Open professor position (full/associate/assistant) in Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Helsinki. Apply by: 15.2.2026 (23.59 Europe/Helsinki time)
JOB DESCRIPTION
Applicants should demonstrate a capacity to contribute to anthropological scholarship at the highest level. Social and Cultural Anthropology at UH has a strong research environment for political economy, ethics and morality, cognitive anthropology, environment and sustainability, location and borders, and linguistic anthropology. Thematic specialisation for this position is open, but we are particularly interested in candidates specialising in political and environmental questions.
Anthropology at UH is known for its diverse regional expertise and emphasis on ethnographic research. We are looking for candidates with strong regional expertise grounded in extensive ethnographic research. All regional specializations are welcome, consideration will be given to how a candidate’s expertise complements and enriches the regional profile of the current faculty, which can be found here.
The successful candidate will conduct internationally recognised research and contribute to teaching at all levels in the relevant degree programmes.
Key Responsibilities:
• Conduct high-quality research
• Teach and supervise students at the doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s levels
• Contribute to curriculum development
• Develop research initiatives and apply for external funding
• Contribute to an active and vibrant research environment for Anthropology at UH
• Develop national and international research collaborations and networks
• Contribute to public engagement and societal impact
• Contribute to administration in the discipline of Social and Cultural Anthropology, degree programmes, and the Faculty of Social Sciences
QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate shall have a doctorate in social or cultural anthropology or a cognate discipline clearly grounded in the discipline of anthropology. The doctoral degree requirement must be met by the end of the application deadline.
15.2.2026
An appointee to the position of assistant/associate professor in the tenure track system shall hold a doctoral degree and have the ability to conduct independent scholarly work as well as the teaching skills required for the position. In addition, the appointee shall have the capacity and potential to pursue an academic career at a high level, as demonstrated by publications and other means.
In assessing the applicants’ qualifications, attention shall be paid to scientific publications and research, teaching experience and qualifications, international experience and collaborations, and success in the acquisition of external research funding.
An appointee to the position of professor shall hold a doctoral degree and have high-level academic qualifications; experience in leading scientific research; the ability to provide research-based teaching and supervise dissertations and theses; as well as evidence of international cooperation in the research field they represent. The appointee shall also have academic leadership skills.
When considering the applicant’s qualifications, attention shall be given to scientific publications and other research results of scientific value, teaching experience and pedagogical training, the ability to produce teaching material, other teaching merits and, if necessary, a demonstration of teaching skills as well as the applicant’s participation in doctoral education. Account shall also be taken of the applicants’ activity in the international scientific community, success in obtaining external research funding, international research experience and international elected positions as well as leadership and interaction skills.
To successfully attend to the duties of the position, the appointee must have good English skills. If the appointee is not proficient in Finnish or Swedish, the appointee is expected to acquire moderate proficiency within a reasonable time after the appointment. Support for language studies will be offered.
The appointee is expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki. The Faculty of Social Sciences provides assistance in relocation.
The assessment of each applicant will be based on the following criteria:
• Scholarly publications
• Success in obtaining external research funding
• International research experience
• Activities in the academic community
• Teaching experience, supervision of dissertations and theses, and other pedagogical merits
• Leadership and interaction skills
• The applicant’s vision for developing the field and its research agenda
• How the candidate’s regional expertise complements and enriches the regional profile of the current faculty at Social and Cultural Anthropology, UH
• How the candidate’s thematic specialization fits the priorities described in the job description
• The statements of external evaluators
• The applicant’s teaching demonstration
• The interview with the applicant