Three Tenure-Track Assistant/Associate Professor Positions in Life Sciences at the University of Helsinki, Finland (2026)
The positions offer opportunities to work in a multidisciplinary research environment with access to established life science institutes, research infrastructure, and collaborating faculties. Successful candidates will be expected to pursue scientific excellence, attract external research funding, and contribute to the development of life science research, innovation, and higher education.
The positions are expected to begin in 2027 at the earliest. Initial appointments will last three to five years, with the possibility of promotion and tenure following a successful evaluation.
Application deadline: November 16, 2026, at 23:59 Eastern European Time (EET, UTC+2).
Position Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Position Title | Three Tenure-Track Assistant/Associate Professors in Life Science |
| Institution | University of Helsinki |
| Research Institute | Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) |
| Location | Helsinki, Finland |
| Number of Positions | 3 |
| Academic Levels | Assistant Professor / Associate Professor |
| Position Type | Tenure-track academic appointments |
| Initial Contract Duration | 3–5 years |
| Expected Start | 2027 at the earliest |
| Annual Gross Salary | €60,000–€80,000 |
| Startup Package | Attractive and negotiable |
| Application Deadline | November 16, 2026, at 23:59 EET |
| Vacancy ID | 5231 |
| Official Website | University of Helsinki Careers |
About the Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE)
The Helsinki Institute of Life Science is a major life science research institute at the University of Helsinki. Established in 2017, HiLIFE connects research units and faculties across the university's campuses to strengthen interdisciplinary research, innovation, and international collaboration.
Its research spans a broad range of biological scales, from the structure and function of molecules, microbes, and cells to organisms and ecosystems.
HiLIFE's three operational units are:
Institute of Biotechnology.
Neuroscience Center.
Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM).
The institute supports research recruitment, training, core facilities, innovation, and international cooperation. According to the vacancy announcement, HiLIFE employs more than 650 scientists and support staff, with approximately half of its staff coming from international backgrounds. English is the institute's daily working language.
The University of Helsinki is a multidisciplinary research university with a long history of contributing to science, education, and society. Its investment in life sciences provides an environment for researchers seeking to develop ambitious research programs and collaborate across disciplines.
Research Areas and Participating Faculties
HiLIFE encourages applications from researchers across the life sciences. The three positions will be shared between one of HiLIFE's operational units and one of the participating faculties at the university.
The faculties have highlighted several areas of particular interest.
| Participating Faculty | Highlighted Research Areas |
|---|---|
| Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry | Future Food |
| Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences | All fields within the faculty |
| Faculty of Medicine | Public Health, Bio-imaging, Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Endocrinology |
| Faculty of Pharmacy | Digital and Computational Drug Discovery, Development, and Safety |
| Faculty of Science | Targeted Radiotherapy and Dosimetry; Nano- and/or Microtomography in Bioimaging |
| Faculty of Veterinary Medicine | Veterinary Physiology |
These areas indicate faculty-specific priorities rather than an exhaustive list of eligible research topics. Applicants from other life science disciplines are also encouraged to apply.
Key Responsibilities and Expectations
1. Establish an Independent Research Program
Assistant Professor candidates are expected to develop an independent research program in a current or emerging area of life sciences. The program should demonstrate scientific ambition, a clear research direction, and the potential to become externally funded.
Associate Professor candidates should provide evidence that they have already achieved this level of research independence and leadership.
2. Produce High-Impact Scientific Research
Candidates should demonstrate research excellence appropriate to their career stage. Evidence may include peer-reviewed publications, significant research outputs, competitive research funding, and other achievements that establish their scientific contribution.
The university seeks researchers with the potential to advance their fields and strengthen HiLIFE's research environment.
3. Attract External Research Funding
The ability to secure external competitive funding is an important consideration. Assistant Professor candidates should demonstrate the potential to develop a funded independent research program, while Associate Professor candidates are expected to show evidence of previous achievements in this area.
4. Contribute to Research Infrastructure and Innovation
The successful candidates may contribute to the development of life science research infrastructure, innovation, and emerging areas of higher education. The university is interested in researchers who can strengthen the broader research ecosystem as well as their own laboratories.
5. Support Higher Education and Academic Development
In addition to research, appointees are expected to contribute to higher education and the development of their research communities. Relevant experience and potential should be reflected in the application materials and academic track record.
6. Collaborate Across Faculties and Research Units
The shared appointment structure provides opportunities to work across HiLIFE units and participating faculties. Candidates should be prepared to contribute to a collaborative, international research environment.
Eligibility Criteria
The call is aimed particularly at early-stage independent researchers with approximately 2–12 years of experience since completing their PhD, excluding career breaks.
General Requirements
Applicants should have:
A doctoral degree completed approximately 2–12 years before the application, excluding career breaks.
Postdoctoral research experience.
A recent record of research excellence appropriate to their career stage.
Evidence of an emerging or established independent research profile.
Potential to attract external research funding, or evidence of success in doing so.
Research interests aligned with life sciences and the opportunity to contribute to HiLIFE or a participating faculty.
The university also requires applicants to meet its formal academic qualification requirements by the application deadline.
Requirements for Assistant Professor Candidates
Candidates applying at the Assistant Professor level should demonstrate the potential to become future research leaders. They are expected to develop an independent, externally funded research program in an established or emerging area of life sciences.
An early-career research record, evidence of external funding, and readiness to work independently will strengthen an application.
Requirements for Associate Professor Candidates
Associate Professor applicants are expected to demonstrate evidence of research independence and leadership, including achievements in developing an independent research program and attracting external funding.
The application should make these accomplishments clear rather than relying only on future potential.
