Henkilöstön ja ylimmän johdon palvelut

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We are an internationally competitive, productive and specialised research university with a strong focus on impactful, basic scientific research. We are a highly valued partner within both regional and international innovation ecosystems. The University of Vaasa is located at the heart of Northern Europe’s largest energy and environment business cluster. We consider advancing the renewal of the energy sector and combatting climate change a core part of our mission.

We use our expertise to advance multi-, cross- and inter-disciplinary research to help address the complex challenges facing our society. In addition to finding solutions to complex problems, our research findings also give rise to new theoretical frameworks, new scientific thinking and even completely new fields of science.

We carry out ethical research that is both sustainable and responsible. We are committed to the principles of open science. We advance the impact of our research by producing new and relevant knowledge in our educational programmes, partner networks and society.

Read more about Research activities at the University of Vaasa.

High-quality education

The education experience at the University of Vaasa emphasises the role of community and interaction. At its core, the education experience is built upon cutting-edge, research-based knowledge, the latest advances in technology, as well as a focus on student-driven projects.

The University of Vaasa has three master's degree programmes in English with an international EFMD accreditation: the Master's Degree Programme in International Business, the Master's Degree Programme in Finance, and the Master's Degree Programme in Strategic Business Development.

All degree programmes in technology are accredited by the accreditation company ASIIN.

International working culture

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At our university we don't just say we are international—we are international. We have a large network with around 200 universities in almost 50 countries. 

Blending into our diverse work community will not be difficult. We embrace diversity and promote equal opportunities for all members of staff. A third of the academic personnel at the University of Vaasa comes from outside of Finland. Our researchers and other staff members represent more than 40 different nationalities. 

Our working languages are Finnish and English. Knowing not how to speak Finnish upon your arrival will not be an issue here. We do encourage our staff members to learn Finnish, though, as we feel this to be important for the integration process. We invest in language training and intercultural communication and provide regular Finnish language courses.

Multicultural and multilingual Vaasa region

Besides the university community, the whole of the Vaasa region is known for its multicultural and multilingual character. The region has traditionally been open to the world. A great deal of the region’s 120,000 inhabitants is bilingual. Officially, 59% speak Finnish 36% Swedish and the rest other languages. Here you can get service and run your errands, attend new hobbies and events at least in three languages: Finnish, Swedish and English. The share of immigrants is one of the highest in all of Finland, and foreign citizens are well-integrated into business and labour.

The University of Vaasa is located at the heart of Northern Europe’s largest energy and environment business cluster.

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At the forefront of flourishing urban regions

Vaasa enjoys a position at the forefront of flourishing urban regions. And no wonder: we have Finland's largest hub of energy companies and plenty of jobs, six higher education units, the sea, and people who have been proven to be happy and energetic. Things are going swimmingly here.

Vaasa is a coastal city with almost 70,000 inhabitants, and it is the energy capital of Finland. Vaasa also looks like a real city, not least due to its grid plan and beautiful historic buildings. The city centre parks, small and large, and the rocky archipelago give the coastal town a unique atmosphere. Vaasa enjoys the salty sea air, a youthful sound, an international appearance and an energetic vitality.

The Vaasa region has a long history of greeting the world with an open mind. Finnish-speakers make up 59% of the population, Swedish-speakers account for 36%, and the remaining 5% speak languages from all over the world. You can also get by with one language.

Uncomplicated life

Life in Vaasa is hassle-free. Commutes are short, and you will not waste your time sitting in traffic jams. Vaasa is a compact city, so cycling routes are short. It is not necessary to own a car in Vaasa, as the comprehensive public transport network, which includes new buses running on natural gas, operates from morning to evening.

Vaasa has good transport links: you can get here by aeroplane, train, coach, ferry or car. Helsinki is three hours by train from Vaasa, and flights operate to the capital and further afield. There is also a ferry service to Umeå.

