Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry invites applications for the position of
DEAN
for a term of up to five years as of 1 January 2026.
Join us to lead a faculty that shapes the future of scholarship and tackles societal challenges. As a dean, you have the opportunity for influence and significant decisions in accordance with the University’s strategic plan and values.
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.
The dean’s duties
As the dean, you will lead the operations of your Faculty and support the rector in the University’s leadership. Your work is a central part of the Faculty’s success and its role at the University. Your duties include the following:
- Managing the Faculty’s operations in accordance with the University’s strategic plan and values
- Ensuring the success of your Faculty while taking into account the indicators of the University’s funding model
- Bearing responsibility for the efficient, economic and effective completion of the Faculty’s duties, operations and degree programmes as well as for the Faculty’s assets
- Preparing and implementing the decisions of the Faculty Council and deciding on the Faculty’s human resources and financial matters
- Contributing to the management of University-level duties in support of the rector
- Collaborating with the Faculty’s key stakeholders
Through your actions, you will always further the interests of the Faculty and the University. You will work directly under the direction of the rector of the University, receiving support from vice-deans.
What we are looking for
The position requires a strategic and forward-looking vision for the development of the Faculty and the University. Successful cooperation with the Faculty, the University community, the University’s senior leadership and stakeholders is based on interaction, openness, collegiality and objective-setting. In addition, the position requires the following:
- A doctoral degree
- Competence and professional skills required by the duties of the position
- Good leadership skills as demonstrated in practice, for example, in an academic leadership position with operational responsibility
- Financial and HR management skills as well as leadership and supervisory skills, and willingness to develop in your role
- An understanding of the academic world and experience in the academic management and leadership of a Faculty discipline
The position requires proficiency in Finnish and English. Proficiency in Swedish will be considered an asset.
When making the appointment, merit will be accorded for insight into research and educational policy, experience in teaching, and engaging in active national and international cooperation in the field of the Faculty. A visionary approach to equality and inclusivity in the international operating environment will be considered an asset.
Further information and applying
Further information about the position can be obtained from Professor Per Saris (per.saris@helsinki.fi, tel +358294159369), chair of the appointment committee, and Rector Sari Lindblom (rector@helsinki.fi).
Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications the following documents:
- A curriculum vitae and an application letter
- A statement outlining the applicant’s vision of the future of education and research in the fields represented by the Faculty (max. 2 pages)
- A description of the applicant’s leadership experience and leadership principles (max. 1 page)
Please submit your application, together with the required attachments, through the University’s electronic recruitment system no later than on Tuesday, 3 June 2025. Internal applicants (i.e., current employees of the University of Helsinki) must submit their applications through the SAP Fiori portal.
The appointment committee will convene in June to shortlist top applicants, who will be interviewed in August.
The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants of any gender and age, linguistic or cultural background, or minority group.
The University of Helsinki is a community founded on scholarship, learning and courageous thought, where groundbreaking fundamental research, open-minded curiosity and cooperation engender opportunities for solving global challenges. Our everyday work and interaction are guided by the University’s strategic plan as well as its shared values: truth, Bildung, freedom and inclusivity.