Professor of Cariology, Endodontology and Paediatric Dentistry

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 4000 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 19,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations. The University of Oulu is ranked in the top 3% of the world’s universities.

We are now looking for a

Professor of Cariology, Endodontology and Paediatric Dentistry 

to join us in the Research Unit of Population Health at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland. 

Research Unit of Population Health (PopH) at the Faculty of Medicine is a multidisciplinary research and teaching unit that approaches questions related to human health through different disciplines. 

About the job

The position of a professor is the highest academic role at the university. Professors conduct, lead, and develop scientific research or artistic work, provide research-based education, engage with society, and participate in international cooperation within their field.

Your responsibilities include research-based teaching in undergraduate dental education and specialist training in in cariology, endodontics and paediatric dentistry. You will also serve as the person responsible for specialist training in cariology and endodontics. 

What we offer

• The support of an experienced and enthusiastic team, with whom you can share your expertise and grow as an expert.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, 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 -quality label, which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers. 
• If you are moving from abroad, we offer comprehensive relocation packages to support your smooth relocation to Oulu.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and your close ones in settling into 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?

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

• Doctoral degree in relevant field
• Specialist qualification in relevant field 
• High level of scientific qualification 
• Experience in conducting scientific research
• Ability to provide high-quality research-based teaching
• Experience in supervising theses
• International research cooperation
• Ability to act as an Academic Leader
• Permission to act as a licensed dentist in Finland
• Fluent Finnish and English language skills. Persons engaged in teaching and research duties at the university are required to be able to provide teaching in the Finnish language (Government Decree on Universities 770/2009). 

We also appreciate 

• University pedagogical studies or other demonstrated teaching qualifications and experience
• Experience in the planning and development of undergraduate, postgraduate and specialist training programmes 
• Clinical experience and practical expertise in cariology, endodontics and paediatric dentistry
• Previous experience of collaboration with the Wellbeing Services Counties
• Strong communication and collaboration skills 

Salary

The position is permanent as of 1.3.2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The salary will be based on the 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). The starting gross salary will be approx. 6000-7500 € per month (before taxes). A trial period of 6 months is applied to the position.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 20.9.2026 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

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

1. Cover letter with contact details of 2–4 persons available for recommendation.
2. CV following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
3. Certificate of a license to work as a specialist in Finland 
4. List of publications following the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland
5. Brief account of research merits 
6. Teaching portfolio following the guidelines of the University of Oulu
7. Details regarding the acquisition of research funds 
8. A brief research and action plan 

The selection process follows the University of Oulu recruitment guidelines and is carried out by a recruitment committee. The candidates are subjected to publication analyses based on their publication lists. The candidates who are considered most suitable by the recruitment committee will undergo an expert evaluation assessing the following merits:

• Scientific excellence: Research outputs, such as publications, research data, methods, scientific quality, openness, scientific renewal, and impact
• Research activities, such as acquisition of competitive research funds, presentations, workshops and seminars, trans- or multidisciplinary, awards, honours
• International scientific activities and collaboration
• Teaching, supervision of undergraduate students and doctoral researchers, mentoring activities, and pedagogical studies
• Societal relevance, impact, and potential of scientific activities, such as patents and inventions, stakeholder activities, expert work, science popularisation, promotion of the SDGs, and citizen science
• Services for the academic community, such as peer review, editorial work, academic expert, and administrative tasks
• Leadership and interaction skills 

The person selected for the position of Professor must achieve a rating of “excellent” or “outstanding”, both in the overall grade and in the category “scientific excellence”. Top candidates will also be invited to an on-site or remote interview and asked to give a teaching demonstration as part of the assessment of teaching skills. In the evaluation of teaching skills, the person selected for the position of professor must achieve at least the grade “very good” (4/5). All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including people of different ages, genders, languages, cultures, and minority communities.

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact Professor Juha Auvinen, Faculty of Medicine, Research Unit of Population Health, e-mail juha.auvinen(at)oulu.fi, tel. +358406736344 

If you have questions concerning the recruitment process, please contact HR Manager Tiina Pääkkönen, e-mail tiina.paakkonen(at)oulu.fi