duties related to the unit’s teaching and the degree programs. We expect that the selected person would know the modern requirements of this education field and be able to inspire and actively involve students from diverse backgrounds. Overall, the work duties will be specified in more detail with the selected person, based on their competencies and interests. The duties are also clarified in the annual work planning process.

Requirements 

We require the candidates to have:  

• an applicable doctoral degree, 
• expertize in offering high-quality research-led education,
• teaching experience at the level of master's degree studies,
• experience in independent scholarly activity in human-technology interaction,
• a minimum of 10 ETCS in university pedagogy (or other equivalent studies)  
  • If you have not completed these studies when joining the University, we expect you to complete them within two years from the beginning of the employment. We have pedagogical studies available for all our teaching staff, free of charge.  

The candidate is expected to have excellent English language skills and good cooperation and interpersonal skills.   

The following are considered as additional merits: 

• experience in curriculum development,
• working as a practitioner in, for example, user interface design, user/customer experience, service design or information visualization,
• acquisition of external research funding,
• supervision of research projects,
• competencies related to software development and programming,
• proficiency in Finnish.

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

We offer 

The position will be filled on a permanent basis, starting in 1 August 2024 or as mutually agreed. The salary is based on job demands and employees’ personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. The position of university lecturer is initially placed at levels 6-7 in the salary system. In addition, employees receive performance-based salary. A typical starting salary for the university lecturer will be around 4400-4900 €/month. 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, a variety of affordable food and drink outlets across our campuses and a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities in your free time. Read more about Tampere University as an employer and get acquainted with us and with Tampere here. 

Tampere University offers to those working in teaching-oriented positions good opportunities for professional development through pedagogical training as well as various networks and events aimed at teaching staff.

Finland has been assessed to be among the best countries in the world with respect to many quality-of-life indicators, including being the overall #1 country in human wellbeing. Finland provides one of the most advanced and comprehensive social security in the world. It includes for example sickness benefits, various family benefits and a comprehensive healthcare system. Finland is among the leading countries in ICT & Digitalization, from 5G networks to financial technology, artificial intelligence, and AR/VR innovations to IoT, digital education and health solutions. More information about studying and working in Finland can be obtained from the links and also from InfoFinland and This is Finland.  

Tampere, located between two big lakes, is Finland’s second largest city area and the biggest inland city in the Nordic countries. The nature is close everywhere you turn your head in Tampere. Finnish Citizens have voted Tampere in 2021 and 2022 as the best Finnish City to live in.  This together with a strong tradition in industry make Tampere a unique environment for living and working. At present the region hosts a great deal of industry and service businesses, and the City of Tampere is a major hub for the Finnish ICT industry.  For more information on Tampere, please check VisitTampere and BusinessTampere. 

How to apply 

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The link is at the end of this announcement. The closing date for applications is 29th of April (at 23:59 EEST / UTC +3). Please attach the following documents in your application in PDF format:  

• Curriculum Vitae prepared according to the guidelines issued by the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK)  
• List of publications according to the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland  
• Teaching portfolio according to our guidelines  
• A free-format letter of motivation (max 2 pages)

For those candidates who are selected for a personal interview, the recruitment process will also include an evaluation of teaching competence. Personal interviews are planned to be held on the 21st and 23rd of May 2024. 

For more information, please contact: 

Professor Thomas Olsson: tel. +358 40 849 0819, thomas.olsson@tuni.fi

Professor Kaisa Väänänen: tel. +358 40 849 0731, kaisa.vaananen@tuni.fi