Associate professor within one of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities’ subjects with focus on Sámi research

Description of the unit

Várdduo – Centre for Sámi research is a unit at Umeå University that coordinates and initiates research in and about Sápmi, with a focus on Sámi and other Indigenous cultures, societies, histories and languages. It is a meeting place for researchers and PhD students from various disciplines, with research interests connected to Sámi or other Indigenous issues. Várdduo provides an inspiring research environment and constitutes a valuable platform for creative exchanges that enriches research. As a unique competence center for Sámi research in Sweden, research communication is a central part of Várdduo’s work. Read more about Várdduo at: https://www.umu.se/en/vardduo-centre-for-sami-research/ .

At Várdduo research is currently carried out in areas such as history, land rights and conflicts, natural resource exploitation, education and health. However, we welcome projects with other research focuses.

In connection with developments in Indigenous studies internationally, as well as research ethical perspectives, many activities at Várdduo are characterized by collaboration with Indigenous communities, and importance is placed on sharing research results with Indigenous communities.

Várdduo - Centre for Sámi research is now looking for an associate professor. The position must be linked to a subject that is represented at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and have a focus on Sámi research. The position is permanent, full-time starting in the latter part of the autumn semester 2025 or by agreement. 

Job tasks

During the first four years of employment, the position includes 60% research and 40% teaching/administration (20% professional development is included in the research portion during this period). After the initial four years, the position includes 80% teaching and 20% professional development. The professional development time is usually used for research. The associate professor is expected to actively seek external funding for research. In addition to teaching, the job tasks include teaching and research-related administration as well as personnel, subject and planning meetings.

The job tasks include initiating and developing the field of Sámi research as well as planning and developing teaching. Additionally, the duties include supervision, coordination and development of the department's research areas.

The job tasks include also providing support to teachers and researchers at other departments and units within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in research, teaching and collaboration within Várdduo's area of operation.

Currently, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities annually announces a publication-based resource for research, for which employees can apply for up to 50% faculty-funded research time for two years.

Qualifications

A person who has demonstrated teaching expertise and has been awarded a doctorate within a subject that is represented at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, or has attained equivalent research expertise or other professional expertise relevant with regard to the subject area and the duties included in the position is qualified for appointment as associate professor.

Good language skills in English and Swedish or another Scandinavian language as well as the ability to teach in these languages ​​are requirements for the employment.

Assessment criteria  

The assessment criteria for the selection are: research and teaching expertise within Sámi themes. The applicant must have experience in coordinating tasks, development work within research and/or teaching. The selection criteria also include administrative expertise, good ability to cooperate and the expertise and suitability required in general to complete the job tasks well.

The research expertise must have been demonstrated by independent research contributions. Assessment criteria include: 

• breadth and depth of research – quality and scope 
• originality of research 
• productivity
• contributions to the international research community 
• assignments within the research community 
• ability to obtain external research funding in competition
• ability to collaborate and engage with the wider community

The teaching expertise must have been demonstrated through documented experience of teaching on a scientific basis within higher education. Assessment criteria for teaching expertise for appointments on a scientific basis include: 

• an ability to plan, implement and evaluate teaching, and an ability to supervise and assess students at all levels of education
• an ability to vary teaching methods and examination formats in relation to intended learning outcomes and the nature of the subject
• experience of collaboration with the wider community in planning and implementing education
• participation in the development of learning environments, teaching aids and study resources
• a reflective approach to student learning and one’s own role as a teacher. 

This expertise can be obtained through teacher training for higher education, other training relevant for teaching higher education, or documented, proven experience of teaching in higher education.  

The eligibility and assessment criteria can be found in the Rules of Appointments procedure for Teachers at Umeå University: https://www.umu.se/en/legal-framework/human-resources-equal-opportunities-and-work-environment/appointments-procedure-for-teachers-at-umea-university2/.

Weighing of the assessment criteria

Equal care must be given to the assessment of teaching and research expertise. In comparing these assessment criteria, great importance shall be given to research expertise.

Particular importance shall be placed on research and teaching expertise within Sámi themes.  

In the assessment of the research expertise, particular importance shall be given to research publications with peer-review and the ability to obtain external research funding in competition. High importance will be placed on the ability to collaborate and engage with the wider community.

In the assessment of the teaching expertise, particular importance shall be given to teaching experience within university as well as experience in supervising doctoral students. 

High importance shall be given to development work within research and/or teaching and administrative expertise. High importance shall also be given to experience in coordinating tasks, for example: conferences, research groups, workshops, seminars, course development, etc. as well as to the ability to cooperate. 

Importance shall be given to the expertise and suitability required in general to complete the job tasks well.

Ansökan

Information regarding the documents to be attached to the application can be found in Guidelines for applications for employment and promotion at Umeå University’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities: https://www.umu.se/contentassets/50940fbdac714459ad8b6a4406596619/guidelines-for-applications_employment_promotion_at-umus-faculty-of-arts-and-humanities--ads-published-from-240129.pdf

Applications will be submitted via Umeå University's e-recruitment system Varbi no later than June 11, 2025.

Other information

The employment is permanent, fulltime, starting in the latter part of the autumn semester 2025 or by agreement.  

The associate professor is expected to actively contribute to developing the local research environment at Várdduo where the position is located. High physical presence in the environment is therefore a requirement.

For more information about the position contact the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Christer Nordlund, +46 90 786 97 33, christer.nordlund@umu.se or HR-Specialist, Roxana Wikström, roxana.wikstrom@umu.se.

For more information about the unit, visit: https://www.umu.se/en/vardduo-centre-for-sami-research/

We are looking forward to receiving your application!