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Home : Faculty, Teaching & Research, GOF/DANS Professorship : GOF/DANS Application Information

GOF/DANS Application Information

Government of Finland/David and Nancy Speer Visiting Professorship in Finnish Studies

The College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota invites applications for a full-time, 9-month appointment as Government of Finland/David and Nancy Speer Visiting Professor in Finnish Studies beginning fall semester 2012. This appointment is for academic year 2012/13 (27 August 2012 to 26 May 2013) with the possibility of renewal for one or two additional academic years.

The University of Minnesota is a major research university serving undergraduate and graduate students, and is the only Ph.D. granting institution in the state of Minnesota. Its main campus is in the large metropolitan area of the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The Government of Finland/David and Nancy Speer Visiting Professorship was created in 1989 to stimulate interest in Finland; to raise awareness of unique and important Finnish contributions in cultural, political, and social spheres; and to establish new networks between scholars in Finland and the United States.

The University of Minnesota is currently soliciting applications from Finnish scholars in political science, sociology, or gender, women's and sexuality studies. Preference will be given to candidates with expertise that extends and enhances current offerings at the University of Minnesota.

• Political Science: Candidates must be in the fields of comparative politics and/or international relations. For additional information about the Department of Political Science at the University of Minnesota, see http://www.polisci.umn.edu/


• Sociology: Candidates in the fields of criminology or demography are encouraged to apply. For additional information about the Department of Sociology at the University of Minnesota, see http://www.soc.umn.edu/


• Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies: Candidates in any field are welcome to apply. For additional information about the Department of Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies at the University of Minnesota, see http://gwss.umn.edu/

Position: Full-time, nine-month academic year position at the rank of visiting professor, visiting associate professor, or visiting assistant professor, based on the rank held at the home institution. Scholars from non-academic institutions will be appointed depending on qualifications and experience, and consistent with Collegiate and University policy.

Responsibilities: The Visiting Professor will teach no more than three courses per academic year at the undergraduate and/or graduate level (including seminars) arranged according to the candidate's expertise, curricular needs of the department, and in consideration of the mission of the Professorship. The Visiting Professor will also organize and coordinate research/creative, teaching and outreach activities; participate in efforts to promote wider interest in Finland; and strengthen ties between Finland, the University, and the arts, business, or political communities in the region.

Qualifications: Ph.D. in the relevant discipline; two years university-level teaching or equivalent professional experience; and proficiency in the English language are required.

Appointment: Initial term of appointment is for academic year 2012/13 (27 August 2012 to 26 May 2013). Appointment is annually renewable for up to two additional years, subject to performance and availability of funding. The University is especially interested in receiving applications from candidates willing to teach at Minnesota for two to three years. Salary is competitive, based on qualifications and experience. Benefits are commensurate with visiting faculty appointment.

Candidates should send a letter of application, curriculum vitae (including publications), a two-page statement of research and teaching interests with an explanation of how these interests will contribute to the development of multidisciplinary Finnish Studies, and names and addresses of three references. All materials should be sent to:

Ms. Annu Jylhä-Pyykönen
Director
Ministry of Education / Department for Education & Science Policy Division
Division for Higher Education & Science/Research
P.O. Box 29
FIN-00023 Government
Finland

Please note that all application materials must be submitted in English. For technical questions about the position, please contact Ms. Annu Jylhä-Pyykönen or Professor Aura Korppi-Tommola, Executive Director, Federation of Finnish Learned Societies. For further substantive information or questions about the position, please contact Dr. Evelyn Davidheiser (edavidh@umn.edu), Assistant Dean for International Programs, College of Liberal Arts & Director, Institute for Global Studies, University of Minnesota.

Application deadline: 31 January 2012. Applications will be reviewed initially in Finland and interviews will be conducted in Finland by a committee appointed by the Ministry of Education and by representatives of the University of Minnesota. Selection of finalists will be determined by the University of Minnesota by 15 April 2012.