The Faculty of Mathematics and Science is seeking to recruit an Assistant or Associate Professor (Tenure Track), Theoretical Materials Physics, starting 1 September 2025 or as agreed. The position of an assistant professor is for a fixed term of 3-5 years, and of an associate professor is for a fixed term of five years (according to the tenure track model at the University of Jyväskylä). At the conclusion of the fixed-term assignment, there will be an evaluation procedure to assess the employee's qualifications for promotion from the assistant level to the associate level, and from the associate level to the Full Professor position (permanent).
This recruitment is aimed at strengthening research and teaching in nanomaterials and quantum technology in the Department of Physics and in the Nanoscience Center (NSC) by bringing quantum computing into the toolbox of materials simulations. The position would hence complement the already strong computational nanoscience expertise within the Nanoscience Center along with contributing to the research in quantum technology which is one of the three NSC focus areas. The department of physics participates in the Finnish Quantum Flagship funded by the Research Council of Finland and will join the Finnish Quantum Institute, InstituteQ before summer 2025. The appointed Assistant or Associate professor will be integrated into the Flagship’s and InstituteQ’s activities.
Who we are looking for
The responsibilities of an Assistant/Associate Professor include internationally high-level research, teaching and student supervision at all levels.
The appointed Assistant/Associate Professor is expected to lead and develop research and teaching on quantum simulations of materials at the Department of Physics and the Nanoscience Center, focusing on topics with connection to the research of existing experimental and/or theoretical groups, which include for example simulations of large molecules, biomolecules, nanoparticles, light-matter interactions or solid-state systems with strong correlations, such as superconducting or topological materials. Another important task for this position is to educate the existing Department of Physics and/or NSC computational groups on the possibilities of using quantum algorithms in their simulation tasks. We expect the applicant to have strong experience on quantum computing and/or quantum inspired classical algorithms targeted to such simulations, along with expertise in simulating one or more of the target groups of materials. The applicant should also have experience in research collaborations, research leadership (especially in associate professor level), teaching and supervising students at different levels and obtaining external funding. Pedagogical training, cross-disciplinary collaborations, experience in outreach activities, and industrial collaborations are considered an advantage. These merits are evaluated considering the career stage.
The Department of Physics researchers have access to LUMI, one of the most powerful classical supercomputers in the world, maintained by the Finnish IT Center for Science (CSC). They will also have access to the present and future Finnish quantum computers, the latest one including 50 superconducting qubits. It is also possible to use any other quantum computer available to European researchers, such as the ones by IBM. The appointed Assistant/Associate Professor isexpected to establish and maintain good connections and/or network involving international quantum computing providers and stakeholders. The appointed Assistant/Associate professor is expected to establish cross-disciplinary collaborations within the Nanoscience Center groups and other Jyväskylä quantum technology groups, and also to the global quantum community.
The teaching responsibilities of an Assistant/Associate Professor include lectures and other courses in physics rangingfrom basic courses to postgraduate ones. The Assistant/Associate Professor is expected to advise students and supervise theses at the bachelor, master, and postgraduate levels, and participate in the continuous development of education within the department. The responsibilities of an Associate Professor also include various departmental duties.
The duties and qualification requirements of an Assistant/Associate Professor are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines . Candidates should have an excellent record of conducting and publishing scientific research, establishing international networks, acquiring external funding, and teaching. Please see the general requirements for appointing an assistant professor or associate professor (tenure track) . The qualification requirements should be met before the closing time of this call. A trial period of six months will be used in the beginning of the employment.
Please note that candidates for the position of Assistant Professor must have completed a doctoral degree within the last nine years. Special circumstances (e.g. parental leave and childcare leave, military service / nonmilitary service, or long-term illness) extend the nine-year rule accordingly.
Benefits
At the University of Jyväskylä, you are a recognized member of our community with a unique opportunity to influence international research. You get to participate in our international and multidisciplinary community where the welfare of each individual is important. At the University of Jyväskylä, we offer a great and lively campus area with opportunities to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.
Finland has a high standard of living, with free schooling (also in English), affordable childcare, good family benefits, and healthcare. Jyväskylä is located in central Finland in the Finnish lakeland and has excellent opportunities for different nature, outdoor, and sports activities. The city of Jyväskylä is a major educational center and the city has a large student population. As such there is a vibrant cultural scene in the city. To find useful information about the University of Jyväskylä, the City of Jyväskylä and living in Finland, see the University's International Staff Guide .
After signing the employment contract, a personal career plan is made for you. The career plan specifies the objectives, intermediate milestones and evaluation criteria of the tenure track period. Your personal career plan helps you clarify your goals, and you will receive regular feedback on your work in the initial and follow-up discussions. JYU's starting grant for new tenure track -professors enables a smooth start. The start-up funding is up to 60 000 euros. Applications will be assessed taking into account the need for start-up funding to ensure the effective launch of the research activity, which must be justified in the application, see more details on page . We will also support your progress through mentoring, training and other support activities needed. Career path progression is based on an overall assessment of a person's progress. If you are moving from abroad, we will support your move to Jyväskylä and Finland. With its location among the forests and lakes of Central Finland, Jyväskylä offers a safe environment to live and work. Finnish society offers many benefits to families with children, and as a researcher living in Jyväskylä you will be able to balance work and personal life.
After signing the employment contract, a personal career plan is made for you. The career plan specifies the objectives, intermediate milestones and evaluation criteria of the tenure track period. Your personal career plan helps you clarify your goals, and you will receive regular feedback on your work in the initial and follow-up discussions. JYU's starting grant for new tenure track -professors enables a smooth start. The start-up funding is up to 60 000 euros. Applications will be assessed taking into account the need for start-up funding to ensure the effective launch of the research activity, which must be justified in the application, see more details on page . We will also support your progress through mentoring, training and other support activities needed. Career path progression is based on an overall assessment of a person's progress. If you are moving from abroad, we will support your move to Jyväskylä and Finland. With its location among the forests and lakes of Central Finland, Jyväskylä offers a safe environment to live and work. Finnish society offers many benefits to families with children, and as a researcher living in Jyväskylä you will be able to balance work and personal life.
Salaries are based on job demands and employees’ performance following the Finnish University Salary System. A holiday bonus is paid to all employees. The starting gross salary will be between 4100—4800 EUR/month at the assistant level and between 4700–5500 EUR/month at the associate level depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate.
How to apply
Please make sure that your ORCID-profile (https://orcid.org ) works: your publications are listed and public (Set visibility: Everyone). You cannot apply to this job without an ORCID profile.
The application documents that should be included in English and in PDF format:
Applicants are kindly asked to submit their applications using the online application form by 7 May 2025. Applications sent via email are not considered.
For further information, please contact the Head of the Department, Professor Timo Sajavaara, timo.sajavaara@jyu.fi .
We offer good working conditions for researchers and promote the principles of HR Excellence in Research, HRS4R . The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is based on the values of the European Charter for Researchers & The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code). JYU is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions, and undertakes the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland . JYU has signed the DORA Declaration . By signing the agreement, JYU is committed to complying with the CoARA principles.
Our application process is transparent, professional and international. We communicate openly with the applicants throughout the recruitment process. All appointment decisions are based on careful consideration within the faculty as well as reviews by external experts. We value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage qualified applicants, regardless of background, to apply for this position.
A personal security clearance may be conducted on the selected candidate with their consent (Security Clearance Act 726/2014). More information about the security clearance process and the rights of the subject can be found here .