Assistant or Associate Professor (tenure track) in Community Ecology

The Faculty of Mathematics and Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä (JYU) is seeking to recruit a candidate for the position of Assistant or Associate Professor (tenure track) in Community Ecology starting on April 1, 2025 or as agreed. The position of an Assistant Professor is for a fixed term of three to five years, and the position of an Associate Professor is for a fixed term of five years. Before the end of the fixed-term period, an evaluation procedure is launched to assess the merits of the person for the next level (fixed-term Associate Professor/permanent Full Professor).

We are looking for a colleague who will strengthen research and teaching in community ecology  at JYU, as well as increase knowledge related to biodiversity and biodiversity assessments (incl. different observational, experimental and modelling methods).In a rapidly changing world, robust theoretical analyses of biodiversity based on observational and experimental data are key for predicting the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms  determining how and to what extent individuals, species and communities respond to human-induced environmental stressors.

Qualifications we are looking for

The responsibilities of the appointed Assistant/Associate Professor include internationally high-level research in biodiversity and community ecology. The teaching responsibilities include lectures and other courses about community ecology ranging from basic to postgraduate level courses. The tasks further include supervising students at the bachelor, master, and postgraduate levels, as well as tasks related to academic leadership.

The Assistant/Associate Professor is expected to contribute to the development of data science teaching in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science and to the development of interdisciplinary science and teaching of sustainabilty in a cross-faculty setting of the University of Jyväskylä. In addition, we expect willingness to engage in evidence-based societal interaction to support the sustainability transition towards planetary well-being.

Applicants are expected to have:

• Strong research background in community ecology of terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity data analysis and evidence of broad range of research and teaching experience in community ecology in terrestrial and/or aquatic ecosystems
• A strong track record of conducting and publishing scientific research, acquiring external funding, initiating independent research projects, engaging/establishing international networks and collaborations in community ecology of terrestrial and/or aquatic ecosystems.Proven teaching experience and/or pedagogical training, in particular the ability to provide research-based teaching in community ecology of terrestrial and/or aquatic ecosystems.
• Experience in science-based societal interaction is considered an advantage

When evaluating candidates, we place the greatest emphasis on scientific merit. Read more about the general requirements for appointing an assistant professor or associate professor (tenure track). The qualification requirements should be met before the closing time of this call.

Please note that candidates for the position of the Assistant Professor must have completed a doctoral degree within the last nine years and have postdoctoral research experience in Finland and/or abroad. Special circumstances (e.g. parental leave and childcare leave, military service / nonmilitary service, or long-term illness) extend the nine-year rule accordingly.

We offer

The Faculty provides an excellent framework for biodiversity and community ecology research and education. The position is placed at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science, with world-class research expertise and equipment to support the work of an Assistant/Associate Professor. Research at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science is a central part of the University’s denoted core research field of basic natural phenomena and mathematical thinking. The research in the Department focuses on three core areas: evolutionary biology (evolutionary ecology), natural resources and environment (including aquatic research, ecotoxicology, conservation biology and biodiversity research), and biological nanoscience. The Department building, Ambiotica, is an integral part of the University of Jyväskylä's Ylistönrinne Mathematics and Science Research Complex, which also includes buildings for chemistry, physics and nanoscience. Ambiotica houses high quality laboratories for ecology and environmental science, molecular bioscience and experimental facilities for a wide range of biological and chemical analyses as well as highly motivated laboratory personnel. Assistant/associate professors also have available to them  a variety of infrastructure and support staff for field research. The Konnevesi Research Station, experimental laboratories, and modern greenhouses provide a framework for extensive biological research from the molecular to the organism level, to which assistant/associate professors can contribute.

Cross-faculty research, teaching and societal impact activities by the Assistant/Associate Professor will be supported by the cross-faculty School of Resource Wisdom. JYU.Wisdom is an open and transdisciplinary academic community with over 300 affiliated scholars and students from all six faculties of JYU, with the mission to advance research and education of sustainability transition and planetary well-being. Importantly, JYU.Wisdom takes seriously the interaction with society and aspires to advance and advocate evidence based societal decision making with the goal of reducing existential risks for the diversity of life and of promoting the simultaneous human and nonhuman well-being.

Tenure Track Career Path

The University supports the beginning of the Assistant/Associate Professorship in forming a research group and implementing the research plan as well as success on the career path. A more detailed description of the tenure track model, requirements, and selection/promotion criteria is available at the website of Tenure Track career path at the University of Jyväskylä. New Tenure Track Assistant and Associate Professors can apply for the Rector’s starting grant.

The University is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions, and undertakes the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland and Dora Declaration. We appreciate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. In recruitment, we follow the Code of Conduct and Recommendations for the Recruitment of Researchers as defined in the European Charter for Researchers European Charter for Researchers.

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities as well as several restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts. Finland provides one of the most advanced and comprehensive social security in the world including e.g., sickness benefits, various family benefits and a comprehensive healthcare system. Please read more about working at the University of Jyväskylä, the City of Jyväskylä and living in Finland in the Handbook for international staff and visitors.

A competent and prosperous scientific community

At the University of Jyväskylä, you are a respected member of the University community. You get the opportunity to learn from your colleagues and meet high-level researchers from the full spectrum of science and humanities. Here the barriers between disciplines are low, and we encourage our employees to cross them in their daily work. We offer you a meaningful career where you can make a real impact in your field and society. You will become part of our international and multidisciplinary community where the wellbeing of everyone is important. We provide a good setting for a mobile and healthy lifestyle on and around campus. The Jyväskylä region offers an excellent balance between ambitious work and a chance to relax after work, with beautiful nature and various sport and cultural activities within close distance from home and work.

Salary

The initial annual salary will be approximately; Assistant Professor 51,000-60,000 EUR and Associate Professor 59,000-69,000 EUR (gross income, including a holiday bonus). The salary will be revised in accordance with the Collective Agreement of Finnish Universities. A trial period of six months will be used at the beginning of the employment.

How to apply

The online application form should include (in English, the name of the applicant must appear in the title/filename of each attachment, attachments in PDF format):

1. A cover / motivation letter
2. Curriculum vitae, including personal ORCID ID (A template from The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity is preferred) (max 4 pages)
3. A numbered list of all scientific publications and other publications showing the applicant’s ability and merits
4. A maximum of five (5) main publications, numbered in accordance with the list of publications (combined in one PDF file) or a document that lists the names of the publications and the links through which the publications are made available (free of charge). Co-authored publications must be accompanied by a description of the applicant's contribution to them
5. A brief description of the applicant’s merits related to research, research management and funding and a research plan for the position including a vision of how the applicant’s activities complement those in the Department of Biological and Environmental Science (total max 4 pages)
6. Portfolio of teaching merits (max 3 pages)
7. Evidence of societal interaction (max 2 pages)

Further information: Professor Leena Lindström, Director of the Department, leena.m.lindstrom@jyu.fi.