Senior Research Fellow (Housing design)

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. Read more: www.tuni.fi/en 

The Faculty of Built Environment conducts high-quality scientific and applied research in the fields of architecture and civil engineering and provides higher education based on this research. Our unique environment promotes collaboration and innovations and offers opportunities to pursue new avenues of multidisciplinary research and education. Our mission is to establish a reputation as a pioneer of teaching and research in the subject area and achieve international visibility in our areas of expertise.   

Located in the Architecture unit, ASUTUT - Sustainable Housing Design research group  conducts user-centric and process-oriented research that responds to and pre-empts societal challenges in contemporary housing design in a rapidly changing world (e.g. climate change, ageing population, pandemic etc.). ASUTUT investigates and re-imagines new approaches to housing design and its spatial and architectural quality with the aim to influence the design of sustainable and resilient living environments now, and in the future, by combining unique areas of expertise, including: AGILE DESIGN (e.g. adaptable, flexible, dweller-oriented housing design and housing solutions); ECOLOGICAL DESIGN (e.g. zero energy, zero carbon design, Post-occupancy and building performance evaluation (POE, BPE) and INCLUSIVE DESIGN (e.g. accessibility, inclusivity, human diversity). 

Job description 

We are looking for a highly motivated Senior Research Fellow to join the Faculty of Built Environment at Tampere University in the ASUTUT – Sustainable Housing Design research group.

The successful applicant will conduct research and contribute to the theoretical work as agreed with the research group, with a key focus on scientific and societal impact in sustainable housing design. 

The successful candidate will actively support the research group in obtaining external research funding to support the future research of the ASUTUT research group and to act as co-leader of the research group. They will participate in regular project meetings and seminars, act as project coordinator and project manager of a variety of projects in the research group, mentor more junior colleagues and take part in the research group’s joint work, and to present their work and the research group in relevant seminars and academic conferences and the university community. They are expected to carry out teaching or administrative duties for 5-20% of their working time. 

Requirements:

The following criteria are used in screening the applications:

• a doctoral degree in architecture, architectural engineering, or related field;
• up-to-date and in-depth knowledge about (agile/ecological/inclusive) sustainable design, especially related to the field of housing;
• track record of conducting independent, high-quality scientific research; competence must be demonstrated through existing publications in internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals in areas relevant to the position;
• ability and enthusiasm to secure external funding for ASUTUT research and for own research activities;
• experience in guiding research projects and more junior colleagues;
• experience of participation in research collaborations and interdisciplinary research;
• ability to work in a team as well as independently and communicate clearly in a multidisciplinary and international environment in the English language.

In addition to the above, following skills are also considered advantageous:

• motivation, goals and ambition for the position expressed with clarity and feasibility in the candidate’s research strategy;
• teaching experience in the subject area with ability to contribute to teaching across disciplines in the faculty; e.g. candidates with ability to supervise M.Sc. and Ph.D. students;
• experience of day-day research project management and coordination (including financial and contractual matters);
• initiative taking, inquisitive, independent and critical thinker, and be able to adapt to emerging research circumstances;
• experience in contributing to societal and scientific impact and other university/ academic community matters;
• experience and contacts with the national and international research community and within the Nordic region;
• command of Finnish and/or Swedish;
• ability to regularly work on the Hervanta campus in Tampere.

Tampere University is a unique, multidisciplinary and boldly forward-looking, evolving community. Our values are openness, diversity, responsibility, courage, critical thinking, erudition, and learner-centredness. We hope that you can embrace these values and promote them in your work.

We offer

The position will be filled on a permanent basis. The planned starting date is 1 August 2024 or as mutually agreed. A trial period of six months will apply.

The salary will be based on both the job requirements and the employees’ personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. The position of a Senior Research Fellow is placed on the job demand levels 6-7 (teaching and research staff). A typical starting salary for a Senior Research Fellow can be ca. 4500-4700 EUR per month. However, for more experienced persons, higher salary can be negotiated.

We offer you the opportunity to join our dynamic and innovative international community. As a member of staff at Tampere University, you will enjoy a range of competitive benefits, such as a flexible work schedule, good facilities for teleworking, occupational healthcare services, a variety of affordable food and drink outlets across our campuses and a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities in your free time. Please read more about working at Tampere University. You can also find more information about us and working and living Tampere by watching our video: Tampere Higher Education Community - our academic playground

Finland is among the most stable, free and safe countries in the world, based on prominent ratings by various agencies. Tampere is the largest inland city of Finland, and the city is counted among the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries. Tampere region is the most rapidly growing urban area in Finland and home to a vibrant knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community. The city is an industrial powerhouse that enjoys a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland’s information society. Tampere is also surrounded by vivid nature with forests and lakes, providing countless opportunities for easy-to-access outdoor adventures and refreshment throughout the year.   

Read more about Finland and Tampere:   

• Visit Finland
• This is Finland
• Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment: Welcome to Finland
• Visit Tampere

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system (link at the bottom of this page). The closing date for applications is 8 April 202423:59 EEST (UTC +03). Please write your application and all accompanying documents in English and attach them in a single PDF format named as “Lastname_Firstname”:

Applications should include the following documents (pdf):

1. Motivation letter that describes why you would be a good fit for the position and outlines your goals and career aspirations (max 1 page); 
2. Curriculum vitae following TENK guidelines (including a brief listing of research and teaching experience);
3. List of publications;
4. Research strategy describing your strategic intent, goals and plans for research, including internationalisation and funding acquisition plans (max 3 pages); 
5. Master’s/Doctoral diploma in original language. If original language is other than Finnish, Swedish or English, please provide an official translation in one of those languages;
6. List of 2 to 3 references

For more information:

Please contact Professor Sofie Pelsmakers (email: sofie.pelsmakers@tuni.fi).