Tallinn University announces open competition for the tenure track position in Participatory Culture to commence on 1st September 2020
Position: Tenure Track Professorship (career level I – Associate Professor)
Academic unit: School of Natural Sciences and Health (SNSH)
Study Area: Natural Sciences and Sustainability
The position will be filled by 01.09.2020
Description of the area of academic activity
Coordinating development and research activities and research topics at the Institute of Ecology. Creating integration capability with other institutes and research areas at the SNSH and coordinating interdisciplinary scientific and applied research projects. Increasing the visibility of the Institute of Ecology. Cooperation and establishing relations with universities and the private sector both in Estonia and abroad are important. The professor coordinates and contributes to researching the main research areas of the Institute of Ecology – the processes taking places in the ecosystems of swamps, lakes, coastal areas, rivers and groundwater in various time and space scales, and the application of the obtained knowledge in solving issues related to the sustainable management and protections of ecosystems. In addition, the professor contributes to the implementation of environmental education related development and projects at the Institute of Ecology. Important outcomes include responsibility for the development of the area of environmental ecology in the doctoral study programme, and the supervision of doctoral students. The professor contributes to the activities of the SNSH Centre of Excellence through participation in interdisciplinary research projects and management of research projects. Participation in developing study programmes and conducting studies, Environmental organisation BA, Integrated natural sciences BA, Teacher of natural science subjects at upper-secondary schools MA, Molecular biochemistry and ecology MA, Ecology PhD, and supervising students.
Strategic importance of the position
The 2015-2020 Development Plan of TLU and the new Development Plan until 2023 contain focus area 1.4 Healthy and sustainable lifestyle. The SNSH is the main responsible agency in that focus area and therefore the sub-objectives of the Development Plan of the SNSH are related to the objectives of the environment, ecology and health in various sections of the Development Plan. Ecology and environmental issues as well as understanding the associations functioning in an ecosystem, which are necessary for preserving the wellbeing of humans, continue to be important matters in the development priorities of both Europe and Estonia, and the socioeconomic valuation of ecosystem services should be one of the foundations of future economy. The area supports the orientation of specialisation of the Estonian economy and science and the global trends through links to various EU development plans. More specifically, the 2015-2020 Development Plan of the School of Natural Sciences and Health stated the following objectives directly related to the Institute of Ecology:
2.1 We shall determine the temporal changes in the frequency of storms, using ecological, sedimentological and geomorphological data, and assess the impact of such changes on the evolution, vegetation and land use of beaches in Estonia over the past millennium.
2.2 We shall determine the temporal and spatial impact of natural and anthropogenic processes of different scales on the functioning and development of ecosystems related to aquatic environments (swamps, lakes, rivers, coastal areas and their catchment areas) on a multi-scale level and develop the scientific principles of preserving and restoring such ecosystems.
2.3 We shall develop the capability to model the ecohydrological functioning mechanisms of the catchment area based ecosystems of rivers and the ecosystems of lakes.
2.4 We shall develop paleo-ecological, landscape ecological, telmatological and coastal geological research methods.
2.5 We shall create an integrated social-ecological concept for the more sustainable management of urban ecosystems, which will engage the different stakeholders of the society as well as the urban ecosystem services.
2.6. We shall develop interdisciplinary research methods based on the concept of ecosystem services, as well as communication and education practices that support sustainable development.
The activities so far in the area of ecology and ecohydrology have been efficient: high-level scientific research has been conducted and various scientific and applied projects have been implemented. The SNSH Institute of Ecology carries out high-level scientific research and provides ecological and environmental services to various organisations.
The professorship is strategically important for several reasons: the development and coordination of research activities at the Institute of Ecology, the promotion of the development of the Institute, and the provision of natural sciences and sustainability education at three levels of higher education at the SNSH (including teacher training). The professorship of ecohydrology is more broadly related to the professorships of chemistry, physics, biology and psychology and more closely to the professorship of environmental organisation and sustainable development through ecological and environmental topics and joint activities. The professorships complement each other thanks to the different focuses of speciality topics and areas.
Requirements for the candidates
Candidates for the tenure system position shall meet at least the requirements of career level I of tenure system professor, tenure track associate professor (stipulated in Annex 2 and respectively in Annex 9 and 10 to the Employment Relations Rules).
The elected professors will begin their career in the first career level of the tenure system, with the title of tenure track associate professor. The aim for that is to support them as a leader in the relevant field of research and study and, upon successful evaluation to progress to the second career level of the tenure system, with the title of professor.
In connection with the specifics of the area, the existence of the following competences is the main requirement:
- a candidate must hold a PhD degree in ecology or in a similar field of science;
- the main necessary basic areas of research include research into the relationships between water and biota, research into matters related to groundwater-dependent surface water and land ecosystems, determining the ecosystem services of water bodies, the development and changes of water bodies in the Holocene, climate changes and the impact thereof on aquatic ecosystems, environmental education and communication.
A candidate must have research and development experience in the aforementioned basic areas of research as well as extensive experience in interdisciplinary research in various domestic and international groups. In addition, a candidate is expected to have experience in conducting studies at all the levels in the areas related to the candidate’s basic areas of research as well as more general competences in a broader area of environmental science. A strong research and publication record in ecology and ecohydrology, especially in connection with aquatic ecosystem are needed. Participation in the work of SNSH, university and non-university academic and administrative bodies is expected.
Job responsibilities
In accordance with Annexes 1, 2 and 10 to the Employment Relations Rules.
The duties are approximately divided in teaching activities – 20%, research and development or other creative activities – 60%, social and institutional activities – 20%.
Language skill requirements
- The English language at a level necessary for conducting studies and research: at least C1
- The Estonian language skill is necessary for conducting studies for the students of the area and for developing and using the Estonian terminology of the area. The professor bears responsibility and works primarily in the fulfilment of Estonian language based study programmes in accordance with the contract under public law concluded between the MoER and Tallinn University (for training natural science teachers for Estonian schools). Proficiency in the Estonian language should be obtained within 3 years.
Load: 1,0.
Salary: to be agreed upon according to the Tallinn University Remuneration Regulation.
Location: Tallinn
Start of the contract: 01.09.2020
Additional information: Please address your administrative questions to [email protected], and questions on the content to the Administrative Head of SNSH Tiina Aavik, [email protected]
Required application documents:
The candidates are expected to submit the required applications documents (preferably in PDF-format) by 10th March 2020 (incl) to Personnel Office of Tallinn University (Narva mnt 25, room T-218, 10120, Tallinn, or digitally signed to [email protected]) with the title “Academic competition”:
- a signed application-motivation letter addressed to the Rector, which contains an overview of the candidate’s objectives in carrying out study and research and development or creative activities. Candidates to the tenure system position will also provide an action plan how to achieve these objectives, including a vision for the development of the field of study and research related to the tenure professorship at Tallinn University;
- a curriculum vitae, which shall include, among others, an overview of the candidate’s teaching, research and development or other creative activity, and social and institutional activity;
- copies of a document certifying the qualification required from the position, and its annexes. The University shall have the right to request that the candidate submit the original or certified copies of the document certifying the qualification and its annexes. If higher education has been obtained abroad, the University shall have the right to request that the candidate submit the evaluation of the Estonian ENIC/NARIC concerning the conformity of the candidate’s qualification with the requirements established for the position;
- a list of research publications, separately highlighting research papers published in internationally distributed publications peer reviewed by an editorial board. It is recommended that a list of the candidate’s research publications is also available in the Estonian Research Information System (ETIS);
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a link to or, if that is impossible, a file with the full text of up to five representative research publications in the case of a candidate for a tenure system position and for a research professor position, up to three in the case of a candidate for a research track associate professor position and for a teaching track associate professor and one in the case of a candidate for a lecturer position and for a research fellow position;
- in the case of arts specialities, a list of creative works, separately indicating internationally recognised creative activities together with respective proof;
- in areas where publication can be considered equivalent to outstanding recognised results in speciality-specific development and creative activities on which the candidate wishes to rely, the candidate shall submit an overview and proof of such results;
- documents and materials to certify other knowledge and skills, if the competition announcement contains respective requirements or the candidate considers these important.
The application documents may be submitted only in English, if the person to hold the position is not expected to have Estonian language skills.
