TUT's tenure track career path
Tenure track is open to talented individuals
Tampere University of Technology has introduced a new tenure track system as part of its academic career structure. The tenure track is open to talented individuals who hold a doctoral degree in the natural sciences, engineering or equivalent fields and have the potential to pursue a successful scientific career. Based on their experience and competence, the successful candidates will be placed at one of the first three levels of the tenure track system. Appointments at the level of Assistant Professor and Associate Professor are made on a fixed term basis. Based on their overall merits, Associate Professors may progress to the final level of the tenure track and achieve the rank of Full Professor.
A person at any level of the academic tenure track system is expected to pursue and supervise scientific research, seek external funding, provide academic education, participate in the activities of the international scientific community and interact with society. Career advancement along the tenure track is based on regular performance assessments that measure the candidate’s accomplishments in all these areas.
Four-stage tenure track career path
1. Assistant Professor (1st term, 2 - 4 years)
2. Assistant Professor (2nd term, 4 years)
3. Associate Professor (4 years)
4. Full Professor (tenured)
Assistant Professors (1st term) are appointed for a fixed term of 2–4 years. Each Assistant Professor receives a reappointment review, where the decision is made in granting a second term (4 years).
Each Assistant Professor (2nd term) receives a promotion review, where a decision is made to promote the candidate to Associate Professor.
Based on their overall merits, Associate Professors may receive a tenure review to Full Professor.
Each employee on the tenure track has an annual discussion with his/her direct superior concerning the employee’s work and need for competence development. The promotion review and the tenure review are conducted along with the annual discussion (at least one year before the contract ends).