Professor or Associate Professor in Mass and Heat Transfer Engineering , Faculty of Technology

Karlstad University; Oulu; On-site; EUR 60 000 - 80 000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned academic institution in Oulu is seeking a Professor or Associate Professor in Mass and Heat Transfer Engineering. The role includes teaching responsibilities and conducting cutting-edge research. Candidates should have a doctoral degree and a proven track record in scientific research and publications. The position offers competitive salary and relocation support. Applications are invited from those who thrive in an interdisciplinary and international academic environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive relocation package

Access to high-quality research facilities

Supportive academic community

Qualifications

• Proven publication record in high-impact journals.
• Experience leading scientific research teams.
• Ability to supervise MSc and doctoral students.

Responsibilities

• Teach and supervise students in Chemical Engineering and related fields.
• Conduct research in Mass and Heat Transfer Engineering.
• Lead the establishment of a research group.

Skills

Fluency in English

Experience in conducting scientific research

Ability to lead research projects

Collaboration with businesses

Education

Doctoral degree in Chemical Engineering or related field

Job description

Overview

Professor or Associate Professor in Mass and Heat Transfer Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Oulu. Oulu life, Good life – Discover the exciting opportunities that await you

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university with about 4000 employees and about 17,000 people in the community. Our northern scientific community operates globally and fosters innovations.

About the job

The ECE unit is a multidisciplinary international research unit with expertise in Chemical Engineering, Industrial Environmental Engineering, Control Engineering, and Inorganic Chemistry. Core competence areas include catalysis, separation processes, modelling, design of sustainable unit operations and processes, and synthesis and characterization of inorganic molecules. We seek an active and forward-looking professor or associate professor in Mass and Heat Transfer Engineering to develop research and education in this field.

As a successful candidate, you are expected to:

• practice and promote teaching and research within Chemical Engineering and Industrial Environmental Engineering with specialization in mass, heat, and momentum transfer, related to separation processes, especially membrane, adsorption, and ion-exchange technologies, and related to non-ideal reactors;
• carry out research in physical and chemical phenomena, materials, and unit operations design and development for chemical and compound separation and purification processes, as well as environmental technologies;
• understand how unit operations, enabling materials/methods, and feedstocks influence the design of the described processes, with emphasis on sustainability, cleantech, and circular economy (energy, material, and process efficiency);
• employ a theoretical and/or experimental scientific approach.

The position offers the opportunity to establish your own research group and participate in timely research and collaboration within several chemical and environmental engineering fields, interdisciplinary and international research environments, and global networks.

What we offer

• Support of an experienced unit of 50 people to share expertise and grow as an expert;
• Access to high-quality research facilities at university, faculty, and unit levels;
• Comprehensive relocation packages for those moving from abroad to support a smooth relocation to Oulu;
• Finland is highly livable with high quality of life, excellent healthcare, safe environment, strong education system, and competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Who are you?

To succeed and enjoy the position, we expect you to have:

As a professor

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field (e.g., chemical, process, or industrial environmental engineering).
• High-level scientific qualifications, e.g., high-impact international research, excellent publication record, supervised theses, and successful funding applications;
• Experience in conducting and leading scientific research;
• Ability to provide high-quality research-based teaching in MSc and doctoral education;
• Experience supervising final theses and doctoral studies;
• Evidence of international cooperation in the field of the open position;
• Ability to act as an Academic Leader;
• Ability to propose national and international research projects and to gain research funding, evidenced by successful applications;
• Experience working abroad and on international networks;
• Fluency in English.

We also appreciate

• Finnish language skills or participation in courses to master basic Finnish;
• Experience in collaboration with businesses and in increasing awareness that serves academia, industries, and society.

As an Associate Professor

• Excellent potential for a successful scientific career. External expert evaluation applies; top scores are required for recruitment. Details on tenure track, entry criteria, and evaluation are available on the careers website.
• Doctoral degree in applicable field (e.g., chemical, process, or industrial environmental engineering);
• Evidence of scientific research work and relevant teaching skills;
• Ability to lead research and secure external funding;
• Experience in international scientific work and cooperation;
• Fluency in English.

We also appreciate

• Finnish language skills or courses to master basic Finnish;
• Experience collaborating with companies and international partners.

Salary and terms

The position is permanent for Professor or fixed-term for five years for Associate Professor, as of 01.01.2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. Salary is based on levels 8-9 (professor) or 6-7 (associate professor) of the Finnish university chart, plus a personal performance component up to 50%. Starting gross salary is approximately 6200-7700 € (professor) or 4400-5600 € (associate professor) per month, before taxes. A 6-month trial period applies.

How to apply

Interested? Please apply by 30.09.2025 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system. The application should be written in English and include:

• Cover letter
• CV following guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
• List of publications following guidelines of the Finnish Research Council (with the ten most important ones marked)
• Brief account of research merits
• Brief account of teaching merits or teaching portfolio
• Details regarding acquisition of research funds
• Brief research and action plan
• Contact information of 2–4 referees

The eligible applicants 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 process.

The selection process follows University of Oulu guidelines. A recruitment committee will evaluate candidates, including merits in scientific activities, teaching, supervision, funding, international activities, services to the academic community, and societal relevance.

Contact information

If you have further questions, please contact

• Dr. Esa Muurinen, Unit Leader, [e-mail], [phone]
• Professor Mika Ruusunen, [e-mail], [phone]
• Secretary of the recruitment committee, Docent Satu Pitkäaho, [e-mail]

Published: 2025-09-10 · Last application date: 2025-09-30