Position Description

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, invites applications for the position of

UNIVERSITY INSTRUCTOR IN MATHEMATICS

for a permanent appointment starting between February-April 2026.  The employment includes a six-month trial period.

The instructor will be attached to the Liberal Arts and Sciences Bachelor’s Programme currently under preparation at the University and launching in Fall semester 2026. This programme, led by the Faculty of Arts, joins together the faculties of Arts, Social Sciences, Science, Agriculture and Forestry, and Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki for its first broadly interdisciplinary international bachelor’s degree.

The recruit will have the unique opportunity to take part in designing and delivering a programme first of its kind at the University and in Finland. The pedagogical guideline for the programme is that through being exposed to, and needing to integrate diverse disciplinary outlooks, students will learn (alongside disciplinary skills) broadly useful meta-skills of interdisciplinary contextualisation, analysis, problem-solving and critical thinking.

The recruit will be responsible for planning and teaching bachelor level introductory courses in mathematics and statistics. The language of the teaching is English. The courses will primarily be those included in the Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) programme but they also include suitable courses offered or shared with other Bachelor’s programmes in which the Department of Mathematics and Statistics participates, such as the interdisciplinary Bachelor`s Programme in Science offered in English.  In addition to the abovementioned courses, other responsibilities involve bachelor thesis supervision and student mentoring, as well as coordinating activities with other faculties and study programmes involved with the LAS programme.

The abovementioned courses will include both on-site and remote teaching implementations, as determined by the study programme offering the course. Additionally, the role involves administrative duties related to these tasks. This is a teaching position without expectation of, or time reserved for, scientific research.

Requirements for the position and assessment of qualifications

The appointee to the position of university instructor shall hold a Master´s degree in mathematics or mathematical statistics, or a similar applicable degree. An applicable doctoral degree is considered to be an asset. In addition, the University Instructor is expected to have teaching experience and good teaching skills (assessed according to the guidelines of the Faculty of Science, please see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-science/faculty/assessment-teaching-skills). When assessing the applicants, pedagogical training and the ability to produce learning material and provide diverse teaching is particularly appreciated.

The appointee for this position must possess a high level of proficiency in English. While proficiency in Finnish and Swedish is not mandatory, it is considered a benefit, and we encourage all members of the university community to commit to enhancing their skills in these languages. The university provides support, including a structured language learning path, for those interested in improving their proficiency in Finnish and Swedish. Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills are considered advantageous for applicants.

What we offer

The University of Helsinki offers a first-class teaching and research environment as well as a vibrant international working community (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/why-university-helsinki ). A diverse and equitable study and work culture is important to us. That is why we do our best to promote an inclusive university community. Click this link to read about accessibility and inclusivity at our university.

The salary for the position will be based on level 5 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research staff in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The appointee’s annual gross salary will range from €48,000 to €54,000, depending on their previous experience and qualifications.

The University of Helsinki provides its staff with occupational health and fitness services as well as professional development opportunities (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/why-university-helsinki/staff-benefits). We support the compatibility of work and family life, e.g., providing an opportunity for 6 weeks of paid annual leave. International staff are supported in relocating to Finland (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/welcome-finland-information-arriving-staff).

Finland is a member of the European Union, has high quality free schooling (also in English) and generous family benefits and healthcare. The Helsinki region feature leading research and innovation facilities, clean environment, affordable accommodation, and excellent international, national, and local transport connections. For more information, check living in Finland.

Application instructions

The University of Helsinki is committed to promoting equality and preventing discrimination in all its operations. We welcome applicants from a variety of gender identities, linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Application shall be submitted trough the University of Helsinki´s recruitment system at https://jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki-University-Instructor-in-Mathematics/1332240557/. Applications must be accompanied by a single PDF file containing the following documents:

• A curriculum vitae, including also your teaching and supervision experience (max. 3 pages).
• A cover letter describing your suitability for the position and motivation to apply for it (max. 2 pages).  In particular, specify how your previous achievements and experience support the teaching of introductory courses in mathematics and statistics.

Other attachments, such as letters of recommendation or certificates, are not required at this point.

The closing date for applications is December 15^th, 2025 (at 23:59 UTC + 2).

Further information about the position is available from Professor Jani Lukkarinen, (jani.lukkarinen(at)helsinki.fi), and about the recruitment process, from HR Specialist Jussi Hartikainen, (jussi.a.hartikainen(at)helsinki.fi).

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The University of Helsinki, founded in 1640, is one of the world’s leading universities for multidisciplinary research. The university has an international academic community of 40,000 students and staff members. It operates on four campuses in Helsinki and at 15 other locations.

As part of the Faculty of Science, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics of the University of Helsinki is the biggest university department of mathematical sciences in Finland. The department hosts several current ERC grants of the European Research Council and two Centres of Excellence of the Research Council of Finland.