Three tenure track assistant / associate professors in life science, HiLIFE

HiLIFE tenure track program aims to attract the most talented and motivated individuals.

In HiLIFE, we believe that breakthroughs emerge by giving talented researchers sufficient resources and freedom to pursue their ambitions and expertise towards higher goals.

We now invite applications for three tenure track assistant/associate professor positions.  

HiLIFE Helsinki Institute of Life Science is one of the leading life science research institutes in the Nordics. It fosters outstanding research and generation of innovations across the University of Helsinki campuses and Faculties to create an attractive international environment where today’s grand challenges in health and environment are solved together.   

We are now opening the 4th HiLIFE tenure track call and look forward to recruiting three new tenure track assistant/associate professors to join our excellent crowd. In the previous three calls HiLIFE has recruited 15 assistant/associate professors, who to date have been able to achieve 9 ERC grants during their years at the University of Helsinki. The tenure track positions start 2025 at the earliest and are initially for three to five years with a possibility for promotion and tenuring following successful evaluation.  

The positions are shared between one of the HiLIFE units (Institute of Biotechnology, Neuroscience Center and Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM)) and one of the participating life science faculties in Viikki, Meilahti and Kumpula campuses. We encourage applicants from all fields of life science to apply.

The faculties participate in the call and encourage applications especially from the following fields:  

Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry: Future food technologies; future resilient crops; 

Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences: human genetics; molecular evolution; 

Faculty of Medicine: neurology; psychiatry; internal medicine; 

Faculty of Pharmacy: drug discovery and development; 

Faculty of Science: Targeted radiotherapy and/or radiobiology; Diagnostic medical physics;  

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine: Food and environmental toxicology; 

Position requirements 

We seek talented candidates with a doctorate degree, post-doctoral experience, and recent demonstration of excellence in research in life sciences according to their career stage. We build on scientific excellence; a suitable candidate has for example already produced early-career scientific track record, attracted external research funding, and is now ready to start working independently.  
 

The successful candidate at the assistant professor level shows potential to be a future research leader and is expected to develop an independent, externally funded line of research in current or emerging areas of life sciences. At the associate level, evidence for these achievements is required. 

We are looking for individuals also capable of contributing to the development of life science research infrastructures, innovations and/or higher education in evolving areas of life sciences.

Early-stage independent researchers with 2 - 12 years of experience since completion of PhD are especially encouraged to apply.  For formal qualifications, please see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/academic-careers/tenure-track. The degree requirement must be met by the end of the application deadline. 

What we offer 

The positions come with an attractive negotiable startup package, and are initially for three to five years with a possibility for extension or tenuring following a successful evaluation. All positions are shared between HiLIFE units and one of the participating faculties. Contracts during the tenure track (assistant/associate professor) are with HiLIFE and following tenuring (as professor) at the faculty. The salary is negotiable within the framework of the University of Helsinki regulations. 

Want to work in the world’s happiest country in a dynamic and international institute? Finland has been nominated as the happiest country in the world seven times in a row. https://media.visitfinland.com/en/media-press-releases/five-ultimate-reasons-travel-finland-happiest-country/   

HiLIFE takes a proactive and transformative role in ensuring that our institute is the best place for everyone to conduct their work. Our Code of Conduct translates the University of Helsinki values and principles into practical guidelines that define how we behave and wish to be treated with zero tolerance against inappropriate behavior, bullying, harassment, or discrimination. 

Application & recruitment process 

Applications are submitted as a single pdf attachment via the link at the bottom of the page. On the separate attached pdf, the applicant includes the following: 

• a motivation letter (max 1 page);  
• curriculum vitae including teaching experience  
• a list of not more than 20 publications, patents, invention disclosures, and/or other important research outputs, including five highlighted key publications with a brief summary of their importance on top; 
• a research plan (max 2 pages excl references).  

Applications are submitted by September 30, 2024 (call closes at 23:59 EEST (UTC+3)). 

Evaluation of applications is carried out by an Appointment Committee and includes external referee statements and interviews of shortlisted applicants. Finalists must successfully complete an interview process that includes a research seminar and teaching demonstration. The interviews are expected to take place on February 10 - 14, 2025 – we kindly ask candidates to save the dates; invitations to the site visit will be sent out in December – early January. The recruitment is expected to be completed in April 2025. 

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

Further information 

• HiLIFE director Jari Koistinaho, e-mail: jari.koistinaho(at)helsinki.fi 
• Recruitment team: hilife-recruit(at)helsinki.fi 
• For more information on the process and schedule, please contact Human Resources Partner Anu Roine, e-mail: anu.roine(at)helsinki.fi  
• For more information on HiLIFE, please contact Head of Administration Jonna Katajisto, e-mail: jonna.katajisto(at)helsinki.fi 
• In case you need support with the recruitment portal, please contact recruitment(at)helsinki.fi 

HiLIFE 

Life Science research in at the University of Helsinki covers broad scope from structure, function and dynamics of molecules, microbes and cells to entire organisms and ecosystems. Multiple units at all four University’s campuses, but mainly Viikki and Meilahti, host life science researchers. HiLIFE was established in 2017 to bridge over University’s units and campuses and thus build even more vibrant life science community.  

HiLIFE contains the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM, Institute of Biotechnology (BI) and Neuroscience Center (NC). These units play an important role in developing a strong international research environment in their focus areas and bring important expertise to HiLIFE in recruitment, training, core facilities, innovation, and international cooperation. HiLIFE also takes responsibility of cross-campus needs and the development in the Life Science area. This dual role makes HiLIFE a unique entity in the University. 

HiLIFE employs more than 650 diverse scientists and support staff. With about 50% international staff the daily working language is English. HiLIFE’s budget exceeds 70 M€ of which over 65% is external competed research funding. HiLIFE hosts about 80 principal investigators including multiple ERC grantees. Measured by CNCI (Category Normalized Citation Impact 2017-2020) HiLIFE is the top research unit at the University. It is also forerunner in the open publishing. 

What’s life like as a HiLIFE assistant / associate professor? Please see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/academic-careers to watch the story of one of our tenure track professors and hear what she has discovered during her years in Helsinki. 

Curious to know more about HiLIFE or the assistant/associate professor positions? Check out our web page for applicants.   

University of Helsinki & Finland 

Through the power of science, the University of Helsinki has contributed to society, education, and welfare since 1640. The University is a vibrant and international scientific community of 40 000 students and researchers. It is one of the leading multidisciplinary research universities in Europe. The University of Helsinki is currently investing heavily in life sciences research. UH offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development. 

Our vision 2030 is to be one of the world’s leading universities that generates understanding through research and teaching for the benefit of the global community. Everyday activities and interaction are founded on the shared values of truth, bildung, freedom and inclusivity. Our research and teaching draw inspiration from four themes that spur collaboration between fields and disciplines and renew research and learning: A meaningful life, human wellbeing and a healthy environment; A humane and fair world; A sustainable and viable future for our globe; and A universe of ideas and opportunities.  

Finland is a member of the EU, has high quality free schooling (also in English), generous family benefits and healthcare, and was recently ranked as the best country in the world for expat families and in the world’s top ten most liveable cities. Finland and the Helsinki region possess top expertise in sciences in terms of a vibrant talent pool, leading research, strong support services and functioning collaboration networks. For more information about working at the University of Helsinki and living in Finland, please see www.helsinki.fi/en/university/working-at-the-university