Advancing in teaching careers at Tampere University

A university instructor may advance to the position of university lecturer or clinical instructor, and further to senior university lecturer or senior clinical instructor. Merit-based advancement without an open application process is possible if the individual has demonstrated outstanding performance in their role and the faculty has a need for the position in question.

Criteria for Advancement

Each position has defined criteria on which merit is assessed. The evaluation follows the principles of responsible research assessment. Advancement to the roles of senior university lecturer or senior clinical instructor requires significant achievements in teaching and educational development, as well as broader responsibilities.

University Instructor

• Master’s degree
• Good teaching skills
• Pedagogical studies are recommended

Considered an asset: research or artistic/ practical work in the field, scholarly or artistic work contributing to education or pedagogy in the field, involvement in continuous learning activities, and involvement in promotion of open teaching.

University Lecturer

• Doctoral degree, or for teaching-focused positions in architecture or theatre, a Master’s degree in the field and artistic competence
• Evidence of the ability to provide high-quality teaching based on scholarly or artistic research, experience of providing student guidance at the university level, research or artistic/ practical work in the field, responsibility in the development of education, and 10 ECTS of pedagogical studies or equivalent training

Considered an asset: international educational collaboration, scholarly or artistic development and/ or publication work contributing to education or pedagogy in the field, and participation in promotion of open teaching.

Clinical Instructor

• An applicable doctoral degree is generally required
• Evidence of independent scientific research, ability to provide high-quality, research-based teaching and guidance, work based on established practices in the field, and 10 ECTS of pedagogical studies or equivalent training

Considered an asset: international educational collaboration, scholarly development and/ or publication work contributing to teaching, education or pedagogy in the field, and promotion of open teaching.

Senior University Lecturer / Senior Clinical Instructor

• Doctoral degree
• Excellenct teaching competence
• Significant evidence of ability to provide high-quality, research-based teaching, supervision and guidance of higher education studies or theses, leadership roles related to teaching, such as serving as the head of a degree programme or as a member of a management team related to education or teaching, research or artistic/ practical work in the field, scholarly or artistic development and/ or publication work contributing to education or pedagogy in the field, and 25 ECTS of pedagogical studies or equivalent training

Considered an asset: recognised national or international expertise in university-level teaching and education, international educational collaboration, involvement in continuous learning activities, and demonstrated contributions to promoting open teaching as well as utilization of feedback received on teaching.

With special merits (e.g., long-term evidence of systematic development of teaching), advancement can be considered even if some of the criteria are not met.

Advancement Process

The Dean of the faculty may propose individuals who have demonstrated exceptional merit in their role. Faculty proposals are reviewed every 1–2 years by a university-level committee. The final decision is made by the President following the committee’s review.

Tampere University as an Employer

The most common titles and eligibility criteria for our teaching and research staff

Open positions at Tampere University