Important Residency Requirement
The successful appointee is expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki.
International applicants should take this requirement into account when considering the position.
Salary and Benefits
Annual Salary
The advertised gross annual salary range is €60,000–€80,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
The salary is negotiable within the University of Helsinki's regulations. It is based on level 7 of the demands-level chart for teaching and research personnel in the Finnish university salary system, with an additional component based on personal work performance.
The position also includes a six-month trial period.
Research Startup Package
The appointments come with an attractive, negotiable startup package. This is intended to support the establishment or further development of the successful candidates' research programs.
The exact package is negotiable, so applicants should discuss their research needs and relevant terms through the recruitment process.
Employee Benefits
The University of Helsinki lists a range of employee services and benefits, including:
Occupational healthcare.
Health insurance.
Sports facilities.
Professional development opportunities.
Access to an international academic environment.
Opportunities for interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
The precise terms and eligibility conditions should be confirmed with the university.
Working and Living in Finland
The university highlights Finland's family services, healthcare, education, and international working environment. Helsinki offers access to an established research community and facilities across several university campuses.
International candidates should review the university's information about working in Finland, relocation, and residence requirements before accepting an appointment.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit their application as one PDF attachment. The university asks candidates to prepare their materials themselves and emphasizes that applications should reflect their own voice and thoughts. AI-generated applications do not meet the university's stated expectations.
The PDF must contain only the following requested materials.
1. Motivation Letter — Maximum One Page
Explain your motivation for applying, your academic background, and how your research goals align with the position and HiLIFE's research environment.
2. Curriculum Vitae
Include your academic and professional history, research experience, teaching experience, publications, grants, and other relevant achievements.
3. Research Outputs List — Maximum 20 Items
Provide a list of no more than 20 publications, patents, invention disclosures, or other important research outputs.
At the beginning of this section, highlight five key publications and provide a brief summary explaining their importance. Include your ORCID ID so the committee can access your complete publication list.
4. Research Plan — Maximum Two Pages
Describe your proposed research direction, key scientific questions, objectives, and plans for developing an independent research program. References are excluded from the two-page limit.
Total Application Length
The complete application package must not exceed 10 pages. Other attachments will not be considered.
Applicants should follow these requirements carefully. Additional documents beyond those requested may not be reviewed.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the University of Helsinki's official recruitment system.
APPLY HERE: Official Application Link
Contact Information
For questions about HiLIFE:
HiLIFE Director: Jari Koistinaho
Email: jari.koistinaho@helsinki.fi
For administrative information:
Head of Administration: Sanna Leinonen
Email: sanna.p.leinonen@helsinki.fi
For questions about the recruitment process and schedule:
Human Resources Partner: Anu Roine
Email: anu.roine@helsinki.fi
For recruitment assistance or accommodation requests:
Email: hilife-recruit@helsinki.fi
Application Deadline and Recruitment Timeline
| Recruitment Stage | Date or Details |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | November 16, 2026 |
| Deadline Time | 23:59 EET (UTC+2) |
| Interview and Research Visit Dates | May 31–June 2, 2027 |
| Site Visit Invitations | Expected in April or early May 2027 |
| Expected Completion of Recruitment | September 2027 |
| Earliest Position Start | 2027 |
An Appointment Committee will evaluate applications. The process includes external referee statements and interviews with shortlisted candidates.
Finalists will participate in an interview process that includes a research seminar and teaching demonstration. Candidates should reserve May 31–June 2, 2027, if possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many positions are available?
HiLIFE is recruiting three tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor candidates through this call.
2. Which university is offering these positions?
The positions are offered by the University of Helsinki, Finland, through the Helsinki Institute of Life Science and participating faculties.
3. What is the salary?
The gross annual salary ranges from €60,000 to €80,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The salary is negotiable within university regulations.
4. How much research experience is expected?
The call targets researchers with approximately 2–12 years of experience since completing their PhD, excluding career breaks. Postdoctoral experience is also expected.
5. Can researchers from different life science disciplines apply?
Yes. HiLIFE encourages applications from all life science fields. Participating faculties have highlighted specific areas of interest, but these are not presented as an exhaustive list of eligible disciplines.
6. What is the initial contract duration?
The positions are initially for three to five years, with the possibility of promotion and tenure following successful evaluation.
7. Is a research startup package available?
Yes. The university states that the positions include an attractive, negotiable startup package.
8. What documents must be submitted?
Applicants must submit a one-page motivation letter, a CV including teaching experience, a research outputs list of no more than 20 items with five highlighted key outputs, and a research plan of no more than two pages excluding references.
9. What is the maximum application length?
The complete PDF application package must not exceed 10 pages. Other attachments will not be considered.
10. What is the application deadline?
The deadline is November 16, 2026, at 23:59 EET (UTC+2).
11. When will interviews take place?
Interviews, including a research seminar and teaching demonstration for finalists, are expected to take place from May 31 to June 2, 2027.
12. Must successful candidates live in Finland?
Yes. The vacancy announcement states that appointees are expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki.
Final Thoughts
The three tenure-track Assistant Professor and Associate Professor positions at the University of Helsinki offer an opportunity for promising life science researchers to develop independent research programs in a well-established international academic environment.
The call is particularly relevant to researchers with a strong scientific track record, postdoctoral experience, and the potential to attract external research funding. Candidates should demonstrate a clear research vision, highlight their most significant scientific contributions, and explain how they can strengthen HiLIFE and its participating faculties.
Applicants should pay close attention to the strict application format, including the 10-page maximum and the requirement to submit a single PDF. Review the official vacancy information and submit the application by November 16, 2026.
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