The Department of Computer Science at Aalto University - in the top-20 young universities worldwide - invites applications for tenure-track positions at the Assistant Professor level. We are looking for early-career behavioral and social scientists with a strong track record in computer science to support our Engineering Psychology and Information Networks programs.

Women and others underrepresented in computer science are especially encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be early-career and demonstrate excellent research potential in addition to teaching ability. Our department is committed to fostering an inclusive environment with diverse faculty members. We are the first department in Finland with a Vice-Head specifically focusing on diversity. The position has a competitive salary as well as a competitive start-up package. The contract includes occupational health benefits. Relocation services are also available for people coming from abroad. 

These unique assistant professorship positions are sought as the Department of Computer Science leads a new Engineering Psychology BSc Major started during fall 2022. Correspondingly, we have been a home for the Information Networks BSc and MSc programs for over two decades. Depending on the excellence of the applicants, we expect to hire one or more new professors. Engineering Psychology educates engineers with knowledge and skills to apply psychology in real-world problems involving technology. Information Networks educate socially aware engineers skilled in software and digital technology who can innovate new sustainable innovations and businesses. Our graduates comprehend societal complexities in technological development and the related ethical, sustainability, and value-based concerns.

The Department of Computer Science is an internationally oriented professional academic department and home to world-class research in modern computer science, combining research on foundations and innovative applications. With 46 professors and more than 400 employees from 50 countries, it is the largest department at Aalto University and the largest computer science unit in Finland. 

Outstanding prospective candidates at the rank of full professor only are asked to contact the Head of Department Janne Lindqvist directly at HoD-cs (please include the at sign here) aalto.fi. Please include in your email your full academic CV and a brief motivation letter about why you are interested in CS at Aalto, and how you could be one of the key persons in the future of our Engineering Psychology or Information Networks programs. Please also cc: HR Partner Laura Kuusisto-Noponen at firstname.lastname@aalto.fi. We may return to only outstanding full professor candidates.

Requirements and Process 

Candidates applying to this call are considered for Assistant Professor positions only. Applicants are required to have a doctoral degree in behavioral, social sciences (e.g., social psychology, cultural anthropology, social anthropology, sociology, economics) or psychological sciences (such as psychology, cognitive psychology, cognitive science, social psychology) or a related field. Those candidates who have not received their doctoral degrees yet are expected to obtain the degree no later than August 31, 2024. The applicants are expected to contribute to either the Engineering Psychology BSc Major or the Information Networks BSc and MSc programs. Evidence of high-quality research in the field of Computer Science is expected (shown e.g. by CS Rankings ranked publications). 

The applicants will be reviewed based on their research achievements in relation to their career stage, their teaching merits and activity in the scientific community; recommendation letters will also be taken into consideration. Short-listed applicants will be invited to present and discuss their research with faculty. Evaluation at the Assistant Professor level follows the tenure track system at Aalto University and is mainly based on research merits as well as the applicant’s potential. A person at any level of the tenure track system is expected to perform world‐class research, to teach, advise and otherwise advance both graduate and undergraduate education, to be an active member of the international scientific community, and to exhibit academic leadership. Career advances on the tenure track are based on scheduled performance assessments, which take into account the candidate’s merits in all these areas.

Please observe that we welcome applications from candidates who can teach in English, Finnish or Swedish.

How to Apply 

Applications must be submitted electronically through the Apply now! link below. 

Applications will close on Wednesday February 7, 2024 at 23:59 EET (UTC+2). The submitted application materials must be in English and must include the following attachments in PDF format: 

1. cover letter including a summary of merits and most important achievements, 
2. curriculum vitae
3. research statement (recommended length: four pages), 
4. teaching statement (recommended length: four pages). The teaching statement should include a brief plan of teaching basic courses in psychology for the Engineering Psychology BSc major or courses for the Information Networks programs.
5. list of publications with no more than five of them clearly highlighted as most important. 

In addition to the above attachments, in the application form, you are required to submit names, positions, affiliations and e-mail addresses of four to five referees available to provide recommendation letters. We will contact the referees directly right after the application period closes in order to solicit the recommendation letters. You may want to inform the deadline of February 28, 2024 to your referees already beforehand.

Further Information

Please contact the faculty search chair Professor Lauri Savioja or in recruitment process related questions HR Partner Laura Kuusisto-Noponen; emails firstname.lastname@aalto.fi.

Why Aalto University & Finland?

We offer competitive salaries and start-up packages to new faculty. The contract includes occupational health benefits. Aalto University offers assistance with the relocation process for applicants selected to tenure track positions, including finding housing and daycare or schools. In addition to world-class research at the Department of Computer Science, Aalto University has six schools with 13 000 students and 400 professors committed to building both foundations and innovative applications that shape the future through science, technology, art, and business. There are also excellent opportunities for collaboration with local partners at both Aalto University and the University of Helsinki. 

In addition to its strong academic community, the Helsinki region is a vibrant technology and innovation hub with easy access to major partners, both private and public. The Department of Computer Science is located at the main Otaniemi Campus of Aalto University, 15 minutes from the center of Helsinki by metro. The Helsinki International Airport (HEL) is one of the air traffic hubs between Europe and Asia, with direct flights to a large number of destinations on both continents. Virtual campus tour at the Aalto University campus and more information about Helsinki. 

Finland tops international rankings in education, equality, safety, and quality of life. Finland is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world; design, creativity, and startup culture are also important. Finland currently ranks at the top of venture capital investments relative to GDP in Europe. Finland is a great place for living, with or without family. It is a safe, politically stable and well-organized Nordic society, where equality is highly valued and corruption is low. Extensive social security supports people in all situations of life, and Finland’s free high-quality education system is internationally acknowledged. In Finland, a low level of hierarchy is a cultural asset in working life and society. Finland has been repeatedly ranked as the happiest country in the world according to the World Happiness Report.

More information about living in Finland:
https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/why-finland  
https://www.infofinland.fi/en/frontpage 

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