Associate Professor (Tenure Track, level 2) of Sustainable Naturecultures

The University of Lapland invites applications for a Tenure Track (Level 2) Associate Professor position in Sustainable Naturecultures, located in the Faculty of Social Sciences. We are seeking for an outstanding scholar to join and help lead our internationally recognized Sustainable Naturecultures and Multispecies Futures (SuMu) research community. At the University of Lapland, you will work at the forefront of globally significant questions concerning human-environment relations in the Arctic and beyond. SuMu offers a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment where social sciences, humanities, Indigenous and education studies, and artistic research meet. This is a unique opportunity to shape cutting-edge research in a rapidly evolving field, contribute to globally relevant debates on sustainability, multispecies coexistence, and planetary futures, and build an internationally visible research profile in a supportive tenure track system. The position is filled with a fixed term of five years. Before the end of the fixed term, an evaluation process will be initiated to assess whether the employee meets the qualifications for a professorship. Your duties include designing and leading high-quality research projects focusing on sustainable naturecultures, conducting top-level research in the field of human-environment relationality, participating in international publishing activities, coordinating research community activities, strengthening external research funding, participating in societal interaction and international cooperation, providing research-based teaching and guidance, and being an active part of a vibrant academic community. We offer engagement with a thriving research community, interesting work tasks, security provided by a stable organization, modern work tools, opportunities for professional development, support from a team of experts, comprehensive occupational health care, and sports, culture, and wellness benefits. We expect the appointee to possess the education, experience, and language skills required to perform the duties successfully, including a relevant doctoral degree, a strong record of internationally recognized scientific research, and demonstrable teaching competence. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to conduct high-quality, theoretically informed, and methodologically robust research, especially in the field of sustainable naturecultures and human-environment relationality. A deep understanding of contemporary social scientific approaches, capacity to lead research groups, secure external funding, and collaborate internationally is essential. Excellent social and communication skills are necessary. The candidate is expected to supervise students, contribute to education development, and participate actively in academic leadership and societal engagement. The position requires excellent command of English and proficiency in Finnish or a strong commitment to learn it within five years. The assessment will be based on scientific merits, impact, teaching, research funding success, leadership, and societal engagement. The Tenure Track system offers a structured career path towards a full professorship based on academic merit and supports the university's strategic research profile. More information is available in the appointment plan. The application must include a cover letter, CV, teaching portfolio, list of publications, 10 key publications, and a development plan.