University Teacher or University Lecturer in Design and Manufacturing Technology

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 16,000 students and 5,200 employees, including 446 professors. Our campus is in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community. The Aalto School of Arts, Design and Architecture (ARTS) is a Nordic leader in higher education for design, fashion, games, media, architecture, film, art education and fine art. We produce world-class research, for example in design, digital media and visual culture, art education, urban planning and architecture. Our graduates innovate in and beyond their fields, drawing on over a century of tradition, a humane and forward-looking approach, and the latest technologies. The Department of Design is a diverse community of competent, creative and responsible individuals. In design, we appreciate technical skill, social significance and artistic expression. The department educates leading design professionals and visionaries for established, changing and emerging fields. We renew our expertise through high-level research in continuous collaboration with stakeholders and partners. We strive towards a sustainable and just society and environment. The faculty consists of 20 lecturers and 20 professors. Nearly 800 students can study product, service and experimental design, textile and fashion design, co-design, design leadership, design research and sustainable development towards Bachelor's, Master's and Doctor's degrees. The Department of Design is looking for a University Teacher or University Lecturer in Design and Manufacturing Technology who has rich practical experience of manufacturing designs in an industrial context and a strong interest in educating future designers. Your role and goals In this position, you are responsible for educating students in turning design concepts into prototypes that can be industrially manufactured with mature and emerging technologies. This includes manufacturing techniques relevant to product design, such as designing and mechanically engineering an injection-moulded plastic product to be ready for production; CAD and CAM software in an industrial context; and the basics of prototyping, including model making. In addition to teaching, duties typically include participating in the development of teaching, design activities and research at the Department of Design. You will participate in the guidance and assessment of student assignments and theses and take part in the intake of new students when needed. Your network and team You will mainly work with the Department of Design lecturers and professors; students in the Bachelor's Programme in Design and Fashion, whose programme language is Finnish and Swedish, although teaching is also possible in English; students in the Bachelor's Programme in Design and Media, whose programme language is English; students in the Master's Programme in Design, whose programme languages are English, Finnish and Swedish; workshop masters; and university administrative staff. Your experience and ambitions The ideal candidate has rich experience communicating with designers, understanding design intents and seeing them through to realization; is interested in bridging industrial practices with design education, for example by bringing design projects and industrial partners into courses; can teach industrial manufacturing processes for scaled production as well as some one-off prototyping skills; is able to apply digital fabrication knowledge in collaboration with digital modelling teachers; and has experience in curriculum design and development of teaching. Requirements for this position are a master's degree in design or a relevant field; a documented track record in design practice, in industry or manufacturing contexts; a strong interest in teaching design students practical skills as well as guiding theses; and proficiency in English. The following are considered advantages: experience in university-level teaching; proficiency in Finnish and/or Swedish; research and other merits relevant to the field of the lectureship; and documented pedagogic training. What we offer We offer a responsible and meaningful role with true impact in the Department of Design’s success and in the wellbeing and development of society. You have the opportunity to work in a dynamic, world-class community of creative professionals and researchers committed to exploring the frontiers of design practice and research. For hands-on projects, we have well-equipped workshops, including 3D printing, a laser cutter, mechatronics, solid materials, ceramics and glass, for building prototypes from different materials. Aalto University’s professional-development opportunities allow you to grow and learn, with the chance to participate actively in staff training and development projects based on your interests and needs. We value work-life balance and wellbeing in all aspects of life. We work in a hybrid model, with the primary workplace at the Otaniemi Campus in Espoo, Finland. To apply, share the following documents through our recruitment site (“Apply now!”) by 23:59 EET on 22 October 2026: a design-practice portfolio of no more than six relevant projects describing your role and their relevance to this call (maximum file size 5 MB); a motivation letter including your vision for the field; a TENK-compliant CV; and a teaching portfolio according to Aalto guidelines. Aalto University employees should apply through the internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs) using their existing Workday account, not through the external open-positions webpage. Students and visitors should apply with a personal email address, not an aalto.fi address. For questions about the role, contact Senior University Lecturer Heidi Paavilainen at heidi.paavilainen(at) aalto.fi. For questions about the application process, contact katju.helminen(at)aalto.fi.