• Organization and units
• History
• Campuses
• Aalto careers
  • Tenure track
    • Career path
    • Evaluation
    • Tenure track appointments
  • Professor of Practice position
  • For International Staff
• Mission
• Sustainable development
• Statistics
• Visual identity
• Contact information

Aalto tenure track

Tenure track is the core academic career system of Aalto University. 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.

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.

Read interviews with tenured 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.

Support and competence development

Tenure track is based on the principle of mutual commitment involving the University and individual to academic career, with clearly defined expectations as well as adequate resources and support, including competence development. Aalto provides many forms of support for professional growth and competence development, as well as support for knowledge sharing and well-being. These include, for instance, health care, sports activities, and services for international employees. Forms of support of particular importance for tenure track are research resources, pedagogical and leadership competence development, sabbaticals, and mentoring. Annual discussions provide a forum where these issues are agreed upon.

Tenure track appointment news

• 06.10.2011 Tenure track appointments in the School of Economics
• 09.09.2011 Professorial appointments at Aalto University
• 14.04.2011 Plenty of applicants for Aalto University’s new Tenure Track – first appointments made