Aalto University is a dynamic community that brings together the realms of science, art, technology, and business. We are dedicated to identifying and addressing significant societal challenges while fostering innovation for a better future. With six schools, over 11,000 students, and a staff of more than 4,000 (including 400 professors), Aalto University thrives on collaboration and multidisciplinary approaches. Our campus is situated in Otaniemi, approximately 10 km west of Helsinki city centre in Finland. We value diversity as an integral part of our identity and actively strive to ensure inclusivity within our community. As such, we warmly welcome qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join us in our pursuit of excellence.
The Department of Built Environment seeks practical solutions to address the needs of a society that requires sustainable asset management, efficient water and waste management, sufficient water resources, reliable and safe transportation, and accurate geographic data. Through intelligent spatial planning, we aim to create built environments that effectively meet the requirements of habitation, business, and mobility.
We invite applications for the position of
Tenure Track Assistant or Associate Professor position in Water quality
We are seeking ambitious and enthusiastic individuals for a full-time tenure track position in the field of
freshwater quality and its management in natural and anthropogenic environments, within the water and environmental engineering discipline. This Assistant or Associate Professor position will be part of the Aalto University tenure track system:
https://www.aalto.fi/en/tenure-track/tenure-track-career-path.
The position
The position is open in the Aalto University’s
Water and environmental engineering research group, Department of Built Environment under the School of Engineering. Our goal is to find solutions to tackle environmental degradation, resource scarcity, and ensure a more sustainable future. The group's research and teaching focus on water and development, water governance, water resources management, environmental hydraulics, and water and wastewater engineering. We have state-of-the-art research infrastructure, including high-grade water quality and environmental hydraulics laboratories staffed by professionals.
We are looking for an ambitious professional to contribute to ground-breaking academic work in the field of freshwater quality. This position aims to strengthen our research and education in response to the growing challenges posed by anthropogenic changes in watersheds, urbanisation, environmental degradation, changing climate, and environmental pollution - especially in northern conditions.
Requirements
A doctoral degree in water resources management, environmental engineering, physical geography, or a related field is a prerequisite for the position. Well-demonstrated collaboration skills and an excellent command of English are essential. The evaluation of applicants will be based on their current and potential excellence in scientific research and teaching. For associate professor positions, more emphasis will be placed on current excellence whereas for assistant professor positions, more emphasis will be on future potential. Additionally, the applicant's involvement with national and global stakeholders and the international science community will be considered.
A candidate should have a strong background in freshwater quality related research. This expertise should include one or more of the following areas: advanced water quality monitoring techniques (e.g., remote sensing and sensor technologies), computational modelling and simulation of water quality processes, environmental impact assessment (EIA) and policy integration, and/or solutions for water quality changes in response to anthropogenic drivers.
Interdisciplinary research skills, teaching experience, pedagogical studies, student supervision, roles, and cooperation with industry and public sector are considered as merits. Scientific awards and recognitions, along with experience in acquiring and applying for funding, preferably academic competitive funding, are considered important advantages.
Expectations
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Continue the high-quality research in one or more areas within the broader theme of freshwater quality in water and environmental engineering settings.
- Contribute to teaching in the following areas at bachelor, master's and doctoral levels: water quality in natural and modified environments, water quality with related chemical, biological, ecological, and hydrological processes, water quality engineering, environmental impact assessment (EIA), ecohydrology and watershed management, and advanced water quality monitoring and modelling techniques.
- Initiate research projects on water quality, such as impacts of nutrient and pollutant loads to surface and ground waters, micropollutants in storm waters, and anthropogenic change induced water quality changes and influence on freshwater resources
- Lead their own research team, educate doctoral students, and produce high-quality research that can be published in peer-reviewed journals.
- Disseminate research results and contribute to the progress of the school (i.e., faculty) and department, enhance its international visibility, and engage with the society.
- Be willing and able to collaborate with different stakeholders, including public sector organizations and industry, as well as colleagues both at Aalto University and across the global community. Existing networks will be viewed positively during the applicant review process.
What we offer
Aalto University offers the opportunity to work within a well-resourced learning community where students are rigorously selected and highly motivated. According to our strategy, Aalto University aims to shape a sustainable future through research-based knowledge, creativity, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Our values are responsibility, courage, and collaboration.
Salary will be defined according to Aalto University's payroll system, considering the applicant's experience and qualifications. A salary request can also be provided. In addition to the salary, Aalto University provides its employees with occupational healthcare services and retirement benefits. Also, a starting package can be negotiated with the Dean.
Finland offers a safe and healthy environment for living, with excellent state-subsidized services including affordable day care, healthcare, and free schools that are ranked among the best in the world. Finland has been ranked as the happiest country in the world for seven consecutive years. Further, we are one of the world's most reliable and stable nations, with a high level of safety. With significant investments in R&D, a strong innovation culture, open data, and advanced digitalization, Finland is a nation of innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Nordic values of equality and cooperation are deeply rooted in our society. Gender equality, flexibility, and low hierarchy form the core of our Nordic working environment. For more information about living and working in Finland, please visit:
https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/for-international-staff.
Ready to apply?
If you want to join our community, please submit your application through our recruitment system by January 19th, 2025.
(If you are already an employee at Aalto, please apply via our internal system Workday -> Find Jobs. Please use your existing Workday user account.)
The application material for the position must consist of the following documents:
- Cover letter - addressed to Dean of the School of Engineering, including a summary of merits, most important achievements, motivation for this position, as well as their own justification for the level of the position (assistant or associate level) (max 2 pages)
- Curriculum vitae - following the structure given by Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity: https://tenk.fi/en/advice-and-materials/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae). CV should include: i) applicant’s contact information, ii) complete list of publications (with up to ten most important publications marked), iii) a brief statement of the applicant’s role in the three most significant publications attached to the proposal, and iv) names and contact information of 3 referees
- Research portfolio - including short summary of the ongoing research as well as a plan for future research in the position (3-5 pages)
- Teaching statement - summarising the applicant’s approach to teaching and learning, previous teaching experience, and previous activities related to curriculum development (1-2 pages)
- Three most significant publications as full text pdf, authored or co-authored by the applicant (please provide as one combined pdf)
All material should be submitted in English. Applications, consisting of the required application material listed above, must be submitted online through the electronic recruitment system of Aalto University
no later than 19.1.2025 (before midnight Finnish time).
A link to the recruitment system can be found at the end of this job advertisement via the text “Apply now”. The general instructions and evaluation criteria for applicants, including language requirements and guidelines for compiling the application material, are given online as well:
https://www.aalto.fi/en/tenure-track/interested-in-joining-our-tenure-track.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a teaching portfolio at a later stage in the recruitment process. Aalto University will use external reviewers to support the evaluation of applicants during the recruitment process. Based on the application materials and external evaluations, the Departmental Committee will select the most suitable applicants to visit the Department of Built Environment and deliver teaching demonstrations - the one-day site visit is tentatively scheduled for April 23-25, 2025.
For more Information
For additional information, please contact Professor Matti Kummu, matti.kummu@aalto.fi. For questions related to the recruitment process, please contact HR Partner Sanni Mero, sanni.mero@aalto.fi.
Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open or extend the application period.
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Tenure track in Aalto University
The tenure track is open to talented individuals who have excellent potential for a scientific career. Individuals placed on the Aalto University professorial tenure track have the possibility to advance in their career through regular performance assessments, which take into account their merits in all areas of their scope of duty. Launched only in 2010, the tenure track has attracted a wide range of international applicants, giving Aalto University the possibility of recruiting top experts and young research talent to join the Aalto University community.
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