Happy people in Vaasa

• Employment rate among the best in the country for 10 years now
• High income level and inexpensive housing—money is left over for living life to the full
• Get to work quickly, reach the world easily
• The Kvarken Archipelago is Finland's first and only natural heritage site classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• One of Finland's most international regions

High quality of life

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It is easy and interesting to spend free time in the Vaasa region. There are activities almost everywhere, whatever you plan to do.

Vaasa has all of the big city shops, cafes and restaurants. Major investments are made in comfort and entertainment: there are cultural, sporting and leisure offerings for everyone in every season. For more information about things to do in Vaasa, see www.visitvaasa.fi

Nature is close at hand, whether you live right in the centre of the city or nearby. Wherever you go you will find yourself near the sea. Did you know that Vaasa has more than 400 kilometres of coastline?

Homes for everyone

Although the Vaasa region is home to more than 110,000 people, houses are spread far and wide, so it rarely feels crowded. Perhaps one reason Vaasa's residents are so happy is that life here is easy and high in quality. The Vaasa region has a lot to offer, whether you value the urban hustle and bustle or a life in touch with nature.

Vaasa is an affordable place. The average price per square metre of residential space is less than EUR 2,000. In the Vaasa region, you will be left with more money to live your life.

The title of docent is an academic title that is awarded in recognition of scientific and educational merit. Upon application, the University of Vaasa may award the title of a docent to individuals who have a comprehensive knowledge of their field, a capacity for independent scientific research demonstrated through publications or some other manner, and good teaching skills. In addition, the docentship should complement the university’s areas of expertise and enable the university to use the docent’s expertise in teaching, supervision, and research and development tasks.

The granting of a docent’s title does not constitute an employment relationship between the applicant and the university. Rather, the duties of a docent and eventual compensation for attending to those duties are agreed separately. The title of docent is awarded indefinitely.

The docent collaborates with the university and participates in its academic operations. A docent may participate in teaching, supervising students, assessing theses, and in other university operations. The school and the docent agree on the nature of the collaboration regularly, at least at intervals of three years.

Assessment of merits

Scientific competence

By virtue of section 89 of the Universities Act (558/2009), a university may, upon application, award the title of docent to individuals who have a comprehensive knowledge of their field, a capacity for independent research or artistic work demonstrated through publications or some other manner, and good teaching skills.

The general criterion for a docent’s competence is that the applicant has other publications in addition to an approved dissertation. The quantity and scientific merit of the research within the realm of the docentship field shall correspond to another high-quality dissertation.

The scientific output shall demonstrate that the applicant has a comprehensive knowledge of the docentship field and a capacity for independent scientific research. The scientific output shall show that the applicant has created a unique line of research and that the applicant’s research continues actively.

The applicant shall prepare a statement on publications that constitute the body of work upon which the applicant believes the competency of a docent has been achieved. For joint publications, the applicant shall clarify their personal contribution. The primary focus of the assessment is on articles that have been published or approved for publication in international journals that follow expert practices.

When assessing the merits of applicants for the title of docent, the following items receive attention:

• the applicant’s scientific publication output in international journals that follow expert practices
• the applicant’s role in key, joint publications
• the applicant’s demonstration of a career as an independent researcher (for example, funding obtained for own research)
• the applicant’s participation in supervision of theses, scientific research and/or dissertations
• the applicant’s active participation in international activities and scientific conferences in the field

Teaching skills

Docents are required to have good teaching skills. Teaching skills will be evaluated on the basis of pedagogical training, practical experience acquired in teaching, the ability to create teaching material, other achievements in teaching, and teaching abilities shown in teaching demonstrations.

The CV created in accordance with the guidelines and template of the university shall include earlier teaching experience, university pedagogical training, the production of teaching materials and eventual other factors demonstrating teaching abilities. The assessment of the applicant's teaching skills will be based on the entirety of the applicant's teaching skills. The management group of the school is responsible for the assessment of teaching skills as a part of the overall criteria.

The applicant must provide a teaching demonstration as a part of the assessment of teaching skills. The teaching demonstration is generally a demonstration lecture for which the applicant must receive a good grade as a minimum. The management group of the school may also accept an earlier corresponding teaching demonstration presented at the University of Vaasa or another university. Because teaching skills are always assessed in a comprehensive manner, the management group may also, for special reasons, assess the teaching skills of the applicant without a teaching demonstration.

Language skills

Docents are required to have the language skills (A770/2009) required of people handling teaching and research tasks at the university. The teaching language at the University of Vaasa is Finnish. lf the applicant is a foreign citizen or a Finnish citizen who was not born in the country or did not receive their education in Finnish or Swedish, they may be granted an exemption from the language proficiency requirement without a separate application.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND EXPERT STATEMENTS

Before applying for the title of docent, the applicant must contact the Dean of the School with whom the docentship will be served. There can be preliminary background discussions with the professor of the subject. The School will provide instructions on how to submit an application.

The Dean, or a designated representative for the subject, shall present to the School's management group a report on the docentship's field and a declaration, with grounds, on the appropriateness of the docentship. This report shall clarify how the expertise of the applicant will be integrated into the university's study programs and research operations.

The School's management group shall select two experts, whose competence is equivalent or superior to that of a docent, to provide statements on the scientific qualifications of the applicant unless the group concludes for special reasons that such a statement is unnecessary.

In their statement, the experts must analyse the output of the applicant in a way that clearly identifies the reasons that demonstrate that the applicant has the scientific competence required for the title of docent. The School's management group requires that the statement issued by the experts unequivocally indicates whether or not the applicant meets the requirements for the title of docent.

If based on the expert statements and the applicant’s teaching skills, the School's management group concludes that the applicant meets the requirements for the title of docent, the School's management group makes a presentation to the Rector for the granting of the title of docent.

The rector grants the title of docent.

Application documents

Application documents are to be submitted using the recruitment system. The application should include a freeform application letter that indicates the field of the docentship being applied for. The application should also include the documents listed below (please see templates: Application attachments | University of Vaasa (uwasa.fi))

• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching portfolio (complementary to the CV)
• List of publications
• Statement on which publications, in the opinion of the applicant, constitute a body of work upon which the applicant believes the competency of docent has been achieved. For joint publications, the applicant shall clarify their personal contribution.
• No more than ten publications and a list of these publications
• Certified copy of a certificate of a doctoral degree.

Processing applications and the selection process

All applications should be submitted using the Laura recruitment system. Applicants must ensure that all required attachments can be found in the system by the deadline.

Once the application period has ended, the University of Vaasa will select the applicants who will proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process. Depending on the position, the recruiter or a named appointment committee will decide on the next steps, such as interviews, language and aptitude tests as well as teaching demonstrations (test lectures).

The University of Vaasa reserves the right to leave the position vacant, to extend the application period and consider candidates who have not applied within the application period.

All teaching and research positions are filled in compliance with the appointment procedure as specified in the Finnish Universities Act (558/2009) and the regulations of the University of Vaasa.

Appointments for positions in teaching and research

The merits and competence of the applicants are assessed extensively. The job announcements contain the selection criteria and prerequisites for the position.

The application documents may, if deemed necessary for filling the position, be sent to internal and/or external scientific experts for evaluation.

Teaching demonstration

The selection process may require some candidates to give a teaching demonstration. The teaching demonstration is evaluated as a part of the applicant’s teaching skills as a whole. The teaching demonstration is open to the public and may be recorded. A teaching demonstration usually lasts about 30 mins.

Language skills

The administrative language of the University of Vaasa is Finnish. The teaching languages are Finnish and English. Candidates are required to have the language skills required for carrying out the duties of the position.

