Professor of Strategic Legal Design

The University of Vaasa is an inspiring and international community where we work together for a sustainable and responsible future... We are now inviting applications for an Associate Professor (tenure track) or Professor position in Strategic Legal Design. The position will be filled either as a fixed-term Associate Professor or permanent Full Professor position under the tenure track system. Job description and requirements The scope of the position is connected to the rapidly developing international field of Legal Design research... The position is located within the discipline of Business Law, and its research activities are integrated into the Business Law and information research group. The specific area of expertise of the position is Strategic Legal Design, focusing on the development of legally sustainable operating models, tools, and governance mechanisms that support business, as well as strengthening the strategic role of law in organizational decision-making. The position is research-oriented, but also includes supervision of doctoral dissertations and other theses, teaching, applying for external research funding and participating in funded projects, as well as administrative duties within the university. Teaching and supervision are primarily directed toward the Doctoral Programme in Business Studies and the Bachelor’s and Master’s studies in Business Law. In terms of teaching duties, the focus is on the Strategic Legal Design doctoral pathway within Business Law. A central purpose of the position is to supervise doctoral candidates, coordinate the overall structure of the pathway, and serve as its lead, supported by other professors in the discipline. Regarding the basic studies in Business Law, Legal Design is being developed to comprehensively cover the discipline... The language of instruction in bachelor and master level studies is Finnish. Pedagogically, the position emphasizes research supervision, particularly the supervision of doctoral dissertations. Therefore, the job description places corresponding emphasis on prior supervisory experience. Given the central role of supervision in this position, preference is given to applicants qualified at the level of Associate Professor or Full Professor. The position strongly integrates research and business practice. Practical familiarity with the field and experience in legal practice therefore significantly supports the applicant’s suitability for the role and are considered an advantage. However, practical experience in the field is not required for appointment. The research related to the position is also linked to the University of Vaasa's strategic focus areas of business renewal, energy transition and societal transformation. Applicants are required to have a relevant doctoral degree and, in addition, excellent academic credentials, a proven track record of producing outstanding research, and evidence of high-quality teaching or the potential to do so. Salary and benefits We offer comprehensive occupational health services, sports and cultural benefits, and plenty of opportunities for continuous learning. Work-life balance matters to us – we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly remotely. The salary is based on both the job requirement and the employee’s personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System (YPJ), but you may also state your own salary request. Each University of Vaasa employee automatically belongs to a pension scheme and the majority part of the pension contributions is paid by the employer. We also have a versatile reward system in use. If you are moving to Finland from abroad, relocation services are available. Applications The application period is open until midnight (Finnish time, EEST) August 11th, 2026. Further information The position is located in Vaasa, Finland. Starting date: January 2027 or as agreed. The appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a trial period of 6 months.