Professor/Associate or Assistant Professor, Meteorology
The Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) at the Faculty of Science of the University of Helsinki invites applications for a
PROFESSOR OR ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN METEOROLOGY
Position description
The field of the position is meteorology. Candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas are especially encouraged to apply: dynamic meteorology, synoptic-scale meteorology, and numerical weather prediction. The successful candidate is expected to conduct an outstanding independent research program, direct and participate in collaborative networks and projects, supervise students and post-doctoral researchers, make use of national and international research funding opportunities, participate in education at all levels at the Department, and promote the interaction between academia and society. The work particularly includes a close collaboration between University of Helsinki and Finnish Meteorological Institute in research and in education.
The appointee is expected to contribute to teaching of courses on synoptic meteorology and numerical weather prediction. The teaching is part of Master’s Programme in Meteorology, Atmospheric and Climate-System Sciences (ATM-MP) and Doctoral Programme in Science (SciDoc). The appointee is expected to contribute to the development of education and curricula in meteorology and atmospheric sciences.
Qualifications
To be successful in the position, the candidate must have an internationally recognized track record in synoptic scale dynamic meteorology and in numerical weather prediction methods and/or multi-scale meteorological modeling and associated observing systems.
An Assistant/Associate Professor in the tenure track shall hold a doctoral degree and have the ability to conduct independent scientific research, have the teaching skills necessary for the position, and have the ability and motivation for an academic career. A professor must hold a doctoral degree and have high-level academic qualifications as well as experience in leadership in scientific research.
When assessing the qualifications of each candidate, attention will be paid to scientific achievements and merits in teaching and training. Assessment of the former is based on scientific publications and other research results of scientific value, candidate’s activities within the research community, success in obtaining research funding, international mobility, academic leadership, outreach activities, and the breadth of research topics in meteorology. As for teaching and training, attention will be paid to teaching experience and pedagogical training, the ability to develop courses and produce teaching materials, participation in master and doctoral education, and other possible teaching merits.
What we offer
The University will offer the appointee an attractive career opportunity in top-level research and research-based teaching, possibilities for international collaboration, and, for assistant/ associate professors, prerequisites to grow into full professorship. The contracts for assistant and associate professors have a fixed term of 3–5 years, towards the end of which an evaluation is made concerning possible promotion to the next level. Assuming a successful evaluation at the end of the associate professorship, a promotion to a permanent full professorship will ensue.
A typical starting gross salary for a newly appointed professor is 84 000–98 000 euros/year. For assistant and associate professors, starting gross salaries are 68 000-74 000 euros/year and 76 000-82 000 euros/year, respectively.
At the start of the appointment, it is also possible to discuss potential start-up funding to support the launch of research activities.
The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including preventive occupational health services and general medical care, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development. The University is an equal opportunity workplace, and we do our best to promote an inclusive university community. We encourage all qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for our positions. We support the compatibility of work and family-life e.g. by providing an opportunity for 6 weeks of paid annual leave.
The University assists employees from abroad with their transition to work and life in Finland and e.g. offers support for language studies to learn Finnish and Swedish. Finland is a family-friendly country with generous parental leaves, affordable state-subsidized day care that is available for all children, as well as world-renowned free primary education and universal healthcare. For more on the University of Helsinki as an employer and living in Helsinki, please see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers and https://welcome.hel.fi.
How to apply
Applications must have the following enclosures as separate pdf files (in English):
- A cover letter describing the candidate’s suitability for the position and motivation to apply for it (1–2 pages).
- An academic portfolio, including a list of publications, following the guidelines at https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-science/faculty/join-us/academic-portfolio. In particular, please outline your near-term research plans and broader research goals as part of the section “Research statement” of the portfolio, and as part of the section “Teaching qualifications” outline your vision in developing the studies in the field.
Please upload the PDF file to the slot reserved for CV.
Please submit your application through the University of Helsinki´s recruitment system. The deadline for applications is 15.10.2026.
External applicants, please submit your application via the Apply Now button.
Internal applicants, who have a helsinki.fi username and a valid employment/grant/visitor contract, please submit your application via the Employee login button.
Further information
For further information, please contact:
- About the position and the working environment: Head of Department, Professor Tuukka Petäjä, tuukka.petaja(at)helsinki.fi
- About the recruitment process and recruitment system: recruitment(at)helsinki.fi
Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) is a multi- and interdisciplinary research unit based in physics, chemistry, meteorology, forest sciences, environmental sciences and social sciences in the University of Helsinki. INAR aims to strengthen the internationally leading, integrated multidisciplinary research and education environment for atmospheric and Earth system science and to feed in scientific results for the national and international environment and climate policy. It performs multiscale research from molecular to global scale and focuses on climate change, air quality, biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem processes. INAR is part of the Atmosphere and Climate Competence Centre (ACCC), a Research Council of Finland flagship programme, with partners in Finnish Meteorological Institute, University of Eastern Finland and Tampere University.
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