University Lecturer in Societal Security

The Faculty of Social Sciences invites applications for the position of

UNIVERSITY LECTURER IN SOCIETAL SECURITY

for a permanent position starting 1 January 2027.

We seek candidates with a background in social sciences and expertise in research related to questions of societal security, democracy, inequality and/or societal resilience from a comprehensive and critical perspective.

The position is linked to the international Master’s Programme in Societal Security, a two-year master’s programme focusing on the complex nature of security and conflict. The programme provides students with a multidimensional understanding of the foundations of societal security and the threats it faces. Read more about the programme and University of Helsinki’s Societal Security Hub .

The position will be organisationally situated in one of the following units at the Faculty of Social Sciences, depending on the appointee’s field of research: Social and Public Policy, Social Psychology, or Sociology.

Duties and Responsibilities

The appointee will:
• Teach in accordance with degree requirements and general guidelines of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Most teaching will take place within the Master’s Programme in Societal Security. The appointee will teach study track-specific courses and one common course for all study tracks, and participate in the teaching of the Master’s thesis seminar. The appointee also serves as one of the supervising teachers in the programme. The teaching responsibilities may also include teaching in other study programmes in which the appointee’s unit participates.
• Coordinate and develop the Democracy, Inequality, and Societal Resilience track of the Master’s Programme in Societal Security. This track studies how the internal and external processes of societies produce and reproduce societal security, how key societal functions are tied into the perceived security needs of the state and global organizations, and how certain elements in the society, such as inequality and welfare, are linked to institutional and societal trust.
• Conduct research on the topic areas of the aforementioned study track.
• Supervise and examine master’s theses and supervise doctoral dissertations.
• Participate in student guidance, academic administration, and programme development.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate must:
• Hold an applicable doctoral degree by the application deadline.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide high-quality, research-based teaching.
• Show competence in supervising master’s theses and doctoral dissertations.
• Maintain an active research profile with international publications in the fields of social and public policy, social psychology or/and sociology.
• Demonstrate excellent English language skills. If the appointee is not proficient in Finnish or Swedish, they are expected to acquire moderate proficiency within a reasonable time after appointment. Support for language studies will be provided.

In assessing applicants, attention will be paid to:
• Scholarly publications.
• Teaching skills and experience; supervision of theses and dissertations; pedagogical training; development of teaching; and production of learning materials.
• Teaching demonstration.
• Interview performance.

What we offer

The University of Helsinki is an equal opportunity employer and offers an attractive and diverse workplace with a variety of development opportunities and benefits. The annual gross salary range will be approx. €54,000 – €67,000, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. Standard Finnish pension benefits and occupational health care are provided for university employees. Further information can be obtained . The employment contract will include a probationary period of six months.

Finland is a member of the European Union, has high quality free schooling (also in English) and generous family benefits and healthcare. Finland was recently ranked as the best country in the world for expat families, and Helsinki in the world’s top ten most livable cities. Finland and the Helsinki region feature leading research and innovation facilities, clean environment, affordable accommodation, and excellent international, national, and local transport connections.