Section 1 of the Finnish Government Decree on Universities (707/2009) requires personnel recruited to teaching and research positions to be proficient in Finnish. However, if the candidate is a foreigner or a Finnish citizen who is not a native or has not been educated in Finnish, they may be granted an exemption from the Finnish language proficiency requirement. The selected candidate is expected to acquire the necessary language skills needed in the position in accordance with the language policy of the University of Vaasa.

The aim is that all persons recruited to the university achieve at least the level of a basic language user (A2 according to the CEFR framework) in Finnish within four years of their recruitment. If the person’s job description includes or will presumably include demanding administrative tasks, it is recommended that the person achieve at least the level of an independent language user (B1 or B2) in Finnish within a certain time frame.

The expectations for English skills depend on the position. The general rule is that in all positions, the persons to be recruited should achieve at least the basic level in English (level A2). Most of the positions are such that the level of an independent language user (at least B1/B2) is required.

Director and management positions, as well as many other University Services positions, require the level of a proficient user (C1 or C2) unless there are special reasons why a lower level is sufficient. Teaching and research positions in which fluency is needed to successfully perform the duties also require the level of a proficient user (C1 or C2).

The University of Vaasa supports the development of language skills e.g. by organising regular language courses for members of staff.

Adding attachments to your application

In addition to your CV, you can add 10 attachments. The maximum size per attachment is 5 MB. If your file is larger than 5 MB, please save your file in smaller parts or optimise the file.

Optimising the file: You can optimise your PDF file with the PDF-XChange software. Open the file in PDF-XChange. Select File → Save as optimized. This will enable you to change the resolution of pictures to e.g. 125 dpi. Select OK to optimise the file.

Job announcement

All applications should be submitted using the Laura recruitment system. To apply for an open position, please fill in the application form and add the attachments as specified in the job announcement. Please ensure that all the required information can be found in the recruitment system by the application deadline.

For additional information about an open position, please contact the person(s) mentioned in the job announcement. In case of technical problems or inquiries about the online application system, please contact careers(a)uwasa.fi.

Filling in the application form

The link to the application form can be found at the end of the job announcement: Submit an application. Please note that you will not need a username and password when using the online system for the first time. Once you have submitted your first application, you will receive a link via email. By clicking the link you will get a username and password, which you can use for any future online applications to open positions at the University of Vaasa. NOTE! When you open the link you only get to see the username and password on the screen once. With the username and password, you can modify your application during the application period.

When you have filled in your email address, you will receive an automatic email confirming that a draft of your application has been saved.

Questions marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory. Check the information you have filled in by clicking Preview. After the preview, you can send your application or continue modifying it. NOTE! Attachments are not saved to the application draft. Therefore, only add attachments when you are ready to send the application.

After you have submitted your application, you will receive a link via email. By clicking the link, you get a username and password to the online application system. As before, you only get to see the username and password on the screen once. With the username and password, you can modify your application during the application period.

You will also receive a separate email confirming that your application has been registered.

If you have previously applied for another position at the University of Vaasa, the system will not send you a new username and password. Please use your original ones to update your application. If you have forgotten your password, click the Restore username and set a new password link below the login section.

Adding attachments to your application

You can add attachments by clicking Choose File. In addition to your CV, you can add 10 attachments. The maximum size per attachment is 5 MB. If your file is larger than 5 MB, please save your file in smaller parts or optimise the file.

Optimising the file: You can optimise your PDF file with the PDF-XChange software. Open the file in PDF-XChange. Select File → Save as optimized. This will enable you to change the resolution of pictures to e.g. 125 dpi. Select OK to optimise the file.

To update the application

You can modify your application until the application period ends. Go to the job posting and click the link Log in in the top right corner​​​​.

Using your previous application again

Once you have a username and password to the system, you can reuse information from one of your previous applications.

Begin by clicking Leave an application and sign in to the system. Then, choose the application that you want to use as a template and select Load. NOTE! Loading the information from a previous application form will replace any information that you may already have filled in.

