Professor or Associate Professor (Level 2) in Cell Biology

Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU) is an internationally acknowledged research university with an extensive responsibility for providing education in Swedish in Finland. The Faculty of Science and Engineering develops solutions and processes for a sustainable society. Our research is done in cooperation with the industry, research institutes and other universities both in Finland and abroad.

Åbo Akademi University invites applications for the position as Professor or Associate Professor (Level 2) in Cell Biology at the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FNT), starting 1 January 2025 or by separate agreement. The location of work is Turku.

The position is part of the study programme in Biosciences. The subject cluster Biochemistry and Cell Biology offers education in biosciences in close collaboration with the subjects Pharmacy, Chemistry and Information Technology. The subject of Cell Biology contributes to the education on Bachelor level in the study programme in Bioscience with Cell and Molecular Biosciences as main subject, the teacher’s line in Biology and the Master's Programme in Biosciences with the main subjects Biochemistry and Cell Biology.

The research focus areas of the Biochemistry and Cell Biology cluster are cell signalling, cell stress, inflammatory states, tissue damage, tissue regeneration and degeneration, development of modern methods for cell visualization, structural bioinformatics, experimental structural biology, membrane and lipid biochemistry. The research is basic research related to e.g. cancer, infection and inflammatory diseases. The position supports Åbo Akademi University's strategic research profile Solutions for Health and the Research Council of Finland's flagship InFLAMES (Innovation Ecosystem Based on the Immune System), a joint effort of Åbo Akademi University and University of Turku. InFLAMES' objectives are to perform international immunological research and development to produce break-through knowledge on immunological diseases and identify new targets for diagnostics and medical treatment of acute and long-term immunological diseases.

The recruitment is executed within the ÅAU tenure track system. If appointed as Professor, the employment will be permanent. A person holding a tenure track position on level two as Associate Professor is employed on a fixed-term contract for four years. A successful evaluation facilitates the advancement from Associate Professor to a permanent position as Professor.

WORK DESCRIPTION AND QUALIFICATIONS
The field of activity for the position is cell signalling. The successful candidate will conduct scientific research and teach in the field of cell biology and develop the activities in accordance with the profile of the subject cluster and based on the overall mission of the degree programme.

In addition to this, the tasks also include obtaining research funding, participating in national, Nordic and international cooperation within the field of responsibility, as well as contributing to the faculty's overall research environment.

The tasks include administrative tasks and leadership responsibilities.

In the Regulations on Personnel at Åbo Akademi University is generally stated a professors duties and tasks. A professor shall carry out and oversee scientific research, provide research-based tuition, follow developments in science, participate in societal interaction, and in national and international cooperation within one’s field of responsibility in accordance with the Universities Act (558/2009).

An Associate Professor within the tenure track system are usually required to contribute to teaching and supervision, no more than one third of the total working time.

In addition to a doctoral degree, Professors at Åbo Akademi University are required to possess solid scientific competence along with the ability to provide qualitative, research-based instruction and supervision, the ability to lead research projects and raise funding for research, experience in international research, and collaborative and leadership skills.

Associate Professors (Level 2) at Åbo Akademi University are required to hold a doctoral degree as well as possess solid experience in research, the potential to lead research groups and raise funding for research, and experience in international research. Moreover, teaching skills are required.

Detailed information about the position, the qualification and evaluation criteria and the recruitment process are found in the appointment plan.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
The language requirements at Åbo Akademi University are defined in Section 78 of the University Act (558/2009) and in § 1 and 2 of the Åbo Akademi University internal language instructions (25.2.2010).

For teaching positions, native Finnish citizens are required to have excellent proficiency in Swedish (written and oral) and sufficient proficiency in Finnish.

Foreigners and non-native Finnish citizens are exempt from the requirement to have knowledge of Swedish and Finnish. Knowledge of Swedish is meritorious. As the administrative and teaching language of the university is primarily Swedish, the person appointed is expected to acquire such knowledge of Swedish during their employment, so that they will be able to successfully participate in teaching in Swedish and administrative tasks in the future. The university offers actively support for learning Swedish.

Applicants that have not yet a certificate of their Swedish language skills can demonstrate their skills and, if necessary, take a language test arranged by the ÅAU Language Board. Please see instructions regarding demonstration of (Swedish) language skills (in Swedish).

Oral and written knowledge of English is necessary for managing the duties of the position successfully.

SALARY AND WORKING TIME
The salary for Professors is set on levels 8-11 and for Associate Professors (Level 2) on levels 6-7 of the job demand level for teaching and research staff in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid. Salary chart for teaching and research staff.

APPLICATION
Submit your electronic application via the ÅAU recruitment system. The closing date for applications is on 6.5.2024 at 15:00 (EEST, Finnish time zone). Please see guidelines on the electronic application.

The application should include the following enclosures in English:

1. An application letter (max. 1 page).
2. A curriculum vitae (CV) in compliance with the TENK model (The Finnish National Board on Research Integrity), including a complete list of publications (please see guidelines).
3. A separate list of no more than 10 publications that the applicant has chosen to demonstrate their competence. The list should include a brief justification for the choice of publications, as well as information about the applicant’s contribution in the case of co-publication. The publications should be available electronically. The applicant will provide links to the publications in the list of publications or upload them to a separate system for file transfer.
4. A teaching portfolio (please see guidelines).
5. A research plan (max. 3 pages).
6. A description of the applicant’s view on the position applied for, i.e. how the applicant plans to carry out the duties of the position successfully and develop the subject (max. 2 pages).
7. Copies of Doctor’s degree certificate and language certificates.
8. Contact details to three referees, whom the recruitment committee may contact if necessary.

INFORMATION
For further information regarding the position, please contact Professor Tiina Salminen (tiina.salminen[a]abo.fi) or regarding the recruitment process HR Specialist Sabina Ringvall (sabina.ringvall[a]abo.fi).

Åbo Akademi University works actively for an even gender distribution and increased diversity in all staff groups.