Assistant/Associate Professor of Food Science

University of Helsinki

The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry invites applications for the position of tenure track Assistant / Associate professor in Food design. The position is based at the Department of Food and Nutrition.

The position may be filled as a tenure track assistant professor or tenure track associate professor depending on the candidate’s merits and career stage. Information about our tenure track system: University of Helsinki tenure track. The goal of the tenure track is to advance to a permanent professor position.

Food science provides the ability to produce safe, tasty, and accessible food under changing conditions and is accordingly a key research and teaching field. The raw materials and the food produced from them must be chemically, physically, and microbiologically safe and nutritionally of high quality. Food must be logistically accessible, affordable, and user-friendly. The flavour and user experience of food must meet consumer expectations, and food production must be sustainable. This requires in-depth knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of raw materials and food, production technologies, and how these relate to the sensory properties, safety, and usability of food.

Job Description

The associate/assistant professor will strengthen the research and teaching of food sciences and related fields within the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. The appointee must have diverse knowledge of food design to create high-quality, sustainable, and safe food solutions. The position focuses on the fields of food chemistry (chemical safety), food technology, food processing technology, sensory and consumer research. The appointee should have comprehensive expertise in research methods based on the aforementioned fields and appropriate evidence of research activities that relate to future sustainable food systems. The appointee must have extensive knowledge of the food sector and the technologies used in it, as well as sufficient experience in the food industry, legislation, and the specific characteristics of food production in local and international contexts.

The associate/assistant professor is expected to promote the development of multidisciplinary methods and solutions to support a sustainable and profitable food system and future food security. The appointee must have demonstrable research experience in at least two of the following themes:

  • Food design, which may combine, for example, design, natural sciences, food sciences, food culture, and nutrition to create food and food experiences.
  • Reactions of macromolecules and other compounds in various food matrices, the effects of processing on macromolecular interactions, and subsequent impacts on food quality (structure, flavour, and safety).
  • Food safety, particularly related to chemical factors in food.
  • Development and utilization of food innovations.

Research expertise and experience in several themes, as well as the utilization of domestic and international research, development, and innovation funding (RDI), are considered advantages. Experience in national and international business collaboration is also regarded as an advantage. This position is new within the faculty, and thus the appointee has the opportunity to develop a groundbreaking, nationally and internationally unique research and education profile at the University of Helsinki. The appointee will also engage in public discussions relating to their scientific field.

The appointee will contribute to teaching and supervision of theses in food science within the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes. The appointee is also expected to collaborate with other MSc programmes of the faculty. The appointee will also supervise theses within these programmes and provide discipline-specific teaching in relevant doctoral programmes. The appointee participates in the development of teaching at the faculty and is also expected to work in the management teams of the degree programmes.

Requirements

An appointee to the position of assistant professor or associate professor in the tenure track system shall have:

  • a doctoral degree
  • the capability to conduct independent scholarly work
  • the teaching skills required for the position
  • the capability and motivation to pursue an academic career, as demonstrated by publications and other means

The degree requirement (doctoral degree) must be met by the end of the application period.

When considering the candidates’ qualifications, attention shall be given to research and teaching merits. In addition, the candidates’ leadership and interaction skills, as well as activity in the scientific community and public engagement shall also be taken into account.

Scientific merits include:

  • scientific publications and other research results
  • success in securing external research funding
  • engagement in international scholarly work
  • other international experience

Teaching merits include:

  • teaching experience
  • pedagogical training
  • ability to produce learning material
  • other teaching merits
  • teaching demonstration
  • participation in doctoral education

Successfully performing the duties of the position requires good spoken and written proficiency in Finnish or Swedish and satisfactory proficiency in the other national language. Foreign citizens or non-native Finnish/Swedish speakers may be exempted. Good English skills are required.

What We Offer

We offer an interesting opportunity to work in a diverse research environment. The position allows participation in internationally valued research and high-level teaching. You will be supported by research, teaching, administrative, and technical staff.

Salary is based on the university salary system. Annual gross salary:

  • Assistant Professor: €55,000–63,000
  • Associate Professor: €60,000–70,000

Flexible work arrangements, occupational health care, training, mentoring, and UniSport services are provided.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a single PDF file including:

  1. CV
  2. Motivation letter and research plan (1–2 pages)
  3. Research activity report (max 5 pages)
  4. Numbered list of publications
  5. Report on pedagogical expertise

Application deadline: 3.6.2026 at 23:59 EEST

Further Information

Contact:
Department Head Kati Katina — kati.katina(at)helsinki.fi

Recruitment system support:
HR Specialist Mirkka Juntunen — recruitment(at)helsinki.fi

About the Position

The position is part of the Systems of Food and Drug Security (fooDrug) profile area, funded under PROFI8 (2025–2031). It is a multidisciplinary initiative involving multiple faculties.

Faculty Information

The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry focuses on sustainable use of renewable natural resources and covers the full food chain from farm to fork.

Closing Statement

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