Professor, Empirical Software Engineering: Data/AI -Driven Systems and Services

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 3,600 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based education to build a more sustainable, smarter, and more humane world. The University of Oulu community has about 17,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations.  

We are now looking for

Professor

to join us in the Empirical Software Engineering in Software, Systems, and Services (M3S) research unit at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.

M3S conducts research at a high international level and publishes widely in the top software engineering journals and conferences. M3S has strong industry collaboration and a proven track record of making a high impact in the industry. The group has a versatile portfolio of externally funded projects, including Horizon Europe, ITEA, Academy of Finland, and Business Finland.

The M3S research theme on Data/AI-driven systems and services promotes research on engineering software solutions in multiple domains with emerging applications of artificial intelligence and novel solutions to related software and systems engineering challenges. 

About the job

The professor is expected to provide leadership and mentoring in software engineering, primarily related to Data/AI-driven systems and services. The more specific field(s) of expected competence relate to at least one of the following software and systems engineering themes:

• Data-driven decision making
• Data science
• Data analytics
• Artificial intelligence, intelligent systems
• Cyber-physical systems / Data-driven systems in industry
• AI / Data Science transforming Software Engineering (Profession and Education)

As a professor, you are expected to build research capabilities and lead research projects and team(s) on your field of research themes, contribute to the unit’s research activities, participate in research and academic administration duties, lead and teach in educational programs and modules (in Finland and abroad), and supervise doctoral and undergraduate students. 

What we offer?

• A well-established, colloquial, and financially stable research environment, supporting further career building.
• Great connections to the international academic research community and industrial partnerships with the leading ICT companies in Finland, Europe, and internationally.
• Development and career options of the big organization, including opportunities to cultivate your academic leadership skills.
• The support of an experienced and enthusiastic team of 50+ people in the M3S Research Unit, where you can share your expertise and grow as an expert.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covers sports, culture, and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• We have an HR Excellence in Research, a quality label, and a recognition award from the European Commission for developing researchers’ working conditions and careers. 
• If you are moving from abroad, we offer comprehensive relocation packages to support your smooth relocation to Oulu.
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, an excellent education system, and a competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu

Who are you?

We invite applications from candidates across fields and disciplines of computer science, software engineering, and information processing science. You have strong research skills in technical and empirical sciences. In addition to research competence and academic leadership, high-quality teaching merits based on research are expected, with the ability to contribute periodically to on-site (in Finland) and off-site (abroad) study programs on software engineering.

In order to succeed and enjoy the position, we expect from you: 

• Doctoral degree within a relevant field
• High-quality scientific profile demonstrated with a publication record
• Proof of acquiring and leading externally funded research projects
• Ability and motivation to deliver on-site and off-site high-quality education based on research
• Experience in supervising theses
• Evidence of international collaboration in the field
• Ability to act as an Academic Leader

A fluent command of the English language is required, while knowledge of the Finnish language is regarded as valuable (although not obligatory).

Salary

The position is permanent as of 1.1.2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The salary will be based on levels 8-9 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (a maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). Depending on the qualifications, the starting gross salary will be approx. in the range of 5500-7400 € per month (before taxes).  A trial period of 6 months is applied for the position.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 29.09.2024 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

The application should be written in English and include the following:

1. Cover letter
2. CV following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
3. List of publications following the guidelines of the Academy of Finland
4. Brief account of research merits 
5. Brief account of teaching merits or a teaching portfolio containing:
   1. Teaching philosophy, teaching strategies, and methods
   2. Teachers' self-reflection on their teaching style and personal background ideas of teaching; how are these reflected in teaching?
   3. A description of oneself as a teacher and an implementer of educational work
   4. Practical experience in teaching and efforts to improve teaching
   5. Description of educational material (curricula, handouts, assignments, workbooks)
   6. Professional development as a teacher
   7. Evaluation of teaching (student evaluations, peer evaluations, awards, and assessed test lectures)
   8. Plans for future directions of teaching in the discipline concerned
6. Details regarding the acquisition of research funds 
7. A brief research and action plan 
8. Contact details of 2–4 persons available for recommendation.

The eligible applicants fitting best in the profile expected for the position will be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, such as people of different ages, genders and lingual, cultural or minority groups. 

The selection process follows the University of Oulu recruitment guidelines. The process is carried out by a recruitment committee, and the candidates that are considered most suitable by the recruitment committee will also undergo an expert evaluation assessing the following merits:

• Scientific activities and their reflection in the publication record, scientific presentations, and other recognitions, e.g., awards and patents
• Teaching activities and their evaluation (teaching portfolio; including student’s evaluation)
• Supervision of diploma and doctoral students
• Acquisition of competitive research funds
• International scientific activities and contacts
• Services for the academic community
• Academic and societal relevance and potential of activities

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact Prof. Burak Turhan email: burak.turhan@oulu.fi   

1. Burak Turhan,