Four-level tenure track system open to talented individuals
The tenure track system offers the recruited researchers a clearly defined career path towards a professorship and enables them to devote their time to research and the advancement of their fields.
The key principles governing TUT’s tenure track system
The recruitment to tenure track positions is based on open international competition. The key requirement is the candidates’ potential for advancement along the tenure track.
The fields of tenure track positions are defined in broad terms to ensure that a sufficient number of eligible candidates are available.
The University is committed to providing researchers on the tenure track the opportunity to advance to the next level, provided that their performance is found to meet the requirements in the relevant reviews.
When considering the decision to promote a researcher to the next level on the tenure track, the University will emphasize openness, equality and the use of the highest level of expertise available.
The decision to promote a researcher to the next level on the tenure track will be made within the predefined deadlines to allow researchers who hold a tenure track position to assess and plan their careers.
Criteria for recruitment and advancement along the tenure track
All candidates considered for a tenure track position are expected to hold an applicable doctoral degree, demonstrate the capacity for independent scholarly activity and possess the teaching skills required for the successful performance of their duties.
Assistant Professors (1st term) are appointed for a fixed term of 2–4 years. Each Assistant Professor undergoes a reappointment review, where the decision to grant the candidate a second term (4 years) is made.
Each Assistant Professor (2nd term) undergoes a promotion review, where the decision to promote the candidate to Associate Professor is made.
Based on their overall merits, Associate Professors may undergo a tenure review and be promoted to Full Professor.
Professors may be directly appointed for a tenured position based on their demonstrated excellence in research or artistic activities and teaching pertaining thereto as well as a commitment to the strategic goals of a university. Candidates for a full professorship are expected to possess outstanding levels of competence and meet international standards in all the evaluated areas.
Successful performance leads to promotion to the next level on the tenure track
A person appointed as an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor and the Head of Department must agree on the person’s general goals for each level on the tenure track within two months after the employment relationship has begun.
Employees have annual discussions with their immediate supervisors concerning their work performance and professional development.
The promotion review and tenure review are conducted at least one year before the employment contract ends.