Assistant or Associate Professor (Tenure Track) in applied material physics

The Department of Physics, in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science at the University of Jyväskylä, is currently seeking to recruit a candidate for the position of Assistant or Associate Professor (Tenure Track) in applied material physics starting on November 1, 2024 or as agreed. The position of assistant professor is for a fixed term of three to five years and the position of associate professor is for a fixed term of five years. At the conclusion of each fixed-term assignment, there will be an evaluation procedure to assess the employee's qualifications for promotion to the next level (associate/full professor). 

This recruitment is particularly aimed at strengthening research and teaching in applied material physics. Interdisciplinary nanoscience is one of the focus areas of the faculty's research, and material physics is one of its most central components. With the recruitment, the materials structure research group will be integrated in close connection with the Nanoscience Center. 

Qualifications we are looking for 

The responsibilities of assistant/associate professors include internationally high-level research and teaching related to their research area.  

Primarily, we are looking for a person whose field of research is experimental materials physics using imaging methods. These methods can be photon, electron, or ion beam based. Experience in using X-ray tube and synchrotron-based methods is desirable as well as strong experience in applying analysis or imaging methods to material research. We also expect a strong vision for the utilisation and development of the research infrastructure relevant to this position at the University of Jyväskylä and in international cooperation. In addition to this, we appreciate the management of advanced image analysis techniques (including 3D imaging). Previous experience in interdisciplinary cooperation with biologists, chemists and engineers, for example, is considered as an advantage, as well as previous experience in business cooperation. Research experience and research ideas regarding the green transition are also considered an asset. We hope that the applicant's experience will support the current research areas of the Department of Physics, but we also expect the Assistant Professor to bring new research openings to the faculty. 

The teaching responsibilities of assistant/associate professors include lectures and other courses of physics ranging from basic courses to postgraduate ones. The tasks include advising students and supervising theses at the bachelor, master, and postgraduate levels. Additionally, assistant/associate professors are involved in societal interaction as experts. The assistant/associate professor participates in managerial research and administrative tasks, the continuous development of education, the acquisition of research funding, and demanding specialist tasks.  

Candidates should have an excellent record of conducting and publishing scientific research, establishing international networks, acquiring external funding, and teaching. Read more about general requirements for appointing an Assistant or Associate Professor. 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. maternity leave, paternity leave, parental leave and childcare leave, military service / non-military service, or long-term illness), extend the nine-year rule accordingly. 

We offer  

The faculty provides an excellent framework for materials physics research in the Nanoscience Center and the Accelerator Laboratory. The candidate will lead a research group on complex materials, but will also have flexible access to the whole faculty's facilities. The Department of Physics and the University of Jyväskylä have extensive national and international cooperation networks (e.g. HIP, CERN, FAIR, FORTHEM).   

Tenure Track Career Path    

The University supports the beginning of the Assistant or Associate Professorship in forming a research group and implementing the research plan. We support 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 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). The CV is strictly limited to four (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 (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-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, and a vision of how the applicant’s activities complement those in the Department of Physics (total max 4 pages)

6. Portfolio of teaching credits (max 3 pages)

7. Evidence of societal interaction (max 2 pages)

For further information, please contact Professor Timo Sajavaara, Director of the Department, timo.sajavaara@jyu.fi.  

Upon the consent of the applicant, a background check can be made on the person to be appointed (Security Clearance Act 726/2014). For more information on the background check and the rights of the subject of the check, see www.supo.fi.