Dean, the faculty of biological and environmental sciences

The University of Helsinki is a community founded on research, learning and courageous thought, where groundbreaking basic 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 shared values: truth, Bildung, freedom and inclusivity.

The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-biological-and-environmental-sciences) is Finland’s most high-profile and extensive hub of research and teaching in the field. The Faculty educates experts to meet the needs of universities, research institutes, government, schools and the business sector.

The disciplines represented by the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences are central to healthcare and medicine, the sustainable use of natural resources, the resolution of environmental problems, food production, and many other fields of industry. The faculty is comprised of three research programmes.

The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences has also biological stations at Kilpisjärvi, in Lapland, and Lammi, in Southern Finland, as well as Zoological station at Tvärminne on the coast of the Baltic Sea.

The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences invites applications for a DEAN to lead the Faculty’s operations and support the rector in the University’s leadership. The dean will be appointed for a term of maximum 5 years from 1 January 2025 or as agreed.   

As a dean, you will lead the faculty’s operations based on the University’s strategic plan and values. You will be responsible for the efficient, economic and effective completion of the Faculty’s duties, operations and degree programmes. You will prepare and implement the decisions of the Faculty Council and will be responsible for the Faculty’s human resources and financial matters as well as the assets managed by the Faculty. You will ensure your Faculty’s successful performance in accordance with the University’s values, while taking into account the indicators used in the university funding model. You will also contribute to the management of University-level duties in support of the rector. Through your actions, you will always further the interests of the University and your Faculty.  You will report to the rector of the University.

The position of dean requires a strategic and future-oriented 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.

Requirements

The dean must have financial and people management skills as well as leadership and supervisory skills, and be willing to develop in their role. The dean must have an understanding of the academic world and experience in the academic management and leadership of a Faculty discipline.  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. The position requires knowledge of Finnish, Swedish and English. If necessary, the University will support the appointee in developing their Finnish language proficiency during the first year. 

The appointee must hold a doctoral degree and have the competence and professional skills necessary to complete the duties of the position. In addition, the appointee must have good leadership skills as demonstrated in practice, for example, in an academic leadership position with operational responsibility.  

Further information and application instructions

For additional information about the position, please contact Professor Ville Mustonen, chair of the appointment committee v.mustonen(at)helsinki.fi, +358 294159602, and Rector Sari Lindblom rector(at)helsinki.fi.

Further information on the application process can be obtained from Ville Honkanen, head of human resources, phone +358 294122375, ville.honkanen(at)helsinki.fi.

Applications should be accompanied by the following documents:
1) A curriculum vitae and an application letter
2) A statement outlining the applicant’s vision of the future of education and research in the fields represented by the Faculty (max. 2 pages)
3) 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. The fields relating to education and work experience need not be completed. If you have questions about the recruitment system, please contact rekrytointi@helsinki.fi. We ask applicants to note that, as the University is an institution under public law, its recruitments are public.

The deadline for applications is 23 October 2024.