Assistant professor / associate professor or professor of Teacher Education Research
Faculty of Educational Sciences invites applications for the position of
ASSISTANT, ASSOCIATE OR FULL PROFESSOR OF TEACHER EDUCATION RESEARCH
Job overview
The Faculty of Educational Sciences invites applications for the position of professor specialised in research on teacher education. In this context, the field is broadly defined and covers the societal dimensions of teacher education, education systems, education policy and structural aspects. The focus is on curricula and pedagogical practices in teacher education, encompassing themes associated with learning as a teacher, professional development and the ethics of the teaching profession. The appointee will examine teacher education as a central element of teaching and learning across a range of educational settings and contexts, as well as in relation to equity, inclusion and social justice.
The appointee is expected to conduct internationally recognised research on teacher education at different educational levels and in different contexts. The appointee will examine how teacher education is linked not only to learning and teaching in various contexts, but also to education systems and societal questions.
Applicants must demonstrate their ability to effectively and thoroughly structure and manage research in teacher education. In-depth understanding of the central role of teacher education in the educational system and society is of utmost importance. Applicants are expected to have advanced and versatile methodological expertise.
Primary duties:
- High-quality research
- Teaching, student guidance and supervision on the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels
- Curriculum design for teacher education and management of educational scientific research initiatives in teacher education
- Establishment of domestic and international research collaboration projects and networks
- Research-based development of teacher education as well as development and experimentation collaboration with other faculties, the University’s teacher training schools and the field school network
- Participation in public discussion and Faculty administration.
The position offers a unique opportunity to influence teacher education as well as its research-based development and societal dimensions.
The position is located at one of the nine research communities of the Faculty of Educational Sciences. The Faculty educates a wide range of teachers, and developing the pedagogical studies for teachers is one of the appointee's key duties. Changes in Finnish society, including increasing diversity and inequality, require teacher education research to adopt perspectives through which solutions to current challenges can be identified. In the past decades, the goals set for teacher education have expanded. Teachers graduating from the Faculty must be able to apply the results of research in the educational sciences to their work and use such research in professional development.
Qualification requirements and appointment criteria
Associate and assistant professors within the tenure track system must hold an applicable doctoral degree and be capable of conducting independent scholarly work, alongside the requisite teaching skills. Research relevant to the professorship’s field is considered an asset. In addition, the appointee must be capable and willing to promote their academic career through publications and other means, and develop teaching, learning and research in the field. The assessment of applicant qualifications considers not only research and teaching merits, but also success in securing external research funding and experience in domestic and international research projects.
Full professors must hold an applicable doctoral degree and possess advanced academic qualifications, experience in leading scholarly research, and evidence of success in securing external research funding and international collaboration in their research field. Applicants must be able to deliver teaching based on top-level research and supervise theses. The position also requires academic leadership skills. The assessment of applicant qualifications considers both scholarly and teaching-related qualifications.
Pedagogical studies for teachers (60 cr) or comparable studies outside Finland will be considered an advantage.
Scholarly qualifications encompass relevant publications and other academically valuable research results, success in securing external research funding, international research experience, as well as academic responsibilities and elected positions, and international relations. Teaching qualifications encompass teaching experience and pedagogical training, the ability to produce learning material, other teaching merits and, if necessary, a demonstration of teaching skills and participation in training doctoral researchers. Also considered are applicants’ leadership and interaction skills and their active contribution to the academic community and public engagement. In addition, the appointment committee will review applicants’ views on the development of research and teaching in the field. The assessment of shortlisted applicants will consider statements by external experts and interviews carried out by the appointment committee.
The applications will be assessed comprehensively, with due regard to career stage. The University of Helsinki has signed the DORA Declaration and applies its principles to the assessment of applicants’ academic merits.
To successfully attend to the duties of the position, the appointee must also have fluent English skills. If the appointee is not proficient in Finnish or Swedish, they are expected to acquire sufficient proficiency in either language within a reasonable time. The employer will support the appointee’s language learning. Read more about the language requirements.
The chosen applicant is expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki. The Faculty of Educational Sciences provides assistance in relocation.
