Assistant Professor in Sustainable Land-Use and Transport Planning (Tenure track)

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 13,000 students, 400 professors and close to 4 500 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

Aalto University School of Engineering, Department of Built Environment invites applications for:

Assistant professor in sustainable land-use and transport planning (tenure track)

We are seeking an ambitious and enthusiastic individual for a full-time tenure track position in the Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering (SPT) research group. More details about Aalto University’s tenure track career path can be found below.

The position and our expectations

The SPT research group connects spatial planning and transportation engineering and seeks to identify how to create more attractive, accessible, equitable and resource-efficient urban environments. SPT’s three main research areas comprise: i) everyday human behaviour and values in the living environment; ii) new planning and policy-making methods and processes; and iii) development and governance of urban technologies and services – see https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-built-environment/spatial-planning-and-transportation-engineering.

We wish to recruit an ambitious professional to contribute to ground-breaking academic work at the interface of land-use and transport planning. The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Have strong expertise in some of the following fields: designing healthy and accessible neighbourhoods; developing safe and equitable systems for the mobility of people and goods; promoting biodiversity and climate-neutrality in urban development; increasing local access to jobs, services and facilities, especially by non-motorised modes; supporting participation and utilization of local knowledge in land-use and transport planning; and protecting and enhancing the natural and cultural heritage of cities. The candidate should also have a close interest in how these themes can be addressed in the Nordic context.

• Contribute to BSc and MSc teaching, typically around 10-15 study credits per year, particularly the BSc major in Sustainable Communities, the MSc in Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering and the MSc in Sustainable Urban Mobility Transitions.

• Initiate research projects on sustainable land-use and transport planning, particularly related to issues such as socio-ecological boundaries, health, happiness, quality of life, biosphere integrity, and climate change.

• Supervise doctoral students and produce high-quality research published in peer-reviewed journals.

• Disseminate research results, enhance the international visibility of Aalto University, the School of Engineering and the Department of Built Environment, and engage with society at large.

• Be willing and able to collaborate with different stakeholders, as well as colleagues both in Aalto University and across the global community. Existing collaborative networks will be viewed positively.

Requirements

A doctoral degree in a discipline relevant for this position (e.g. spatial planning, transportation engineering, architecture, geography) is a prerequisite for the position. Well-developed collaboration skills and an excellent command of English are essential. The evaluation of applicants will be based on their excellence and future potential in scientific research and teaching, as well as their active role within national and international networks.

Scientific awards and recognitions, along with experience in acquiring and applying for funding, preferably academic competitive funding, are considered important advantages. Interdisciplinary research activities, roles in research organizations, pedagogical studies, student supervision, and cooperation with the public and private sectors and NGOs are also considered advantageous.

What we offer

Aalto University offers the opportunity to work within a well-resourced learning community where students are rigorously selected and highly motivated. According to our strategy, Aalto University aims to shape a sustainable future through research-based knowledge, creativity, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Our core values are responsibility, courage, and collaboration.

The entry salary will be defined according to Aalto University's salary system, taking account of the applicant's experience and qualifications. Aalto University provides its employees with occupational healthcare services. A start-up package can be negotiated with the Dean.

Finland offers a safe and healthy environment for living, with excellent state-subsidized services including affordable day care, healthcare, and free schools that are ranked among the best in the world. Finland has consistently been ranked as the happiest country in the world for the past six years according to the UN study in 2023. Finland is one of the world's most reliable, stable and safe countries. With significant investments in R&D, a strong innovation culture, open data, and advanced digitalization, Finland is a nation of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Nordic values of equality and cooperation are deeply rooted in our society. Gender equality, flexibility, and low hierarchy form the core of our Nordic working environment. For more information about living and working in Finland, see: https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/for-international-staff.

Ready to apply?

Please submit your application through our recruitment system by 26 May 2024 (23:59 (UTC+3)). A link to the recruitment system can be found at the end of this job advertisement (“Apply now!”). (Please note: Aalto University’s employees should apply for the position via internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs) by using their existing Workday user account (not via the external webpage for open positions).

The application material for the tenure track position includes:

• Cover letter including a summary of merits, most important achievements, and motivation for the position (max 2 pages)

• Curriculum vitae (with contact information, see recommendation about cv at https://www.tenk.fi/sites/tenk.fi/files/TENK_CV_template.pdf) (max 2 pages)

• Complete list of publications

• Five most significant publications, to be submitted in full-text electronic form

• Research portfolio, describing the applicant’s previous research, his/her future research plans, and an overview of emerging issues in the field (max 5 pages)

• Teaching portfolio, presenting competence, experience and professional development of teaching, supported with reflection, self-evaluation and evidence. See instructions: https://www.aalto.fi/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/2024-04/Teaching-competence-assessment_Guidelines-for-a-candidate_2024_Aalto-University.pdf

• Names and contact information of 2-4 referees

All material should be submitted in English. The documents are to be submitted in PDF format and the file names are to follow the format: document name_lastname_firstname.pdf (e.g., coverletter_lastname_firstname.pdf).

The general instructions and evaluation criteria for applicants, including language requirements and guidelines for compiling the application material, are given online as well: https://www.aalto.fi/en/tenure-track/interested-in-joining-our-tenure-track.

Aalto University will use external reviewers to support the evaluation of applicants during the recruitment process. Based on the application materials and external evaluations, the Departmental Committee will choose the most suitable applicants to visit the Department of Built Environment and deliver teaching demonstrations.

For more Information, please contact Head of Department Raine Mäntysalo, (raine.mantysalo[@]aalto.fi). For questions related to the recruitment process, please contact HR Partner Sanni Mero (sanni.mero[@]aalto.fi).

Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, to extend the application period and to consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.

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Tenure track in Aalto University

The tenure track is open to talented individuals who have excellent potential for a scientific career. Individuals placed on the Aalto University professorial tenure track have the possibility to advance in their career through regular performance assessments. Launched in 2010, the tenure track has attracted a wide range of international applicants, giving Aalto University the possibility of recruiting top experts and young research talent to join the Aalto University community. Further details about Aalto University’s tenure track system can be found at https://www.aalto.fi/en/tenure-track/tenure-track-career-path.

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