Tenure Track position in Regional Studies

University of Vaasa; Pohjanmaa; On-site; EUR 52 000 - 90 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent Finnish university is seeking applications for a Tenure Track position in Regional Studies. The successful candidate will engage in high-level research and teaching, focusing on regional development, urban management, and public policy. Candidates must possess a relevant doctoral degree and demonstrate strong teaching abilities. The role is based in Vaasa, Finland, offering competitive salaries and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Extensive occupational health care services

Support for career development

Qualifications

• PhD in regional studies, geography or related field is mandatory.
• Experience in acquiring external funding is a plus.
• Proven potential for outstanding research and teaching.

Responsibilities

• Lead research in place-based regional development and policy.
• Teach and supervise bachelor and master-level courses.
• Participate in doctoral program instruction.

Skills

Research experience in regional studies

Teaching experience in public policy and management

Experience in societal interaction

Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods

Education

Relevant doctoral degree (regional studies, geography, or related)

Job description

Overview

The University of Vaasa creates an inspiring environment for meaningful work as part of a thriving and diverse university community. Our open-minded, multidisciplinary research responds to the challenges of our time and creates a more responsible future. Our internationally respected education gives students the skills and attitude to change tomorrow. The core of our university is made up of high-level expertise in business studies, technology, and administration and communication sciences. Scientifically grounded research is complemented by our phenomenon-oriented research platforms.

We are inviting applications for a Tenure Track position in Regional Studies. The position will be filled either as a fixed-term Assistant Professor or Associate Professor position within the Tenure track system, or as a permanent Professor position. The level is determined by the applicant's merits and career stage.

Job description and requirements

The field of activity is regional studies. The research profile is closely linked to the University of Vaasa's regional studies subject area, which focuses on place-based regional development and regional innovation policy research. Regional development issues are examined in a multi-faceted manner in relation to a multi-level (international, national, regional, and local), multi-actor, and systemic operational environment.

Areas of specialization and interest may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• place-based regional development and policy
• sustainable urban development
• change agency and management of urban and regional development
• regional resilience and/or preparedness
• regional innovation policy and its transformation
• place-based management of complex transitions
• digitalization and new technologies in urban and regional development
• cross-border cooperation and/or other cooperation models in regional development

The ideal research profile strengthens and complements the focus areas of the Public Policy and Governance research group, particularly in the field of regional studies. The research related to the position is also linked to the University of Vaasa's strategic focus areas of business renewal, energy transition and societal transformation. Applicants must describe in their research plan how their plan relates to the research group and the strategy of the University of Vaasa.

We value experience in societal interaction in research and teaching, evidence of external funding acquisition (considering career stage), and diverse methodological expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods. Teaching experience in the above-mentioned themes is considered an advantage.

Applicants are required to have a relevant doctoral degree (regional studies, geography, or other related field) as well as excellent academic credentials, evidence of potential to produce outstanding research, and evidence of high-quality teaching or potential to do so. The tenure track position is research-oriented, but also includes teaching, thesis supervision, applying external funding for research projects, and university administrative duties. The teaching and supervision duties are focused on the bachelor's and master's programs in administrative sciences, particularly in the field of public policy and management, where teaching and supervision are mainly provided in Finnish. However, some courses are also taught in English. In addition, the applicant will participate in supervision and teaching under the university's doctoral program.

In the position of Professor, practical non-academic experience in the field is not required but can be considered beneficial.

The annual working time is 1612 hours based on the general collective agreement for Finnish universities and tasks are agreed in more detail in the Annual Work Plan.

Salary and benefits

We are a truly international community of 5500 students and 650 staff members. We work in a unique environment at our maritime campus, with state of the art research laboratories and teaching facilities, located only a short walk away from the Vaasa city centre.

We invest in our employees' well-being and offer extensive occupational health care services, fitness and culture benefits, and a multitude of other activities to support well-being at work. Our flexible working hours and work options such as blended home/campus working contribute to a great work-life balance. Our commitment to support the career development of our personnel is visible in the broad offering of training and competence development opportunities.

The salary is based on both the job requirement and the employee’s personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System (YPJ). The annual starting salary (incl. holiday contributions) is approximately

• Assistant Professor: €52,800 - € 57,100
• Associate Professor: €60,800 - € 65,800
• Professor: €73,600 - € 89,700

Each University of Vaasa employee automatically belongs to a pension scheme and the majority part of the pension contributions is paid by the employer. We also have a versatile reward system in use. If you are moving to Finland from abroad, relocation services are available.

Applications

Applications are submitted using the University of Vaasa's electronic recruitment system (www.uwasa.fi/openings). In order for applications to be processed, the application form must be filled out and the enclosures listed below must be attached to it. The application period is open until midnight (Finnish time, EEST) October 19th, 2025.

• Attachments in English:
• Curriculum vitae
• List of publications
• Research plan (max 5 pages): the research plan should detail the ways in which the candidate would direct their research from the perspective of their own discipline towards the focus of the position described in this call for applications and the strategic focus of the University of Vaasa’s research. The plan must include a description of the phenomena concerned, the perspective on the applicant's own subject and the added-value to be realized from analyzing the phenomena as well as possible partners. lt is beneficial if the plan also includes potential sources of external financing (programs or similar) and a publication plan.
• Teaching portfolio (complementary to the teaching merits listed in the CV)

2. In addition, numbered according to the publication categories in the list of publications:

• Copies of no more than 10 publications that the applicant wishes to be taken into account when evaluating their competence and qualifications. The publications can, if needed, be merged into a maximum of 7 pdf-files.

Further information

• The position is located in Vaasa, Finland.
• Starting date: August 2026 or as agreed.
• The appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a trial period of 6 months.
• More information about the position:
• Dean Adam Smale, School of Management, tel. [phone]
• Email: firstname.surname (a) uwasa.fi
• Enquiries about the online application system: careers (a) uwasa.fi

The University of Vaasa is located on the West coast of Finland at the heart of one of the most thriving regions in Finland and the Nordic countries’ largest energy technology hub. The University of Vaasa is a valued partner in the hub, and well positioned to interact actively with the surrounding society – internationally and nationally. More information about working with us:

• https://www.uwasa.fi/en/open-positions
• University of Vaasa's international rankings and accreditations
• For new international employees at the University of Vaasa
• living in Vaasa: Vaasan kaupunki | Vasa stad | City of Vaasa
• living in Finland:thisisFINLAND