What we offer
The Faculty of Educational Sciences is a dynamic, inspiring and international working and studying environment that has invested in state-of-the-art research and teaching infrastructure. We encourage our staff to make bold and creative decisions while exercising high standards of ethical conduct in research, teaching and community relations.
The salary will be based on level 7 (assistant / associate professor) or levels 8-10 (professor) 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. The annual gross salary of assistant/associate professor varies between 55,000 and 69,000 Euros and of full professor between 66,000 and 99,000 Euros depending on the appointee’s qualifications and previous experience. The employment contract will include a probationary period of six months.
The faculty’s administrative and technical staff, as well as expert colleagues will support the successful appointee in their role. The University of Helsinki provides its staff with occupational health and fitness services, professional development opportunities, as well as a first-class research and teaching environment and the conditions necessary for international cooperation. Read more about work at our university.
For international applicants we offer relocation services and support in settling-in, training and other events especially designed for our international staff members, a special UniBuddy-program and specialized support for spouses (HEI LIFE Spouse Network).
Application instructions
The application, together with the required attachments, must be submitted through the University of Helsinki recruitment system by clicking on the link below. Current University employees must submit their applications through the SAP Fiori portal.
All application documents must be in English and submitted as a single PDF file, named as follows: llastname_professor_teachered. Link the PDF file to the relevant position in the recruitment system. Kindly see the instructions for the attached documents.
The application must be accompanied by the following documents:
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A motivation letter or written application
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A researcher’s curriculum vitae in accordance with University guidelines (max. 10 pages, see instructions above)
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A numbered list of publications (in which ten publications most relevant to the position are indicated in bold font, see instructions above)
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A plan for advancing research and teaching in the field and a vision for the development of the applicant’s research and the research field in general (maximum of 2 pages)
- A report on the applicant’s research activities (1–3 pages, including activity in academic communities, acquisition of research funding and international research).
Additionally we request applicants to fill out a separate report on their teaching qualifications via e-form.
Applicants are kindly asked to be prepared, after the closing of the application period and if requested by the faculty, to submit up to 10 publications of their choice to be reviewed by the external evaluators. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview and a demonstration of teaching skills.
Please note that all necessary qualifications, including the degree, must be attained by the end of the application period.
The University of Helsinki is committed to promoting equality and preventing discrimination in all its operations. We welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds.
The application deadline is 11 May 2026.
Further information
Further information on the position can obtained from the dean, professor Markku Jahnukainen (markku.jahnukainen(at)helsinki.fi) or the vice dean, professor Auli Toom (auli.toom(at)helsinki.fi).
Further information on the recruitment process can be obtained from HR Specialist Hector Nystedt (hector.nystedt(at)helsinki.fi).
For technical support for using the recruitment system: rekrytointi(at)helsinki.fi
Why Finland
Finland is a member of the EU, has high quality and inexpensive childcare, free schooling and tertiary training (also in English), excellent family benefits and healthcare, and is ranked as one of the top countries in the world for expat families. Finland also repeatedly tops the World Happiness Report. Why Finland is a great place to live and work.
The internationally esteemed and highly successful Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Helsinki is Finland’s leading unit of research and teaching in Educational Sciences and Teacher Education. The Faculty of Educational Sciences conducts research related to human growth, development and learning.
Our research encompasses the different stages of the human life cycle, from early childhood to school age, adulthood, professional life and ageing. Our research is targeted systematically at different levels of society and the education system, as well as more broadly at professional life and culture. Our research focuses on growth, development, learning and teaching in diverse environments, contexts and subjects, as well as on educational policies and practices, and the structures of the education system. We investigate the significance of education in the lives of individuals, society and social justice, and we analyse how our understanding of humanity, knowledge and educational cultures can change. The perspectives of our research are individual, collective and societal. Our strengths include a broad-based theoretical approach, as well as methodological diversity and innovation.
Our research aims towards the realization of cultural and social possibilities for the wellbeing of an individual and a society in a changing world. We provide undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education that qualifies students for both the teaching profession and other positions requiring general education academic expertise. We also provide the pedagogical studies required to qualify as a teacher to students majoring in other faculties’ disciplines.