Assistant Professor of Environmental Sciences

Polytechnicpositions; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 65 000 - 75 000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Helsinki is seeking an Assistant Professor of Environmental Sciences to join a leading multidisciplinary team focused on environmental degradation and restoration. The ideal candidate will have a strong academic background with a focus on urban pollution and biodiversity, and contribute to innovative research and teaching initiatives. This role offers a competitive salary, supportive infrastructure, and a vibrant academic environment within a top-tier research university in Finland.

Benefits

Health care services

Access to sports facilities

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Must have a doctoral degree and a proven record of research funding.
• Experience in supervising doctoral and postdoctoral researchers is essential.
• Ability to provide high-quality research-based teaching.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary teams and conduct independent research.
• Develop and teach courses on urban pollution, restoration, and ecotoxicology.
• Engage in international research collaborations.

Skills

Research funding success

Teaching experience

Supervision of researchers

Education

Doctoral degree

Job description

Assistant Professor of Environmental Sciences

University of Helsinki

Finland

The expected starting date for the position is by 1st January 2026 or by mutual agreement.

The successful applicant may be appointed to assistant/associate professorship (tenure track) (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/university/careers-at-the-university-of-helsinki/tenure-track-at-the-university-of-helsinki), or a full professorship depending on the applicant’s qualifications and career stage.

We are seeking an environmental scientist with expertise in ecological and environmental degradation and restoration, including toxification/chemical pollution and restoration of urban environments and their biodiversity effects. Expertise can include ecotoxicology and bioremediation, with an emphasis on addressing scientific challenges related to restoration. Suitable backgrounds include methodologies to assess ecological/environmental quality and restoration, drawing from a broad range of theoretical backgrounds, with a strong emphasis on field and laboratory measurements, preferably in urban settings.

This position will be part of the Diversity in Society and Life (DIVSOL, https://www.helsinki.fi/en/diversity-society-and-life) initiative, led by the Faculty of Arts, involving multiple faculties and institutes. It aims to develop a leading European hub for transdisciplinary research on ethnic, cultural, linguistic, religious, and socio-ecological diversity. The role includes working in and leading multidisciplinary teams, including social sciences, humanities, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Applicants for associate or full professorship must have a doctoral degree, top-level scholarly qualifications, research supervision experience, and a proven record of securing research funding. They should also demonstrate the ability to provide high-quality research-based teaching, supervise theses, and participate in international research collaborations.

Applicants for assistant professorship must have a doctoral degree and demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research, supervise doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, attract funding, and teach effectively. They should also have a plan to develop and teach courses on urban pollution, restoration, and ecotoxicology.

Evaluation will consider scientific publications, teaching experience, pedagogical skills, supervision record, research funding success, international experience, and participation in international organizations. The assessment will be aligned with the applicant’s career stage. The University of Helsinki adheres to the DORA principles (https://sfdora.org).

The starting gross salary is typically 65,000–75,000 euros for assistant/associate professors and 75,000–95,000 euros for full professors, depending on qualifications and career stage. The faculty will also provide a startup package and access to research infrastructure.

The university offers comprehensive services, including health care, sports facilities, and professional development. International staff are supported by the International Staff Services (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/university/working-at-the-university), and Finland provides family-friendly policies, free education, and high-quality healthcare.

The University of Helsinki is a leading multidisciplinary research university with 40,000 students and staff, committed to open science and equal opportunity employment. The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences is Finland’s premier hub for environmental and life sciences, with research focusing on Arctic, marine, freshwater, and urban environments (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-biological-and-environmental-sciences).

Research at the Viikki Campus is supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure and research stations at Tvärminne, Lammi, and Kilpisjärvi.

Application procedure: Applicants should submit the following documents in English via the university’s electronic system:

1. CV
2. A report on previous research activities and external funding (max. 4 pages), including future research plans
3. A report on teaching experience and merits (max. 3 pages)
4. A list of publications and works, highlighting up to 10 key publications with brief explanations

Alternatively, an academic portfolio can be submitted. The application deadline is 17 August 2025. For more information, contact Professor Sirkku Juhola ([e-mail]).

Technical support: [e-mail]. Applicants with a Helsinki.fi account can apply directly through the portal.