Tenure Track Assistant or Associate Professor in life course epidemiology

We are now looking for an

Assistant or Associate Professor in Life Course Epidemiology

to join us in the HEALTH-DIMENSIONS research programme at the University of Oulu (Finland).

Located on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia in Northern Finland, the University of Oulu is one of the Nordic countries' largest universities and is a global leader in studies of lifelong health and longitudinal cohort studies.

We are now looking for a tenure track assistant or associate professor in the research programme "Multidimensional Big Data and Life-Course Health: from Molecules to Society" (HEALTH-DIMENSIONS). The programme forms part of our national profiling actions funded by the Research Council of Finland. HEALTH-DIMENSIONS is an interdisciplinary research programme led by the Faculties of Medicine and Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. The programme also covers other faculties and strengthens the university's interdisciplinary top research cluster in the prevention of the molecular and societal mechanisms underpinning the patterns of multimorbidity.

About the Job

As an Assistant/Associate Professor in Life-Course Epidemiology, you will:

• Develop and establish a research group to advance methods in Life Course causal and/or longitudinal models to identify the causes and patterns of multimorbidity.
• Collaborate across disciplines (e.g., general practice, public health, health economics, mathematics, biology) to design prevention pathways.
• Develop and sustain research, scholarly, and creative activities leading to academic publications and public-facing outreach initiatives.
• Establish research partnerships across disciplinary boundaries in Finland and internationally.
• Gather competitive funding from external sources to support your research and the aims of the programme.
• Collaborate within the University of Oulu and advance the HEALTH-DIMENSIONS programme with a responsible role to develop its subtheme "Longitudinal Models of Multimorbidity".
• Collaborate at the national and international level.
• Communicate research results to the academic community, social and healthcare systems, other stakeholder groups, and the general public.
• Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate level courses (10% full-time equivalent per year).
• Supervise undergraduate and graduate students.
• Exhibit excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Support the strategic aim to renew the scientific profile of the university and promote multi- and interdisciplinary research approaches.

What We Offer?

We offer you a supportive academic environment in a community of committed scholars, and the possibility to make use of funding opportunities to generate new research ideas and build an innovative programme that will attract international scholars. The University of Oulu offers flexible working hours, an excellent work-life balance, and provides a range of occupational healthcare services. Our competitive salaries include paid leave and an additional holiday bonus in the summer. Read more about working with us and other staff benefits.

This position includes a start-up package that comes with funding for hiring a doctoral researcher. The details of the start-up package will be based on negotiations with appointable candidates. If you are moving from abroad, we offer relocation packages to support your smooth relocation to Oulu. Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and your close ones in settling into Oulu.

Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, an excellent education system, and a competitive economy. Oulu is a city known for its stunning natural surroundings, vibrant cultural life, and friendly, easy-going atmosphere. Residents of Oulu enjoy Finland's high standard of living combined with affordable housing. Read more about living in Oulu.

Who Are You?

We expect you to renew the scientific profile of the University of Oulu. Additionally, we expect an interdisciplinary research vision as well as strong collaboration and networking capabilities.

You Have:

• Expert level knowledge in epidemiology or relevant fields (social epidemiology, clinical psychology, health economics, econometrics, biostatistics, public health).
• Significant research experience in studying the epidemics of non-communicable diseases.
• Deep knowledge and skills in biostatistical modelling.
• Capability to interpret and infer causal and non-causal pathways.
• Experience and interest in the social and biological determinants of health and wellbeing.
• Knowledge in trajectory analyses.
• Teaching experience in epidemiology, biostatistics, or other relevant topics in epidemiology and biomedical data sciences.
• Substantial track records in applying for external funding.
• Experience in collaborative work.

Our tenure track (assistant professor and associate professor) is positioned for exceptionally talented researchers with a high potential to advance in their careers. The top candidates will undergo an evaluation by external, international experts and are required to reach top scores (5-6 on a scale from 1 to 6 for scientific activity and as the overall score) to qualify for the position.

You are expected to hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field, and you are fluent in English. Because this is an interdisciplinary position, depending on the position level, we expect a vision (assistant professor) or demonstrated experience (associate professor) in interdisciplinary approaches in research.

Qualifications for a Tenure Track Assistant Professor Position

You have a doctoral degree in an applicable research field. You must demonstrate the ability to work independently and have proven teaching skills. To be eligible for a position as assistant professor, you must have received your doctoral degree not more than ten years ago (at or later than 2015, excluding career breaks).

Qualifications for a Tenure Track Associate Professor Position

You have a doctoral degree in an applicable research field. You must demonstrate evidence of scholarly research work and relevant teaching skills. You must have the ability to lead research and have experience in acquiring external research funding. We also expect you to have sufficient and relevant experience in international scientific work and evidence of international cooperation.

Salary

Those hired at assistant or associate level will be on tenure track positions with five-year terms at each level. A researcher appointed to a tenure track position has the opportunity to advance systematically through the tenure track career levels towards permanent professorship, provided that the performance criteria are met.

In assistant or associate professor positions, the salary is based on levels 5-7 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. Additionally, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (maximum of 50% of the job-specific component). In EUR terms, the starting salary will likely be between 4000-5800 for an assistant or associate professor. A trial period of 6 months is applied for the position.

How to Apply and Evaluation Process

Interested? If yes, please apply by May 6th, 2025 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

The application should be written in English and include the following:

1. Cover letter, stating the career level on which you would like to be evaluated (assistant professor or associate professor).

2. CV, following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity.

3. Narrative CV, using the given template (more guidelines and information: principles for the assessment of research and researchers at the University of Oulu).

4. List of publications, preferably with DOI identifications, following the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland, with a separate list of ten most important ones for this application.

5. Details regarding acquisition of research funds.

6. Brief account of teaching merits or a teaching portfolio (max 2 pages), including:

   1. Teaching philosophy, teaching strategies, and methods.

   2. Teacher's self-reflection on his/her teaching style, a personal background idea of teaching; how are these reflected in teaching?

   3. A description of oneself as a teacher and an implementer of educational work.

   4. Practical experience in teaching and efforts to improve teaching.

   5. Description of educational material (curricula, handouts, assignments, workbooks).

   6. Professional development as a teacher.

   7. Evaluation of teaching (student evaluations, peer evaluations, awards, and assessed test lectures).

   8. Plans for future directions of teaching in the discipline concerned.

7. A research and action plan, including the applicant's vision on how to renew the field of science in HEALTH-DIMENSIONS (max 3 pages).

8. Contact information of 2-4 persons available for recommendation.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, such as people of different ages, genders, and lingual, cultural, or minority groups.

The selection process follows the University of Oulu recruitment guidelines. The process is carried out by a recruitment committee and the candidates are subjected to publication analyses based on their publication lists. The candidates that are considered most suitable by the recruitment committee will also undergo an expert evaluation assessing the following merits:

• Research activities and their reflection in the candidate's publication record, scientific presentations, and other recognitions, e.g., awards and patents.
• Teaching activities and their evaluation (teaching portfolio; including students' evaluation).
• Supervision of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students.
• Acquisition of competitive research funds.
• International scientific activities (research, keynotes, workshops, conferences) and networks.
• Academic community and administrative services.
• Academic and public relevance of research activities.

The eligible candidates fitting best in the profile expected for the position will be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact the coordinator of HEALTH-DIMENSIONS, Ritva Saastamoinen, ritva.saastamoinen@oulu.fi, +358 50 592 3333 or +358 294 48 5226.

Other contact person: Sylvain Sebert, Professor, Faculty of Medicine, sylvain.sebert@oulu.fi; phone: +358 503440842.