Associate Professor, Education, Arctic Change and Adaptation

The Faculty of Education at the University of Lapland is seeking an Associate Professor (Tenure Track) of Education, especially Arctic Change and Adaptation.

The University of Lapland is a science and art university and inspiring and international work community specializing in research on Arctic and northern change. The three key areas of research are 1) Design and services; 2) Arctic change and adaptation; and 3) Sustainable naturecultures. An interdisciplinary research community (RC) is built around each key areas for an umbrella for research groups, projects and cooperation networks. The position of the Associate Professor is focused on the RC of Arctic Change and Adaptation administrated by the Faculty of Law. The RC brings together scholars to examine multifaceted impacts of rapid Arctic transformations. It actively engages with societal stakeholders and Indigenous communities, promoting ethically grounded, locally relevant, and globally significant research on sustainability, resilience, and adaptation in Arctic contexts.

The position of the Associate Professor focuses on education, learning and pedagogical solutions in the context of social, cultural and ecological change in the Arctic regions. Key areas of expertise include Arctic pedagogy, adaptation to change, and social and cultural sustainability, including the perspectives of Indigenous peoples and local communities. The position is filled for a fixed term of 5 years. Before the end of the fixed term, an evaluation process will be initiated to assess whether the employee meets the qualifications for a professorship.

The Associate Professor is located in the Faculty of Education. The Faculty of Education offers master's degrees in classroom teacher and special education teacher, as well as education (majoring in adult education or education science). The University of Lapland's Teacher Training School operates in connection with the faculty. The faculty's research is focused on understanding and promoting phenomena related to education, teaching and learning as part of global and Arctic change and adaptation to these changes. The cross-cutting research themes are inclusion, equality and equity, and sustainability in education, learning, and teaching. The faculty has two research units, Media Education Hub and the Unit of Gender Studies.

Your duties include

• building and leading own research group as part of the RC of Arctic Change and Adaptation

• applying external competitive research funding for ambitious research projects in the field of Arctic education

• conducting multidisciplinary research related to the field of work and actively publishing in high-quality international journals

• participating in the development of the RCs activities and administrative tasks in close cooperation with the director of the RC and other actors

• participating in the development of international master's programs, Arctic World Politics and Sustainable Naturecultures, and providing research-based teaching (the studies focus on Arctic pedagogy, sustainable naturecultures, perspectives of indigenous peoples and local communities, cultural and ecological sustainability, pedagogical utilization of digital technology and promotion of well-being)

• taking part to the activities, development and administrative tasks of the Faculty of Education.

🎁We offer

• interesting work tasks

• security provided by a stable organization

• modern work tools

• opportunities for professional development

• support from a team of experts

• comprehensive occupational health care

• sports, culture, and wellness benefits.

We expect

According to Section 30 of the University of Laplands Rules of Procedure, the criteria and evaluation procedure for the positions of Assistant Professor and Associate Professor (fixed-term) filled through open application are defined in the Tenure Track career path model approved by the Board. The position of Associate Professor (fixed-term) requires a relevant doctoral degree, evidence of scientific research work, and the teaching skills needed in the position.

The position also requires the ability to conduct high-quality and up-to-date research, to lead a research group, and to obtain external research funding. We expect strong expertise in the field and a vision for its development areas and future.

The Associate Professor is expected to supervise students and theses at all levels. The duties of the Associate Professor also include various institutional tasks.

The position requires proficiency in the English language and either proficiency in Finnish or a strong motivation to learn Finnish.

📨Application

The following documentation must be submitted along with the application:

• A CV according to the model of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK).

• A list of publications according to the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland (list your 10 most important publications and add links to them. If the publications are not available online, add them as separate PDF files).

• A research plan for the five-year period (max. 5 pages).

• A teaching portfolio according to the guidelines of the University of Lapland.

• A motivation letter explaining why you are suitable for the position (12 pages).

Further Information

For more information about the position, please contact Director of the RC Arctic Change and Adaptation, Professor Pigga Keskitalo, firstname.lastname@ulapland.fi or, in matters concerning the recruitment process, contact Administrative Manager Saana Korva firstname.lastname@ulapland.fi.

Job location: Yliopistonkatu 8, 96300 Rovaniemi Duration: Starting from October 2026 (or as agreed) Working hours: Full-time Probationary period: 6 months

💶Salary: The starting salary is appro