Professor of Practice

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences together form Finland's second largest multidisciplinary, inspiring and impactful research and learning community. Our core expertise is in technology, health and society. Read more: www.tuni.fi We are looking for a Professor of Practice in growth and commercialization for a fixed-term and part-time position starting November 1, 2026 (or by agreement). The task of the Professor of Practice is to strengthen the growth capacity, commercialization expertise and customer-oriented value creation of Finnish companies through teaching, research and corporate cooperation. We are looking for an experienced and solution-oriented professional with a broad understanding of marketing, customer-oriented business and related issues of commercialization and growth. The position requires the ability to combine practical business experience, research thinking and effective cooperation with companies. The position responds to a key challenge of the Finnish economy: Finland's economic growth has been slow over the last decade, and market uncertainty has led to caution instead of renewal in many places. Productivity development has been weaker than in peer countries, investment growth has been modest, and the number of new internationally scalable companies has not been sufficient to compensate for the structural change of traditional industries. At the same time, public finances are structurally in deficit and the aging population increases the financing pressure on the welfare state. Finland's well-being is based on high expertise, exports and the ability of companies to create new value in international markets. This requires the willingness and ability to take controlled risks to grow and renew operations. Without significantly stronger growth, more ambitious commercialization and more systematic customer-oriented business expertise, Finland will not be able to secure current welfare services, invest in research and education or maintain its competitiveness in the global economy. Finland needs a new phase of growth. Building it requires stronger expertise than currently to accelerate growth. The role of the Professor of Practice is part of this whole. The position is located in the Faculty of Management and Economics, unit of Business Economics at Tampere University. Business Economics is a bold unit practicing versatile business education and research in a multidisciplinary faculty. A business degree completed at Tampere University provides a broad foundation for demanding expert and leadership positions in business life and economics in a digitizing and international operating environment. Our research activities produce information serving future needs related to business, management and economics. Job Description The Professor of Practice position is located in the Business Economics unit and is implemented in close cooperation with the actors of the Faculty of Management and Economics. Special areas of cooperation are the faculty's new openings: industrial sales, value-creating risk management and the experience economy. The detailed content of the Professor of Practice's task will be agreed upon based on the selected person's expertise and experience. The task may include in particular the following entities: - planning and implementation of teaching in growth, commercialization and customer-oriented business - promoting new research openings especially in the areas of corporate growth strategies, customer value creation, marketing and commercialization processes and the development of business models - development of work-life-based pedagogical solutions, such as case teaching, company projects, guest lectures and mentoring - strengthening students' work-life readiness, entrepreneurship skills and business thinking - building, maintaining and utilizing company and stakeholder networks in support of teaching, research and societal interaction - participation in the planning and implementation of continuous learning services relevant to the field of the task - strengthening the faculty's visibility and societal impact through expert tasks, seminars, corporate cooperation and public discussion in key themes for the task. Requirements - Suitable doctoral degree or exceptionally high-level expertise in the field - Particularly significant merits achieved in positions in the business community, public sector or third sector, which are beneficial for the university's teaching, research and societal service task - Extensive experience in business operations - Excellent Finnish and English language skills - Strong presentation skills Considered an advantage: - Experience in strategic management of marketing - Evidence of creating and developing functioning cooperation networks - Visible national or international activity in the field of the task We Offer The position is filled for three years starting November 1, 2026 or by agreement. Part-time is 40% or by agreement. A 6-month probationary period according to the Employment Contracts Act applies. The position has a contract salary with a starting level of approx. 6,500 euros/month in a full-time position. Details of the employment relationship will be agreed with the selected person. We offer the opportunity to work in an active and innovative work community. Our personnel benefits include flexible working possibilities, affordable campus restaurants on all campuses and support for personnel's cultural and sports hobbies. Application Instructions Submit your application via the university's electronic application form. The application period ends August 21, 2026 at 23:59. Attach the following to your application in PDF format: - CV - Motivation letter containing a summary of merits and activities significant for the Professor of Practice position and a description of the applicant's suitability for the position. After the application period, the most suitable candidates will be invited for interviews. We use the direct search service of MPS Career Oy as an aid in recruitment. Further information about the position can be provided by: Dean, Professor Marko Seppänen, marko.seppanen@tuni.fi, Head of the Business Economics unit, Professor Hannu Saarijärvi, hannu.saarijarvi@tuni.fi, For questions related to the recruitment process, HR expert Anni Zilliacus, anni.zilliacus@tuni.fi (available 23.6 - 8.7 and 11.8 - 21.8)