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Assistant / Associate Professor in Bioprocess Technologies in Agriculture

The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry invites applications for the position of

 

TENURE TRACK ASSISTANT / ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN BIOPROCESS TECHNOLOGIES IN AGRICULTURE

 

from 1.9.2026 onwards or as agreed. The position may be filled as a tenure track assistant professor or tenure track associate professor depending on the candidate’s merits and career stage. Information about our tenure track system:  University of Helsinki tenure track. The goal of the tenure track is to advance to a permanent professor position.

 

The appointee is expected to possess a broad and in-depth understanding of technologies based on bioprocesses in agriculture, together with demonstrated expertise in applying these technologies as part of a sustainable future food system. The appointee must have comprehensive knowledge in bioprocess methods, including fermentation, anaerobic digestion, enzymatic processing, and other biomass conversion technologies. Merit will be given to candidates who demonstrate a systemic approach and expertise in applying these technologies to the utilization of agricultural side and surplus biomass, as well as in the development of new cultivation, production, and post-harvest methods or renewable energy production, with due consideration of environmental impacts.

 

The research conducted by the Associate/Assistant Professor is expected to advance integrative and multidisciplinary technological methods and solutions that enhance the profitability and sustainability of food production. Candidates must have verifiable experience in independent research in at least one of the following thematic areas:

 

  1. utilization of bioprocess technologies for the valorization of agricultural side streams and other biomass (for example, the production of novel industrially relevant biomaterials, bio-based inputs such as recycled fertilizers, biopesticides, food and feed ingredients, or renewable energy)
  2. development of new cultivation, production, and post-harvest technologies based on bioprocesses
  3. methodological development of smart bioprocess technologies and systems in agriculture

 

Proficiency and research experience across multiple thematic areas will be considered an advantage. As this is a new position within the Faculty, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to establish a pioneering research and education pathway that is nationally and internationally distinctive at the University of Helsinki.

 

The appointee will contribute to teaching in agricultural bioprocess technology and related topics within the Bachelor’s and Master’s Programmes in Agricultural Sciences, as well as in the Master's Programme in Technologies for Sustainable Use of Renewable Resources (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/admissions-and-education/apply-bachelors-and-masters-programmes). The appointee will also supervise theses within these programmes and provide discipline-specific training in relevant doctoral programmes. The appointee participates in the development of teaching at the faculty and is also expected to work in the management teams of the degree programmes.

 

REQUIREMENTS

An appointee to the position of assistant professor or associate professor in the tenure track system shall have

  • a doctoral degree
  • the ability to conduct independent scholarly work
  • the teaching skills required for the position
  • the ability and motivation to pursue an academic career, as demonstrated by publications and other means

The degree requirement (doctoral degree) must be met by the end of the application period.

 

When considering the candidates’ qualifications, attention shall be given to scientific and teaching merits. In addition, the candidates’ leadership and interaction skills, as well as activity in the scientific community and public engagement shall also be taken into account.

 

Scientific merits include

  • scientific publications and other research results of academic value
  • success in obtaining external research funding
  • international research experience
  • other international experience

 

Teaching merits include

  • teaching experience
  • pedagogical training
  • the ability to produce learning material
  • other teaching merits
  • a teaching demonstration
  • participation in doctoral education

 

According to the Government Decree on Universities, tenure track associate/assistant professors must be proficient in Finnish. They must also have at least satisfactory spoken and written skills in Swedish. Foreign citizens, non-native Finnish citizens or citizens who have not been educated in Finnish or Swedish may be exempted from this requirement without a separate application.  If the appointee is not proficient in Finnish, they are expected to acquire intermediate level skills (CEFR level B2; https://europa.eu/europass/en/common-european-framework-reference-language-skills) within five years after the appointment. The University will support the appointee in acquiring the necessary Finnish language skills and time for language studies can be included in annual working plan. To successfully attend to the duties of the position, the appointee must have good English skills.

