Giellagas institute is seeking a professor of Saami languages

We are now looking for a PROFESSOR OF SAAMI LANGUAGES to strengthen our expertise.

The Saami Languages subject is part of the Giellagas Institute of the Faculty of Humanities. In addition to the professor, there are two university lecturers and three university teachers as well as temporary university teachers in the Saami Languages subject (Inari Saami, North Saami and Skolt Saami).

Job description

The Giellagas Institute has been very successful in international evaluations of the quality of research. Currently, the key research areas of Saami Languages are the study of the structure of the language, language contacts, language history, onomastics and the revival of the Saami languages. The Giellagas Institute has traditionally emphasised cooperation with the Saami language communities in the fields of teaching and language planning.

The job consists of scientific research, its development and management, postgraduate education, research-based teaching and its development, thesis guidance, international and national cooperation, societal influence and other university community tasks within a total working time of 1,612 hours and an annual working time plan to be agreed upon. The research and teaching tasks are related to both the Saami languages and Saami culture.

Selection criteria

We require of you

• a doctorate
• a high level of scientific competence
• experience in leading scientific research
• the ability to provide and develop high-quality research-based teaching and to direct theses, and evidence of international and national cooperation in your field of research
• skills to act as an academic leader
• excellent knowledge of at least one Saami language
• fluent Finnish and English language skills.
• knowledge of Saami culture.

We expect strong research evidence from at least one area and sufficient evidence from another area of Saami languages research. We appreciate your expertise and experience in external research funding acquisition, research project and group management, international networking, interdisciplinary and/or multidisciplinary research and development cooperation, as well as teaching, postgraduate training and thesis guidance. In addition, we consider evidence of societal influence and the popularisation of science as merits.

Attach a research and teaching development plan to your application. It should apply to the major in Saami Languages and its connection to the Saami Culture subject as well as to the Degree Programme in Languages and Literature in the Faculty of Humanities. In addition, you can present the connection of your plan to the research and teaching strategy (<https://www.oulu.fi/sites/default/files/content/Humanistinen_strat_2020_A4_fi-ja-eng_valmis%20%28002%29.pdf>) and profiling projects of the Faculty of Humanities, as well as possible new, rising research trends.

The eligibility requirements are defined in the University of Oulu Education Regulations that entered into force on 1 January 2016.

We offer you

We offer you the opportunity to be involved in meaningful work whose impact on society is reflected locally, nationally and globally. You will get to build future competence in the field of Saami Culture, which can contribute to the strengthening and well-being of both the field and Saami communities. In addition, you will gain access to the benefits of a large organisation to develop your own competence and will work in a comfortable working environment with the support of an experienced community. We also offer you modern equipment, the possibility for flexible multiple location work and comprehensive sports and cultural benefits.

Salary

The position is on the requirement level 8–9 for teaching and research staff of the salary system of the University. In addition, a personal performance-based salary component is paid, up to a maximum of 50% of the position-specific salary component. At the beginning of your employment, your monthly salary will be approximately EUR 5,800 to EUR 6,500. The employment contract is valid indefinitely, and the position will be filled as of 1 January 2023 or according to contract. A probationary period of six months will apply.

Application instructions

Submit your application and attachments in English to the recruitment system no later than 31 March 2022. Attach the following to your application:

1. Motivation letter (max. 2 pages) summarising the relevant experience and knowledge, and a description of why you are applying for this position and why you should be chosen.
2. Curriculum vitae (max. 10 pages), which must follow the guidelines of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK): < https://tenk.fi/en/advice-and-materials/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae>.
3. Publication list, preferably with DOI tags, the structure of which must follow the guidelines related to publication categories of the Academy of Finland: https://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply-for-funding/az-index-of-application-guidelines2/list-of-publications/.

Indicate ten publications most relevant for the position.

1. Brief description of research merits (max. 2 pages)
2. Brief description of teaching merits or teaching portfolio (max. 4 pages), outlined as follows:
   1. Teaching philosophy and characterisation of yourself as a teacher
      • Philosophy behind teaching, personal teaching mindset and how this is reflected in teaching work. A description of yourself as a teacher and a performer of teaching.
   2. Practical experience gained in teaching and the development of teaching
   3. Production and use of study materials
   4. Maintaining your teaching competence
   5. Feedback from teaching (student reviews, peer reviews, awards and approved teacher work samples)
   6. Vision for developing teaching
      • The applicant briefly explains their plans for the development of their own teaching and teacher work in the near future.
3. Description of research funding acquired (max. 2 pages)
4. Short research and teaching development plan in the field of Saami languages (max. 3 pages)

Selection process

The selection follows the University of Oulu recruitment guidelines. The selection process is prepared by a designated preparation group, and a publication analysis is carried out on the basis of the lists of publications submitted by the applicants. For the best applicants, an external, academic expert evaluation will be carried out. The evaluation will examine the following evidence:

• Scientific activities and their reflection on publishing activities, scientific presentations and acknowledgements and awards
• Teaching merits and their evaluation (teaching portfolio, including assessments by students)
• Guidance of degree and doctoral students
• Acquisition of competitive funding
• National and international networks
• Academic and social significance and potential of the activities

The most deserving applicants may be invited to give a sample of their teaching work on a subject to be decided separately in the field of the job applied for, and an event can be arranged for them to present orally their views on the development of the tasks belonging to the position.

Further information

For more information, please contact Anni-Siiri Länsman, Director of the Giellagas Institute, anni-siiri.lansman@oulu.fi, tel. +358 40 518 3781, and Dean Paula Rossi paula.rossi@oulu.fi, tel. +358 50 350 6609.