Forgotten your password?

If you have forgotten your password, please click Log in link in the top right corner on the job announcement and then click Restore username and set a new password link.

If you encounter problems when using the system

• careers(a)uwasa.fi

An inspiring and thriving community

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We offer you a career opportunity in an internationally renowned and multifaceted community. Our values—courage, community and responsibility—guide us in our everyday life and provides us with a foundation for our common well-being, today and in the future.

We promote the overall well-being of our employees at work by, among other things, offering fitness and cultural benefits, extensive occupational health care services, and versatile opportunities for continuous learning. Flexible working time arrangements and the possibility for partial remote work also supports the work-life balance.

Personnel well-being is monitored with the help of a regular well-being survey.

By the sea but close to the city centre

Our university is located in Palosaari, close to the city centre.  All university functions are located on the same campus within a walking distance. You will find a lot of meeting places and contemporary work facilities for staff and students.

Get to know your colleagues

Assistant Professor in Accounting and Finance Anupam Dutta enjoys working in the friendly environment of the University of Vaasa. He has been experiencing Vaasa since 2012 and completed his PhD in 2015.

- Though it’s a small town, I enjoy living here because of its simplicity. People here are also very nice and welcoming. I do enjoy working here because such an encouraging atmosphere assists me in performing my academic work successfully.

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During his doctoral research, Dutta has proposed a long-term event study methodology which can be used to investigate how stock prices react following a corporate event. Over the last few years, Dutta has been publishing in top-tier journals and plans to prolong his career in the university. Currently, he is conducting research in the field of energy finance and has many ongoing projects.

- All members in my research group are highly motivated to research. They are very experienced in what they do. As a researcher, I appreciate the freedom of exploring different areas of my research field. In the University of Vaasa, I also feel free to do multidisciplinary research. This is the best part of being a researcher.

"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.

Read more

Passion for research work

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Christoph Demmke has been appointed Professor in Public Management at the University of Vaasa. Demmke, who comes to Vaasa from Berlin, has a vast network and is a distinguished researcher who focuses on public management, good governance and ethical issues. He brings international experience and strong research expertise to the University of Vaasa, especially in comparative research in public management. 

The professorship in Vaasa attracted him because it was a rare job opening at the interface between public management and ethics.

– It really matched my interest and skills. I have always preferred small and fine universities. It seems that the University of Vaasa enjoys a very good reputation.

Read more

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

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Positions in teaching and research

Teaching and research positions are divided into four career stages. The positions in the career model are eg. 

1. Doctoral researchers, project researchers
2. Postdoctoral researchers, university teachers
3. Senior researchers, university lecturers
4. Research managers, professors

All four career stages include both teaching and research. The tasks are agreed upon in more detail when annual work plans are prepared.

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Tenure track positions

Some positions are available as tenure-track positions. The person chosen for the task can advance to the next career stage if they succeed in the regular evaluations of the tenure track scheme. Based on the candidate’s experience and competence, they will primarily be employed for a fixed term as an assistant professor or an associate professor. A person fulfilling all the qualification requirements and demonstrating particular merit may be appointed directly to the position of a professor.

A candidate’s or employee’s performance and merits are assessed in the areas of scientific research, teaching, activities in the scientific community, and societal impact.

Positions in administrative services and independent institutions

University Services provides services for the whole university community thus supporting the activities in research and teaching. The University Services is divided into two functions: Academic Services and Administrative Services. The Academic Services includes Education Services, Research Services and the Graduate School, and Communications, Brand and Marketing. The Administrative Services consists of HR and Executive Services, Finance and Project Administration, ICT Services as well as Campus Services. In addition, there are two on-site service centres in the Tervahovi and Fabriikki buildings.

The affiliated institutions comprise the academic library Tritonia and the Levón Institute, which is the university's centre for continuing education and research.

The personnel employed include, for example, vice-directors for functions, managers, specialists, and assistants.