Tampere University

Deadline: October 30, 2019

The higher education community of Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Finland’s second largest multidisciplinary higher education institution, places its faith in the human potential and scientific knowledge. In this community of 35,000 people, leading specialists are addressing pressing global issues, inspired by the challenge of making changes in the world. The spearheads of our research and learning are technology, health and society.

We are now seeking three assistant professors, associate professors or full professors in the fields of Communication Studies and Journalism Studies.

The positions will be placed in the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences at Tampere University. The Communication Sciences Unit of the faculty conducts research that delves into our increasingly digital media landscape and the role of communication technologies in reshaping not only our thoughts and sensibilities but also our relations with others. Our three research centres (COMET, TRIM and T7) create new knowledge of the impact of publicity, gamification and theatre on our society and culture. Students admitted to our multidisciplinary degree programme in communication acquire a broad base of knowledge and go on to pursue careers in journalism, media research, information research and (communication. Our degree programme in theatre arts brings together artistic, professional and societal perspectives.

Job description

• Position 1: tenure track position in Communication Studies

The importance of communication is increasing at all levels of society. Especially our need and opportunities for human interaction and the impact of such interaction is growing. Technological advances and the evolution of social media not only create new opportunities but also new challenges for human communication and interaction. Our online and offline worlds are becoming increasingly intertwined. Technology is opening up new forms and spaces for public debate, and organisations everywhere are placing an increasing emphasis on communications. More and more jobs require strong communication competence. We are also more aware of the importance of human interaction for our personal and professional relationships. Our changing world requires communication professionals to acquire new competencies and is also creating new jobs in the field. The core mission of education and research in the field of communication studies is to respond to these needs and challenges.

We are looking for a motivated and accomplished academic with a track record of research in human communication and interaction. Candidates will be expected to be familiar with research methods in the field as well as theories relating to group communication, public speaking, interpersonal communications or the development of communication competence either from the perspective to face-to-face communication or computer mediated communication. Being familiar with the Finnish communication culture will be considered an advantage.

• Position 2 and 3: tenure track position in Journalism Studies, 2 positions

The role of journalism in disseminating information is changing and becoming increasingly important in our society. New media platforms are reshaping the nature of interaction between journalists and their audiences. Global societal challenges, such as climate change, migration trends and political polarisation are also imposing new demands on journalism, public discussion and the dissemination of information.

Addressing these challenges will be a long-term mission for research and education in journalism. Two questions illustrate this mission: What challenges will the changes in our society and communication environment create for the journalistic profession, especially for journalistic expertise and ethics? How will these changes affect the role and status of journalism in society?

We are looking for two accomplished academics with experience of research and education in journalism from a social scientific standpoint. The two positions will focus on the following themes, respectively:

Position 2: The journalistic profession and changes therein

The challenges relating to the future of journalism and the development of journalism must be studied from the perspective of the entire profession. How will be ongoing changes open up new possibilities for the development of journalism? For example, real-time reporting and the transition to digital journalism are imposing new demands on journalists and forcing them to find new ways to interact with their audiences. Considering journalists’ professional role, status and credibility, it is important to foster increasingly open interaction with different stakeholders. This requires the active development of professional practices, critical research and the ability to respond to new ethical challenges. When considering candidates, being familiar with the journalistic field in Finland and fluency in the Finnish language will be appreciated.

Position 3: The roles of journalism in society and changes therein

To understand the opportunities that are opening up for journalism, we must explore the role of journalism in the context of broader changes in our societal structures, institutions and the concept of agency. Journalism plays a key role in public decision-making and in upholding democratic values. Journalism reflects society but is also an essential part of policy-making, economy, civic society and the interactions between them. The study of these processes will shed light not only on journalism itself but also on the societal institutions that embrace journalism as an integral part of their activities and operational environment.

All the successful candidates will be expected to:

• carry out and lead scientific research
• engage in research-based teaching, supervise students, participate in curriculum development and manage and develop these activities
• acquire research funding
• actively participate in societal engagement activities and collaborate with external stakeholders

Requirements

Assistant Professor

We require:

• an applicable doctoral degree
• the ability to undertake independent scholarly activity and potential to pursue scholarly activity at a high international level of excellence
• teaching skills required to successfully perform the duties and functions of the position.

Associate Professor

We require:

• an applicable doctoral degree
• a track record of independent scholarly activity
• teaching skills required to successfully perform the duties and functions of the position
• the ability to lead a research group and acquire external funding
• a track record of international scholarly or artistic activity.

Professor

We require:

• an applicable doctoral degree
• high-level scholarly expertise
• experience of leading scientific research
• the ability to provide high-quality research-based education and instruction
• a track record of winning external research funding
• a track record of international scholarly or artistic activity

We are looking for candidates whose profile aligns with the strategy of Tampere University and the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences and who have experience of multidisciplinary research. Ideally, for more senior level appointments, you will have experience of leading or making a major contribution to a research group. You will need to be fluent in English to be able to perform the duties and functions of the position. Fluent Finnish will be considered an advantage.

We offer

Initial appointment as an assistant professor and associate professor will be for five years. Subject to successful performance, you will become a tenured faculty member at the end of the first five-year period. You will be well-supported throughout the five-year period to ease your transition to a tenured position. Full professors will hold a permanent appointment from the outset. A trial period of six months applies to all our new employees.

Salaries are based on the job demands and on employees’ personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. The starting salary range will be from €4,000 to €4,200/month for an assistant professor, from €4,600 to €4,900/month for an associate professor and from €5,600 to €5,800/month for a professor. A higher salary may be agreed upon based on the successful candidate’s experience and/or performance.

Please read more about working at Tampere University. You can also find out more about our University and working and living Tampere by watching our video: Tampere Higher Education Community - our academic playground.

Finland provides one of the most advanced and comprehensive social security in the world. It includes for example sickness benefits, various family benefits and a comprehensive healthcare system. For more information on Finland, please check InfoFinland and This is Finland.

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 30 October 2019 (at 23.59 EEST, GMT+3 / 20.59 UTC).

Please write your application and all accompanying documents in English and attach them in PDF format. Applications should include the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae according to TENK guidelines
• List of publications according to Academy of Finland guidelines. Please indicate your ten most important publications and include links to them.
• Teaching portfolio (including your teaching and supervisory experience, development of teaching skills, produced teaching materials, your views on teaching and learning in the field)
• A letter of application in which you set out the reasons why you are applying for the post and why you are particularly suited to it (max. 1-2 pages)
• A research plan (max. 5 pages)
• The names, positions and contact details of two referees who can support your application.

Candidates may be invited for a video interview during the first stage of the recruitment process. The most qualified candidates will be invited to Tampere University for an interview and may undergo an aptitude assessment. They will also undergo a review by external experts and may be required to give a demonstration of their teaching skills.

For more information, please contact:

Communication Studies, Professor Pekka Isotalus (tel. +358 503 951 173, pekka.isotalus@tuni.fi)

Journalism Studies, Professor Janne Seppänen (tel. +358 504 201 493, janne.seppanen@tuni.fi)

With questions about the application process, please contact:

HR Partner Eveliina Nurmi (tel. +358401981825, eveliina.nurmi@tuni.fi)

https://tuni.rekrytointi.com/paikat/?o=A_A&jid=315

*Application period starts: 2019-09-20 11:00

*Application period ends: 2019-10-30 23:59