Professor in Material Science of Functional Materials in Smart Material Structures

Academic Positions; Finland; On-site; EUR 51,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday bonus

Generous holiday entitlement

Research incentive scheme

Flexible working hours

Occupational health care

Collegial work environment

Job summary

LUT University seeks an Assistant/Associate Professor in Material Science of Functional Materials in Smart Material Structures. The position is based in Lappeenranta or Lahti, Finland, within LUT School of Engineering Sciences, Department of Physics.

It involves research leadership, education duties, and international collaboration in an open tenure-track process over four years. The salary per year follows Finnish university scales.

Qualifications

• Strong academic expertise in materials science, particularly functional materials.
• Experience in research leadership and international collaboration is desirable.
• Experience with teaching and education development in an academic setting.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and publish international research in functional materials and smart structures.
• Lead research projects and seek external funding; collaborate with academics and industry.
• Contribute to teaching and curriculum development in the Department of Physics.

Skills

Materials science

Functional materials

Smart material structures

Device design

Additive manufacturing

Education

PhD in materials science or related field

Job description

Organisation/Company LUT University Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering Engineering » Other Physics » Applied physics Physics » Other Technology » Nanotechnology Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 8 Nov 2026 - 21:59 (UTC) Country Finland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Assistant/Associate Professor in Material Science of Functional Materials in Smart Material Structures

Are you interested in advancing materials science research on functional materials and smart material structures? This position offers the opportunity to conduct research on functional materials, device design and fabrication, and smart material structures while contributing to education and research development in an international academic environment.

The professorship of material science of functional materials in smart material structures is located at the Department of Physics of the LUT School of Engineering Sciences. The position is based in Lappeenranta or Lahti, Finland.

The mission of the Department of Physics is to provide expertise in material physics, measurement technologies, nanotechnology, experimental physics instrumentation, and data analysis.

What we expect from you

The professorship will strengthen research and education in material science of functional materials in smart material structures. Applicants must demonstrate strong academic expertise in materials science, particularly functional materials.

The professorship covers areas such as:

• Materials science of functional materials, particularly magnetic shape memory alloys
• Magnetocaloric materials
• Smart material structures, especially micro-scale devices
• Additive manufacturing of metallic materials
• Laser ablation micromachining of metallic materials

The successful candidate should have strong expertise in the design, fabrication, and characterisation of devices based on functional materials. Broad competence in the areas listed above is considered an advantage.

The person appointed to the position is expected to conduct and publish international research, acquire competitive research funding, initiate and lead research projects, and develop research collaboration with academic institutions and industry partners. Proven experience in research project management, multidisciplinary collaboration, and international networking is essential. Experience in leading a research group is considered an advantage.

Applicants must have research and teaching merits, proof of effective research and external funding acquisition, and international experience. Spoken and written fluency in English is required.

Practical experience in the field is not required, but it is considered an advantage. Applicants should demonstrate their willingness to collaborate with industry.

You will join an international research environment at LUT University and contribute to research and education in materials science and functional materials. The position provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, international networking, research leadership, and career development.

The position is situated at the assistant or associate professor level of the tenure track and will be filled through an open application process for a fixed term of four years. A six-month trial period applies. The tenure track offers a possibility to advance towards a full professorship subject to successful performance and promotion reviews.

The salary is determined according to the salary system for university teaching and research personnel. The pay will include an individual pay component based on performance and competence. The gross annual salary for an associate professor is approximately 68,000 euros, and that of an assistant professor, ranges from 50,500 to 59,000 euros, depending on qualifications and experience.

In addition to a competitive salary, the job comes with a wide range of benefits, including a holiday bonus, a generous holiday entitlement, a research incentive scheme with personal rewards for high-quality publications, flexible working hours, occupational health care, a collegial work environment, and continued commitment to your support, learning, training, and development.

For further information about the position, please contact Panja Luukka, professor and head of the Department of Physics, either by phone [phone]) or email ( [e-mail] ).

LUT University | LUT University seeks solutions to global issues with its expertise in technology, business, and social sciences. LUT is a trailblazer in promoting the energy transition and the regenerative use of natural resources and helps build resilient communities, industry, and businesses through data, research, and education. LUT's campuses are in Lappeenranta and Lahti, Finland, but its impact is global. Lut.fi/en