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Aalto Tenure Track

Tenure track is the core academic career system of Aalto University.  It is the foundation of Aalto University’s objective to be a world-class university with a distinct profile, in which science and art meet business and technology. 

Aalto tenure track offers well-supported career path aimed at the Professorial level for successful academics. Tenure track is based on the principle of commitment from university and individual to academic career; it has clearly defined expectations, incentives, and assistance in personal development.

Watch also videos from other Tenure Track Professors

General principles

1. Clear and transparent rules and processes – Clear and transparent criteria and processes for entry, support, evaluation, and promotion to reduce personal ambiguity over career advancement
2. Compensation of success – Adequate salary and compensation to motivate people to work towards Aalto’s vision and objectives.
3. Equal opportunity to succeed – People do not compete against one another in the tenure track. Therefore, personal motivation and cooperation will flourish. 
4. Ensuring world-class tenure track support – Aalto aims to create world-class tenure track support, which ensures continuous professional development, and knowledge dissemination within the organization. To that end, Aalto has in place a mentoring system, research support, pedagogical and leadership development programs, as well as sabbatical and junior leaves.

Structure and processes

The Aalto tenure track structure consists of three basic levels. The tenure track levels are:

• Assistant Professor, (1st and 2nd term); fixed term
• Associate Professor; tenured/fixed term
• Full Professor; tenured

In addition, the Aalto tenure track includes an additional level Aalto Distinguished Professor (tenured), which is reserved to Full Professors with exceptional academic merits.

Assistant Professors (1st term) are appointed for a term of three to five years. Each Assistant Professor receives a reappointment review, where the decision is made in granting a second four-year term. The full length of the Assistant Professor term is normally seven to nine years. Each Assistant Professor receives a tenure review, where a decision is made to grant tenure and promote the candidate to Associate Professor. Associate Professors may receive a promotion review to Full Professor based on merit. No time limit is set for the initiation of Full Professor review.

Each faculty member on the tenure track has an annual discussion with his/her direct superior concerning the member's work and need for competence development. The reappointment review, the tenure review and the promotion review are conducted along with the annual discussion (one year before the contract ends).

Introducing tenured professors

The tenured Professors tell about their research, and path to the Tenure Track.