"TENURE TRACK ASSISTANT / ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN BIOPROCESS TECHNOLOGIES IN AGRICULTURE"

The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry invites applications for the position of TENURE TRACK ASSISTANT / ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN BIOPROCESS TECHNOLOGIES IN AGRICULTURE from 1.9.2026 onwards or as agreed. The position may be filled as a tenure track assistant professor or tenure track associate professor depending on the candidate’s merits and career stage. Information about our tenure track system: University of Helsinki tenure track. The goal of the tenure track is to advance to a permanent professor position.

The appointee is expected to possess a broad and in-depth understanding of technologies based on bioprocesses in agriculture, together with demonstrated expertise in applying these technologies as part of a sustainable future food system. The appointee must have comprehensive knowledge in bioprocess methods, including fermentation, anaerobic digestion, enzymatic processing, and other biomass conversion technologies. Merit will be given to candidates who demonstrate a systemic approach and expertise in applying these technologies to the utilization of agricultural side and surplus biomass, as well as in the development of new cultivation, production, and post-harvest methods or renewable energy production, with due consideration of environmental impacts.

The research conducted by the Associate/Assistant Professor is expected to advance integrative and multidisciplinary technological methods and solutions that enhance the profitability and sustainability of food production. Candidates must have verifiable experience in independent research in at least one of the following thematic areas:

1. utilization of bioprocess technologies for the valorization of agricultural side streams and other biomass (for example, the production of novel industrially relevant biomaterials, bio-based inputs such as recycled fertilizers, biopesticides, food and feed ingredients, or renewable energy)
2. development of new cultivation, production, and post-harvest technologies based on bioprocesses
3. methodological development of smart bioprocess technologies and systems in agriculture

Proficiency and research experience across multiple thematic areas will be considered an advantage. As this is a new position within the Faculty, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to establish a pioneering research and education pathway that is nationally and internationally distinctive at the University of Helsinki.

The appointee will contribute to teaching in agricultural bioprocess technology and related topics within the Bachelor’s and Master’s Programmes in Agricultural Sciences, as well as in the Master's Programme in Technologies for Sustainable Use of Renewable Resources (link). The appointee will also supervise theses within these programmes and provide discipline-specific training in relevant doctoral programmes. The appointee participates in the development of teaching at the faculty and is also expected to work in the management teams of the degree programmes.

REQUIREMENTS

An appointee to the position of assistant professor or associate professor in the tenure track system shall have

• a doctoral degree
• the ability to conduct independent scholarly work
• the teaching skills required for the position
• the ability and motivation to pursue an academic career, as demonstrated by publications and other means

The degree requirement (doctoral degree) must be met by the end of the application period.

When considering the candidates’ qualifications, attention shall be given to scientific and teaching merits. In addition, the candidates’ leadership and interaction skills, as well as activity in the scientific community and public engagement shall also be taken into account.

WHAT WE OFFER

The assistant/associate professor’s salary will be on level 7 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal work performance. Annual gross salary for an assistant professor amounts to approximately 55,000–63,000 euros, and for an associate professor to approximately 60,000–70,000 euros depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications a SINGLE PDF file that includes the following documents in English:

1. CV
2. A short motivation letter and report on how the applicant intends to develop his or her research and focus his or her activities, if appointed (1-2 pages)
3. Report on the applicant’s research activities (including activities in scientific communities, the acquisition of research funding and international scholarly work) (max. 5 pages)
4. A numbered list of publications
5. A report on pedagogical expertise (see the instructions via the link below under University portfolio – Teaching and supervision)

For more detailed instructions on the application documents, please see link.

Applications with the above attachments must be submitted in a single PDF file, which is named: bioprocess agriculture_lastname_firstname. Other attachments are not required.

The closing date for applications is 26.1.2026 at 23:59 EEST.

FURTHER INFORMATION

• About the position: Professor Pekka Uimari, pekka.uimari@helsinki.fi, tel. +358 294158383
• Recruitment process and the recruitment system: HR Specialist Mirkka Juntunen, mirkka.juntunen@helsinki.fi, tel. +358 294157583