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 120 nationalities, 14 000 students, 400 professors and close to 5000 faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus 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 Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering (NBE) is home to world-class multidisciplinary research in human systems neuroscience, multimodal neuroimaging, neurostimulation, experimental biophysics, and biomedical engineering. The levels of description in the research and education at the department range from molecular and cellular measures to noninvasive neuroimaging and behavioral measurements. New generations of multidisciplinary scientists and engineers are educated by engaging them with cutting-edge science and technology. Our strong emphasis on research is also reflected in our wide-ranging collaborations, the highly international composition of our staff, and broad spectrum of funding sources. Our graduates assume positions in academia, industry, and government and emphasize importance of scientific evidence in our society. Our research discoveries and innovations pave the way for new companies contributing to health, wellbeing, and prosperity.
Assistant Professor Position (Tenure Track) in Living State Physics
We are looking for Assistant professor in the emerging field of Living State Physics, which integrates concepts, methodologies, tools, and techniques from the physical sciences and engineering to advance our understanding of processes and properties distinctive to living organisms and systems.
Successful candidates should have a strong background, for example, in molecular and cellular biophysics, biophotonics, non-equilibrium phenomena, or biological engineering.
While the scope of the position is broad, the new Assistant professor is expected to have a strongly experimental approach to research. Their research can span spatial scales ranging from single molecules and proteins to multicellular systems.
The position will be filled at the Assistant Professor level which is full-time fixed-term entry-level faculty position on the Aalto University tenure track. NBE is committed to fostering an inclusive environment with diverse faculty members. Women and others underrepresented in the field of this call are particularly encouraged to apply.
Role and requirements
The position is open to individuals with a doctorate in physics or a closely related field. The new professor is expected to build and lead an internationally recognized research group and establish an ambitious research program in the burgeoning research field of Living State Physics.
The new professor shall actively engage in education in this field at the NBE department and also wider at Aalto University and should participate in the development of our curricula at Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral levels.
The applicant to be appointed to tenure track needs to demonstrate fluency in English.
Colleagues and infrastructure
Research at the Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering encompasses multiple disciplines. While we are looking for a new faculty member with strong competence in their own field, we equally emphasize the importance of being able to appreciate and learn about other fields of study. We also value the curiosity and courage to engage in interdisciplinary work, thereby crossing levels of description ranging from single molecules to systems level.
The Otaniemi campus offers a comprehensive research infrastructure, including:
- The Aalto University Nanomicroscopy Center provides access to high-resolution electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, and X-ray scattering instruments for soft, hard, and biomaterial sample imaging and characterisation.
- Micronova is part of OtaNano, Finland's national research infrastructure for micro- and nanotechnology. It is run jointly by VTT (Technical Research Centre of Finland) and Aalto University. Its mission is to develop innovative, enabling technologies, and to apply these in practical micro- and nanosystems. Research at Micronova focuses on micro and nanotechnology, material and device physics, and optics.
- Aalto Neuroimaging (ANI) Infrastructure is hosted at NBE. ANI houses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at Advanced Magnetic Imaging (AMI) Centre, magnetoencephalography (MEG) at MEG Core, and behavioral and psychophysical measurement systems at Aalto Behavioral Laboratory (ABL).
- Computational infrastructure comprised of Triton high-performance computing cluster, CSC- IT Center for Science, and LUMI supercomputer.
Potential collaborative institutions include:
- Aalto University in general and NBE in particular have well-established connections to University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital. These connections provide excellent opportunities for translational research and for developing clinical applications.
- Technical Research Centre of Finland, VTT is one of Europe’s leading research institutions. VTT is owned by the Finnish state and advances the utilization and commercialization of research and technology. VTT is located on the Otaniemi campus.
Tenure track in Aalto University
The position is in the tenure track career system, where professors are expected to conduct and supervise scientific research, to provide related academic education, to contribute to developing their field or discipline, as well as to participate in academic service to the University and beyond in the society. For more information on the tenure track system of Aalto University, including evaluation criteria, please see
https://www.aalto.fi/en/tenure-track
The Assistant Professor applicants will be reviewed based on their potential and merits in research, teaching, service and impact in relation to the career stage.
Individuals appointed to the tenure track conduct research and teach in order to build academic merits towards qualifying for an appointment to a tenured position. Career advancement on the tenure track is based on scheduled appointment reviews, which take into account the candidate´s merits in all evaluation areas.
What we offer
All our work is guided by the values of the university: responsibility, courage, and collaboration. We are an open community where equality and inclusion enable curiosity, innovation, collaboration and wellbeing. We provide:
- Starting package and grant writing support to help you establish your own team,
- Excellent staff training and mentoring programmes,
- Occupational health care services, and
Aalto University encourages flexible working hours to allow a healthy balance between work and family life. For all new staff members and their families, Aalto University provides dedicated introductory social and cultural events around the year.
Aalto University follows the salary system of Finnish universities. The position will be located at the Aalto University Otaniemi Campus.
Finland is a great country to live in, with or without family. Finland is safe, politically stable, and well-organized society with a healthy living environment. Finland offers many state-subsidized services including affordable day care, free schools and universities, which are consistently ranked among the best in the world. More information about living and working in Finland is available
here.
For more information
If you have any questions or need additional information about the open position, please do not hesitate to contact the Chair of the Departmental Committee, Professor Anton Kuzyk,
anton.kuzyk (at) aalto.fi, and for questions related to the recruitment process HR Partner Jenni Ståhl, jenni.stahl (at) aalto.fi.
Ready to apply?
If you want to join our community, please submit your application no later than 15.08.2025 (before midnight Finnish time) through our recruiting system by using the "Apply" link.
To apply, please share the following application materials with us:
- Curriculum Vitae: please follow the template recommended by The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity.
- List of publications, with the five most significant publications highlighted, including a paragraph describing their significance and the applicant’s contribution.
- Research portfolio: a concise (4-10 pages) reflection on the merits, long-term vision, and research plan. For instructions, visit Policies and Procedures document, Page 25. Please include a description of potential synergies with current research groups at NBE.
All material should be submitted in English and must be enclosed as a single standard pdf file with file name “lastname_firstname_application.pdf”. The first document of the pdf file is the cover letter, followed by the appendices in the order given in the list above. Applications should be written using a minimum font size of 11 pt. The application materials will not be returned. Please also note that our recruitment system will accept only a limited number of attachment, (max 5 with 5MB size each) - consequently please abide by our request to combine materials to a single pdf-file.
Applications for tenure track positions should be addressed to the Dean of Aalto University’s School of Science and sent through the electronic recruitment system. Please refer to the title of the position concerned in your application.
Based on the application materials, the Departmental Committee of the recruitment will choose the most suitable applicants to visit NBE for interviews and teaching demonstrations.
A teaching portfolio will be requested from these shortlisted candidates: see
Aalto University´s guidelines. In addition, these shortlisted applications will be reviewed by external experts.
Please note: Aalto University’s employees should apply for the position via our internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs) by using their existing Workday user account (not via the external webpage for open positions). If you are a visitor at Aalto University, please apply with your personal email address (not aalto.fi) via “Apply” - link
Aalto University open positions.
Aalto University reserves the right to leave the position open or to extend the application period.
You can find more about us and about your future colleagues in these videos and a virtual tour:
