An inspiring and thriving community
Join a workplace where your career can thrive in an internationally renowned and diverse academic community. Our core values — courage, community, and responsibility — guide our everyday actions and form the foundation for our shared well-being, now and in the future.
We are committed to developing our work culture, working conditions, and the sense of community across the university. The well-being of our personnel is essential to our success, which is why we monitor and continuously improve it. According to the results of our recent staff well-being survey, managerial work and the university’s sense of community were highlighted as key strengths by our employees.
We promote staff well-being through:
- Comprehensive occupational health care, including preventive services, ergonomic assessments and extensive medical care
- Fitness and culture benefits, and a wide range of activities supporting well-being at work
- Flexible working arrangements, such as blended remote and on-campus work options supporting work-life balance
Our commitment to the career and competence development of our personnel is visible in the versatile in-house offering of training opportunities. As a member of our staff you will also have the opportunity to participate in external courses as well as other development opportunities.
We are active contributors both nationally and internationally to leading research and educational networks and partnerships. Members of our university community visit, develop and work in scientific communities and organizations around the world during different phases of their careers.
A unique campus by the sea – just steps from the city
Our university is located in the scenic Palosaari district, right by the sea and only a short walk from the Vaasa city centre. All university operations are conveniently housed on a single campus, making it easy to navigate and fostering a strong sense of community.
The campus offers modern meeting spaces and state-of-the-art work facilities designed to support both staff and students. Our maritime setting provides a truly unique environment for learning and research, featuring cutting-edge laboratories and contemporary teaching spaces.
Vaasa, with nearly 70,000 residents, is a dynamic and international hub of culture, education, and business. Known as the energy capital of Finland, the city enjoys a position at the forefront of flourishing urban regions — making it an inspiring place to study, work, and live. Read more about our thriving region.
Get to know your colleagues
"We are fortunate to work in such a wonderful place"
Susanna Kultalahti and Minna-Maarit Jaskari are the first to be appointed as senior university lecturers at the University of Vaasa. The revised career model at the university creates unique opportunities for advancing a teaching-oriented career to more senior, expert levels. The senior university lecturer is the highest level in the teaching-focused career path.
Susanna Kultalahti and Minna-Maarit Jaskari emphasise that teaching and learning should provide students with tools, an understanding of the big picture, and critical thinking skills.
– I have told students that my main goal is for their thinking skills to develop, and that is what we aim for. Developing thinking is hard work and requires time, which is not a given in today's world. This message has resonated with students, Minna-Maarit explains.
Susanna's guiding principle is that teaching should provide tools.
– Of course, there is also the substance, but nowadays you can leave anything to AI or various technologies to solve, and that won't help you succeed. A course has a theme and content, but it also includes other elements that help understand future work challenges, such as managing the big picture, healthy critical thinking, and analysing, processing, organising, and understanding information, Susanna says.
HR Excellence in Research
The University of Vaasa was awarded the HR Excellence in Research symbol in recognition of our development work and our commitment to the European Commission's principles on recruiting researchers and safeguarding good working conditions. The development work is proceeding in phases in line with an action plan and regular evaluations. More information: HR Excellence in Research