Assistant/Associate Professor in Material Science of Functional Materials in Smart Material Structures

Are you interested in advancing materials science research on functional materials and smart material structures? This position offers the opportunity to conduct research on functional materials, device design and fabrication, and smart material structures while contributing to education and research development in an international academic environment.

The professorship of material science of functional materials in smart material structures is located at the Department of Physics of the LUT School of Engineering Sciences. The position is based in Lappeenranta or Lahti, Finland.

The mission of the Department of Physics is to provide expertise in material physics, measurement technologies, nanotechnology, experimental physics instrumentation, and data analysis.

What we expect from you

The professorship will strengthen research and education in material science of functional materials in smart material structures. Applicants must demonstrate strong academic expertise in materials science, particularly functional materials.

The professorship covers areas such as:

• Materials science of functional materials, particularly magnetic shape memory alloys
• Magnetocaloric materials
• Smart material structures, especially micro-scale devices
• Additive manufacturing of metallic materials
• Laser ablation micromachining of metallic materials

The successful candidate should have strong expertise in the design, fabrication, and characterisation of devices based on functional materials. Broad competence in the areas listed above is considered an advantage.

The person appointed to the position is expected to conduct and publish international research, acquire competitive research funding, initiate and lead research projects, and develop research collaboration with academic institutions and industry partners. Proven experience in research project management, multidisciplinary collaboration, and international networking is essential. Experience in leading a research group is considered an advantage.

Applicants must have research and teaching merits, proof of effective research and external funding acquisition, and international experience. Spoken and written fluency in English is required.

Practical experience in the field is not required, but it is considered an advantage. Applicants should demonstrate their willingness to collaborate with industry.

The appointment process description explains the qualification requirements, duties, and tenure track appointment criteria.

What we offer you

You will join an international research environment at LUT University and contribute to research and education in materials science and functional materials. The position provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, international networking, research leadership, and career development.

The position is situated at the assistant or associate professor level of the tenure track and will be filled through an open application process for a fixed term of four years. A six-month trial period applies. The tenure track offers a possibility to advance towards a full professorship subject to successful performance and promotion reviews.

The salary is determined according to the salary system for university teaching and research personnel. The pay will include an individual pay component based on performance and competence. The gross annual salary for an associate professor is approximately 68,000 euros, and that of an assistant professor, ranges from 50,500 to 59,000 euros, depending on qualifications and experience.

In addition to a competitive salary, the job comes with a wide range of benefits, including a holiday bonus, a generous holiday entitlement, a research incentive scheme with personal rewards for high-quality publications, flexible working hours, occupational health care, a collegial work environment, and continued commitment to your support, learning, training, and development.

For further information about the position, please contact Panja Luukka, professor and head of the Department of Physics, either by phone (+358 50 428 8290) or email (panja.luukka@lut.fi).

Take the next step in your academic career and apply now; we welcome you to the Land of the Curious!

Interested? Please submit your application by 8 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC +2). Submit your application and all required attachments by filling out the online form. All application documents must be in English and in PDF format.

The application must include the following:

• a curriculum vitae (max. 10 pages)
• a copy of your doctoral diploma
• a full list of publications, including the total number of publications in the Scopus database, the total number of citations, the h-index and Scopus ID, and equivalent information from your Google Scholar profile
• a separate list of publications you are submitting for expert evaluation (max. 10)
• the 10 publications mentioned above as separate files

• a teaching portfolio or equivalent account of your teaching qualifications, presenting courses taught by you, related feedback, your pedagogical training and teaching philosophy, and courses that you can or prefer to teach

• an account of your merits and activities of significance to the vacancy (max. 3 pages)
• an account of your vision for the development of education, research, and projects in the field at LUT University (max. 3 pages)

Please specify the tenure track level to which you are applying. Submit your application well before the deadline to allow time for uploading all attachments. Also, make sure you submit only one application. 

Read more about the LUT School of Engineering Sciences.

Read more about the Department of Physics.

Information for international staff

LUT University | LUT University seeks solutions to global issues with its expertise in technology, business, and social sciences. LUT is a trailblazer in promoting the energy transition and the regenerative use of natural resources and helps build resilient communities, industry, and businesses through data, research, and education. LUT's campuses are in Lappeenranta and Lahti, Finland, but its impact is global. Lut.fi/en

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