University Lecturer in Ecology

 
The University of Helsinki Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences invites applications for the position of University Lecturer in Ecology for an ongoing appointment from 1 February 2027, or as agreed. We are seeking a university lecturer with experience and expertise in ecology teaching and research.

 
The appointee’s teaching will focus mainly on the Bachelor’s Programme in Biology, along with ecology-related courses in the Master’s Programme in Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity conservation as well as the Master’s Programme in Nature, Society, and Environmental Solutions, including ecology field courses. They will work with other teaching staff from the programmes to develop the discipline, guide students, supervise theses and conduct scientific research in the field. They will also take on responsibilities in postgraduate education. The Faculty’s university lecturers spend between 40% to 60% of their annual workload on teaching duties, including course teaching and design, contributions to academic and research administration, and thesis supervision.

Beyond teaching, we value a strong track record of ecology-related research, as well as research work that builds on other ecological expertise at the Department of Organismal and Evolutionary Biology.

Appointment Criteria

 
The appointee must hold a doctoral degree in ecology or another applicable field, together with experience of, and a proven track record in, scientific research, high-quality research-based teaching, and thesis supervision.

 
The assessment criteria for university lecturer applicants are based on three areas:

The assessment of teaching and supervision merits considers teaching and supervision experience, other teaching merits, the ability to develop teaching, and pedagogical competence. Leading applicants will be invited to give a teaching demonstration. The assessment of teaching skills forms an integral part of recruitment to teaching and research positions at the University of Helsinki, and the appointee must achieve a rating of at least ‘good’ on this measure (see the assessment matrix).

 
The assessment of research merits considers evidence of active publication in recent years, along with other demonstrable scholarly activity. Consideration is also given to evidence of independent research activity, the ability to lead a research group, participation in Finnish or international research groups or networks, and experience in acquiring research funding. 

The assessment also takes into account evidence of the applicant’s public engagement.

Under the Government Decree on Universities, university lecturers must be proficient in the language in which they teach, either Finnish or Swedish. Successful performance in this particular role requires proficiency in Finnish, as well as good English skills.

 
What We Offer

 
We offer an interesting and challenging position within a multifaceted environment. At the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, you will have the chance to provide research-based education at the highest level in Finland, while contributing to world-class scientific research. The role offers the appointee the opportunity to develop their professional skills within a multidisciplinary workplace community, with support from the teaching and research staff of both the Department and the Faculty, as well as from the administrative and technical staff on Viikki Campus.

The salary will be based on levels 6–7 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research staff in the Finnish university salary system. The appointee will also receive a salary component based on personal work performance. Their gross monthly salary will fall approx. between €4,400 and €5,600, and the position will carry a six-month trial period.

The University of Helsinki ranks among the world’s leading multidisciplinary research universities and among the world leaders in ecology (8th place in the Shanghai ranking in ecology in 2025). Its Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences stands as Finland’s most significant research and teaching unit in its field, made up of three departments: Environmental Sciences, Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, and Molecular and Integrative Biosciences.

The university lecturer position is based in the broad, multidisciplinary Department of Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, where research spans organismal, population and community levels across a wide array of organismal groups. Approaches used range from experimental ecology and long-term monitoring to physiology, evolutionary genetics and genomics, as well as theoretical modelling and bioinformatics. Research encompasses the full spectrum from basic to applied work, in support of biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources. Modern infrastructures and work environments at the University’s Viikki Campus and biological research stations offer robust support for both research and teaching.

Application Instructions

Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications the following documents in English, submitted as a single pdf file named Ecology_Lecturer_Lastname_Firstname:

1.    Motivation letter (max. 1 page) 
2.    CV 
3.    A report on the applicant’s previous research activities and acquired external funding over the past 10 years, including the amount of funding, status as PI or co-PI, funding agency, project name and years, and a plan for how the applicant intends to develop their research and focus their activities in the future (max. 3 pages) 
4.    A report on teaching experience and merits relevant to the evaluation of teaching skills (max. 3 pages) 
5.    A numbered list of publications and other works with which the applicant wishes to demonstrate their competence and merits, with a maximum of 10 most important publications highlighted with brief explanations.
6.    Statement of language skills

Alternatively, an academic portfolio may be provided containing the above documents and information. For guidance on preparing an academic portfolio, please refer to Instructions for applicants to teaching and research positions: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/open-positions/instructions-applicants-teaching-and-research-positions.

Applicants from outside the University must apply via the University’s recruitment system by clicking on ‘Apply now’. Those holding a helsinki.fi user account and a valid employment contract, or a contract as a grant-funded researcher, visiting researcher or visiting professor at the University of Helsinki, should instead click on ‘Employee login’.

 
The closing date for applications is 6 November 2026 at 23.59 (EET).

 
Further Information

•    Further information about the position is available from Deputy Department Director Jarno Vanhatalo (jarno.vanhatalo(at)helsinki.fi, +358 50 317 5494), Director Roosa Laitinen of the Bachelor’s Programme in Biology (roosa.laitinen(at)helsinki.fi) and Director Marjo Saastamoinen of the Master’s Programme in Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity conservation (marjo.saastamoinen(at)helsinki.fi).

•    Should you have any questions about the recruitment process, or need support or adjustments at any stage, please reach out to recruitment(at)helsinki.fi – we are here to support you.

A diverse and equitable study and work culture is important to us. That is why we do our best to promote an inclusive university community. We encourage all qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for our positions.
 
Click this link to read about accessibility and inclusivity at our University.
 
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