The University of Lapland invites applications for a Tenure Track (Level 2) Associate Professor position in Sustainable Naturecultures, located in the Faculty of Social Sciences. We are seeking for an outstanding scholar to join and help lead our internationally recognized Sustainable Naturecultures and Multispecies Futures (SuMu) research community.

At the University of Lapland, you will work at the forefront of globally significant questions concerning human-environment relations in the Arctic and beyond. SuMu offers a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment where social sciences, humanities, Indigenous and education studies, and artistic research meet.This is a unique opportunity to:

• shape cutting-edge research in a rapidly evolving field
• contribute to globally relevant debates on sustainability, multispecies coexistence, and planetary futures
• build an internationally visible research profile in a supportive tenure track system.

The position is filled with a fixed term of five years. Before the end of the fixed term, an evaluation process will be initiated to assess whether the employee meets the qualifications for a professorship.

Your duties include

• designing and leading high-quality research projects focusing on sustainable naturecultures, i.e. human-environment relationality
• conducting top-level research in the field of human-environment relationality and participating in international publishing activities
• coordinating research community’s activities
• strengthening the community’s external research funding
• participating in societal interaction and international cooperation with diverse stakeholders
• providing research-based teaching and guidance, and supporting students’ learning and understanding of issues related to human-environment relationality
• being an active and inspiring part of a vibrant academic community.

We offer

• engagement with a thriving research community
• interesting work tasks
• security provided by a stable organization
• modern work tools
• opportunities for professional development
• support from a team of experts
• comprehensive occupational health care
• sports, culture, and wellness benefits.

We expect

In accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the University of Lapland, the appointee must possess the education, experience, and language skills required to successfully perform the duties of the position. The criteria and evaluation procedure follow the University’s Tenure Track model. For more information, please see the University of Lapland’s website.The position of Associate Professor (Tenure Track, level 2) requires a relevant doctoral degree, a strong record of internationally recognized scientific research, and demonstrable teaching competence.

We expect the successful candidate to demonstrate the ability to conduct high-quality, theoretically informed and methodologically robust research, particularly in the field of sustainable naturecultures and human-environment relationality. A deep understanding of contemporary social scientific approaches is expected in relation to some of the research interests of the SuMu community: ecosocial transformation from a Northern perspective, Indigenous and land-based communities, relational wellbeing and livelihoods, dynamics of ecosocial coexistence, organizing within planetary boundaries, cultivation of new, multidisciplinary methodologies to investigate naturecultures, and enhancement of ethical agency through research and teaching. The candidate should have the capacity to lead research groups and to secure competitive external research funding, as well as experience in or strong potential for multidisciplinary collaboration within international research environments. To meet this requirement, excellent social and communication skills are necessary.

The Associate Professor is expected to supervise students and theses at all levels, contribute to the development of social scientifically oriented education in sustainable naturecultures, and participate actively in academic leadership, institutional responsibilities, and societal interaction.The position requires excellent command of English and proficiency in Finnish or a strong commitment to acquire it within a reasonable timeframe (typically within five years).The assessment of candidates will be based on scientific merits and international academic impact, teaching competence (including teaching portfolio and demonstration), success in acquiring research funding and academic leadership, as well as societal and community engagement.

The Tenure Track system provides a structured career path towards a full professorship based on academic merit and supports the strengthening of the University’s strategic research profile.Detailed information about the duties and requirements of the position is available in the appointment plan (tehtäväntäyttösuunnitelma) 

The documents to be attached to the application:

1. The application letter, an account of noteworthy merits and activities in view of the position (1–2 pages)
2. Curriculum Vitae according to the model of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK)
3. A teaching portfolio as instructed by the University of Lapland
4. A numbered list of publications according to the instructions of the Research Council of Finland
5. List 10 of your most important publications with links to them. If there are no links, attach the publications as separate PDF files.
6. A field-related development plan concerning research, teaching, and societal interaction (max. 3 pages)
7. Authenticated degree and work certificates qualifying you for the position.

Further information on the position

For more information about the position, please contact Director of the Sustainable Naturecultures research community Professor Outi Rantala at firstname.lastname@ulapland.fi or, in matters concerning the recruitment process, contact Administrative Manager Jukka Sankala at firstname.lastname@ulapland.fi.

Please take into account the holiday season (month of July), when the staff is not available to answer inquiries.

Workplace address: Yliopistonkatu 8, 96300 ROVANIEMI
Duration of employment: Starting from January 1, 2027 (or as agreed)
Work hours: full-time employment
Trial period: 6 months
Salary: The starting salary is approximately €5,540 - €5,774. The salary is based on the university salary system for teaching and research staff, level 7, with an additional task-specific supplement. In addition, a personal performance-based salary component is paid, amounting up to 50 % of the task-specific salary component.

University of Lapland

The University of Lapland is an international science and art university located in the City of Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. Our university creates new knowledge, skills and competence from the arctic perspective – for the North and for the world. Our fields of education and research include educational science, law, art and design, social sciences, and northern and arctic perspectives. Our strategic choices focus on global arctic responsibility, sustainable tourism, future services and governing distances.

The University of Lapland values equality and diversity within its community.