University Lecturer in Plant Biology

The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki is seeking a
 

UNIVERSITY LECTURER in the field of Plant biology
 

for a permanent position starting no later than 1 September 2025.
 

We are looking for a university lecturer with experience and expertise in teaching and research in plant biology.

The university lecturer will primarily teach in the faculty's bachelor's programs in the field of plant biology, including laboratory teaching as well as plant physiology and anatomy courses. The university lecturer will develop the teaching in the field together with other teachers in the program, act as a supervising teacher, guide thesis work, and conduct scientific research in the field. The teaching duties of university lecturers in the faculty account for 40-60% of the total working time, including not only course teaching but also the planning of teaching, participation in teaching administration, and supervision of theses.
 

In terms of research, we particularly value activities in the field of plant biology that complements research expertise within the Organismal and Evolutionary Biology research program and supports the teaching provided by the university lecturer.

SELECTION CRITERIA
 

The candidate is required to hold a doctoral degree, have experience and evidence of scientific research, and have experience in high-quality, research-based teaching and thesis supervision.

The evaluation criteria for the university lecturer consist of three main areas:

Teaching and supervision merits:

• Experience in research-based teaching and supervision, as well as other teaching achievements
• Ability to develop teaching
• Pedagogical competence

Research merits:

• Evidence of active publication activity in recent years
• Demonstration of other scientific activities
• For example, evidence of independent research, ability to lead a research group, participation in national or international research groups or networks, and experience in acquiring research funding

Societal engagement:

• Evidence of societal engagement and interaction

Applicants selected for the shortlist will be required to provide a teaching demonstration in Finnish. Teaching skills are assessed at the University of Helsinki when filling teaching and research positions, and the successful candidate must be evaluated as having good teaching skills (see assessment matrix).

According to the Universities Act, a university lecturer must have proficiency in the language of instruction, either Finnish or Swedish. Successful performance in the role of university lecturer in botany requires proficiency in Finnish. The position also requires a good command of English.

WHAT WE OFFER
 

The University of Helsinki is one of the leading multidisciplinary research universities and ranks among the top international universities in the world. It is an international scientific community of 40,000 students and researchers and an equal opportunity employer. The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences is Finland’s premier hub for life science research and education. The Faculty consists of three Research Programmes: Ecosystems – and Environment, Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, and the Molecular and Integrative Biosciences.

The lectureship is based in the wide-ranging and multidisciplinary Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme. Our research is focused on the organism and population levels of a number of species, including single-cell organisms, invertebrates, plants and vertebrates. The programme employs diverse research approaches ranging from molecular biology, physiology, evolutionary genetics and genomics to theoretical modelling and bioinformatics. The research produces and utilises large-scale datasets in ecology, bioinformatics, and metabolomics, or the study of cellular metabolites. The up-to-date infrastructures and working environment in the university’s Viikki campus and biological research stations offer a strong support for research and teaching.

We offer a responsible and interesting position in a diverse working environment. At the Faculty, you will be able to implement research-based, top-level education in the field in Finland and be part of internationally respected and high-quality scientific research activities. The position provides an opportunity to develop one's own professional competence in a multidisciplinary work community. The work is supported by the teaching and research staff of the research programme and the faculty, as well as the administrative and technical staff of the Viikki campus. The salary of the position is based on levels 6–7 of the demand level scale for teaching and research staff in the universities' salary system. In addition, a salary component based on personal performance is paid, resulting in a gross salary of EUR 4200–5,300 per month. The position will be filled during a probationary period of six months.

HOW TO APPLY

Please attach to the application a motivation letter (maximum 1 page) with a justification for why you are applying for the position, a university portfolio and a description of other activities that you wish to bring to the attention of the faculty. Application documents are requested as a single PDF file. Instructions for compiling a university portfolio: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/open-positions/instructions-applicants-teaching-and-research-positions

External applicants apply for the position in the recruitment system via the Apply now link. Applicants with helsinki.fi user IDs and a valid employment contract, grant researcher contract, visiting researcher or visiting professor contract at the University of Helsinki apply for the position via the Employee login link

The application period ends on 17.1.2025 (at 23.59).

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

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information can be obtained from the Director of the Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Professor Anna-Liisa Laine (anna-liisa.lainen (at)helsinki.fi, tel +358 504484430) and Head of the Bachelor’s Programme, University Lecturer Timo Saarinen (timo.saarinen(at)helsinki.fi, tel 02941 57767)

Further information on the recruitment process can be obtained from HR Specialist Harri Hamara: harri.hamara(at) helsinki.fi, tel +358 504489965).