 

WHAT WE OFFER

We offer an interesting opportunity to work in a diverse research environment. At the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry you will carry out research-based teaching at the highest education level in the field in Finland and have the opportunity to take part in internationally valued, first-class research activities. The position is also an opportunity to develop your own professional skills in a multidisciplinary work community of the faculty. Your work will be supported by the research and teaching staff of the department and the faculty as well as the administrative and technical staff at Viikki campus.

 

The assistant/associate professor’s salary will be on level 7 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal work performance. Annual gross salary for an assistant professor amounts to approximately 55,000–63,000 euros, and for an associate professor to approximately 60,000–70,000 euros depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.

 

Furthermore, the university takes care of your well-being by flexible work arrangements, comprehensive occupational health care and wide-ranging, low-cost UniSport services. Professional development is supported in different ways, i.e. by offering versatile staff training, mentoring etc.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications a SINGLE PDF file that includes the following documents in English:

1) CV

2) A short motivation letter and report on how the applicant intends to develop his or her research and focus his or her activities, if appointed (1-2 pages)

3) Report on the applicant’s research activities (including activities in scientific communities, the acquisition of research funding and international scholarly work) (max. 5 pages)

4) A numbered list of publications

5) A report on pedagogical expertise (see the instructions via the link below under University portfolio – Teaching and supervision)

 

For more detailed instructions on the application documents, please see

https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/open-positions/instructions-applicants-teaching-and-research-positions

 

Applications with the above attachments must be submitted in a single PDF file, which is named:

bioprocess agriculture_lastname_firstname. Other attachments are not required.

 

The Faculty may request shortlisted applicants to submit 5-10 publications of their choice to be sent to the assessors via the electronic recruitment system after the application deadline. In the case of shortlisted applicants, aptitude evaluation may be used as part of the recruitment process.

 

External applicants, please submit your application using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the Apply Now link.

 

Applicants who have a helsinki.fi username and a valid employment contract, a grant researcher's contract, a visiting researcher's or visiting professor's contract at the University of Helsinki are requested to leave their application by using the Employee login.

 

The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of genders and linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

 

The closing date for applications is 26.1.2026 at 23:59 EEST.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

  • About the position: Professor Pekka Uimari, pekka.uimari(at)helsinki.fi, tel. +358 294158383
  • Recruitment process and the recruitment system: HR Specialist Mirkka Juntunen, mirkka.juntunen(at)helsinki.fi, tel. +358 294157583

 

ABOUT US

The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry is located on the Viikki campus. The mission of the faculty is to promote the sustainable use of renewable natural resources through scientific research and research-based teaching. We focus on agricultural and forest sciences, food and nutrition, microbiology, as well as on economics and management. We cover the full natural resource chain from farm to fork, the entire field of forest sciences from soil chemistry to marketing, as well as the environmental effects of related activities. Graduates from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry are versatile experts in biosciences and business, able to meet the needs of both the business sector and society at large. www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-agriculture-and-forestry

www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-agriculture-and-forestry

 

The Department of Agricultural Sciences is one of the units of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. The department conducts internationally recognized research, related to agricultural sciences and the bio-economy, and provides the highest-level education based on the research. The aim is to carry out research and teaching on plant production in agriculture and horticulture, animal production, and technologies and environmental effects pertaining to them, as well as to yield societal impact through research. The main research fields of the department are agrotechnology, animal science, plant production sciences, and soil and environmental science. The number of Department’s personnel is about 100 and the department provides BSc and MSc study programs. The Department is active in society, and has strong collaboration with companies, government agencies, research institutes and other Universities, nationally and internationally.

www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-agriculture-and-forestry/research/agricultural-sciences

 

 

WHY UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI, CITY OF HELSINKI AND FINLAND 

 

 

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Open position

Due Date:  26.1.2026

(23.59 Europe/Helsinki time)
Unit:  Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Sub-unit:  Department of Agricultural Sciences
ID:  4611

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