The Faculty of Art and Design at the University of Lapland invites applications for the position of Professor / Associate Professor (Tenure Track, level 2) in Art Education. The field of the position is visual arts teacher education and research in art education and will be filled from 1 February 2027.

The position is located in the Faculty of Art and Design at the University of Lapland. The University also comprises the Faculties of Education, Social Sciences, and Law, as well as the Arctic Centre. Together with Lapland University of Applied Sciences, the University forms the Lapland University Consortium (LUC). The Faculty of Art and Design offers degree programmes in Art Education, Graphic Design, Audiovisual Media Culture, Fashion and Textile Design, and Design. In addition, the faculty provides several master’s programmes designed to meet current educational needs.

The position adheres in the Department of Visual Arts, which includes the degree programme in Art Education as well as studies in visual arts and culture. Teaching and supervision in the faculty are grounded in research and artistic practice. Studies in Art Education combine theoretical inquiry, artistic practice, and art pedagogy. The programme emphasises contemporary art, the role of art education in sustainability transformations, and the promotion of social and cultural equality. Graduates of the Art Education programme are qualified to teach visual art in basic and upper secondary education in Finland, as well as at other educational levels and in basic art education. They are also qualified for expert roles in visual culture within cultural institutions, museums, organisations, and businesses. Students can tailor their studies to align with their individual career goals.

A northern orientation and regional engagement are central to the faculty’s project activities in Art Education. Core and doctoral studies are closely connected to these projects. The field maintains extensive regional, national, and international networks, with multidisciplinary collaboration across academic institutions, art organisations, and enterprises. While research has a strong focus on Arctic contexts, collaborations and research activities extend globally.

The Faculty of Art and Design hosts four research groups that collaborate on research projects and publications. Each group includes supervisors, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and doctoral researchers. Research in the faculty broadly addresses design, visual art, and media. Doctoral students are part of a multidisciplinary and internationally networked research community. The Art Education research group is Northern Art, Community and Environment (NACER).

Your duties include

A professor is expected to conduct and supervise research, provide research-based teaching, monitor developments in the field, and participate in societal interaction and international cooperation.

The appointee will advance art teacher education and research in art education. Responsibilities include leading the academic discipline of Art Education; conducting and publishing research; preparing and managing externally funded research and development projects; supervising theses and doctoral research; and engaging in international collaboration.

Teaching responsibilities include undergraduate and doctoral education within the faculty and, where appropriate, in joint doctoral programmes. The appointee will supervise theses within the NACER research group.

The position requires strong commitment to the faculty’s academic and artistic community and active contribution to its development. The appointee is expected to strengthen and develop the research profile of Art Education in alignment with the faculty’s broader research agenda.

The appointee will also participate in administrative duties and other activities within the faculty.

We offer

• interesting work tasks as part of an international university community
• modern work equipment and facilities
• a stable organisation to work in
• opportunities for professional development
• extensive occupational health services
• sport, culture and wellbeing benefits.

We expect

Applicants must have the education, experience, and language skills required to perform the duties of the position successfully. Language requirements in Finnish and Swedish are defined in the Government Decree on Universities.Teaching and research staff must have proficiency in the language of instruction. The primary language of instruction at the University of Lapland is Finnish; however, instruction may also be provided in other languages. In this position, the primary language of instruction is Finnish, and proficiency in English is also required.

Completed pedagogical studies are considered an advantage when assessing candidates for a permanent professorship.

For a professorship (level 3), the assessment is based on the following criteria: a doctoral degree; high-level academic competence; experience in leading research; ability to provide high-quality research-based teaching; experience in supervising theses; and demonstrated international collaboration.

The evaluation considers: scientific and/or artistic publications; other research outputs of academic or artistic merit; artistic achievements where relevant; teaching experience and pedagogical training; ability to produce learning materials; other educational merits; teaching demonstrations where required; and experience in supervising doctoral dissertations.

Additional merits include success in acquiring competitive research funding; societal engagement; active participation in the academic and/or artistic community; relevant practical expertise; international research experience; and international assignments.

For an Associate Professorship (level 2), candidates must hold a relevant doctoral degree and demonstrate research competence and teaching skills appropriate for the position. Experience in leading research groups and acquiring external funding is required. An Associate Professorship is filled for a fixed term of five years. Before the end of the term, an evaluation will be conducted to assess eligibility for promotion to a full professorship.

The position requires expertise in the pedagogy, theory, practice, and research of Art Education, as well as knowledge of art teacher education. The appointee must demonstrate advanced practical expertise in the field through research, publications, teaching experience, artistic activity, and other professional merits. Experience in, or interest in, northern and Arctic contexts in art education is considered an advantage.

Detailed information about the duties and requirements of the position is available in the appointment plan (tehtäväntäyttösuunnitelma) and Tenure track career path model.

Application

The documents (in English) to be attached to the application:

1. The application letter, an account of the noteworthy merits and activities in view of the position (1–3 pages)
2. A CV written in accordance with the instructions of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity at https://tenk.fi/sites/default/files/2021-06/TENK_CV_template_2020.pdf
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. Indicate 10 of your most important publications with links to them. If there are no links, attach them as separate PDF file.
5. A field-related development plan concerning research, teaching, and societal interaction (max. 3 pages)
6. Authenticated degree and work certificates qualifying you for the job.
7. Other documents through which you demonstrate your practical knowledge related to the position.

Further information on the position

Teaching demonstration and interview

Having received the assessor statements, the selection committee appointed by the Faculty Council will decide whether to invite some of the applicants to give a demonstration lecture. At this point, it is possible that the invited applicants are interviewed by the committee. The applicant will be notified of a potential interview in connection with the demonstration lecture invitation.

For further information on the position, please contact (firstname.lastname@ulapland.fi).

Satu Miettinen, Dean, by May 29th, 2026
Susanna Vuorjoki, Head of Administration (recruitment process) by May 29th, 2026.


Workplace address: Yliopistonkatu 8, 96300 ROVANIEMI
Duration of employment: from 1.2.2027
Work hours: full-time employment
Trial period: 6 months
Salary: €5,354–7,889 starting salary of the Professor. In addition, a personal performance-based salary component is paid, amounting up to 50% of the task-specific salary component.The university’s salary system is based on the requirements of the task and personal performance. The position of the Professor adheres to requirement levels 8–11 of the university salary system for teaching and research staff. .

The position of Associate Professor adheres to requirement level 7. The university pays the Associate Professor a requirement-based supplement in accordance with the collective agreement. The amount of the supplement is 50% of the salary difference between the requirement level of the position and the following requirement level. The starting salary of the Associate Professor is €4,891. In addition, a personal performance-based salary component is paid, amounting up to 50% of the task-specific salary component.