Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor of Game Studies / tenure track -tutkijan, tenure track -professorin tai professorin tehtävä (pelitutkimus)

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. www.tuni.fi/en

We are now seeking an assistant professor, associate professor or full professor in the field of Game Studies. Game Studies is a multidisciplinary research field that is focused on the study of games, the act of playing them, the players and their impact and role on and in society and culture surrounding them. In the Communications Unit, Game Studies is primarily rooted in humanities and critical social sciences and has developed in interplay with multiple other fields and disciplines.

The position is located in the Unit of Communication Sciences in the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences that conducts research that delves into our increasingly digital media landscape and the role of communication technologies in reshaping not only our thoughts and sensibilities but also our relations with others. The successful candidate contributes to the research profile of the Unit. Games Studies is practiced in the Game Research Lab, which is part of the Research Centre for Communication Sciences (Taru) with its research focus that delves deep into societal and cultural dynamics, dissecting their evolution and patterns through lenses of communication, media, and art. With pioneering media, information and communication related theories, methodologies, and practices, Taru enriches our comprehension of these phenomena. Rooted in the humanities and social sciences, Taru’s research embodies a rigorous, interdisciplinary exploration of human communication. Its focal points include phenomena related to information, gaming, media, journalism, communication, visuality, and the performing arts. 

Research in this position is in close contact with education in the Unit, particularly with the international Master's Programme in Game Studies, which provides an in-depth view to the fundamental character of games and play. Game Studies is also an important part of the Doctoral Education through programmes connected with the Unit, with Game Studies specialization in the Doctoral Programme in Media, Communication and Performing Arts. In addition, there is games related education provided by the Faculty and the Unit also in the Master’s Programme in Sustainable Digital Life, and the Doctoral Programme of Humans and Technologies, with the Games & Gamification specialization. Games have been chosen also as a strategic research focus in Tampere University, and there is a related profiling area, Games as a Platform to Tackle Grand Challenges.

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated and accomplished scholar who will actively and innovatively contribute to research and teaching in the area of Game Studies. In line with the profile of the university, the Unit of Communication Sciences emphasizes cultural and societal aspects of communication and media. The applicant is expected to demonstrate a competence in Game Studies both in research and teaching relative to the career level. Their publications are expected to include research in game studies with a particular focus on topical and expanding research themes of this field, such as cultural player studies, ludic literacy and the questions of power, gender and inclusion in game cultures, complementing the wide-ranging research themes of the Unit of Communication Sciences. Along with expertise in the role of games and play in society and culture, and their qualitative research, multidisciplinary approaches in contemporary new media research and digital cultural studies are desirable; we also warmly welcome applicants from other disciplinary perspectives with a set of diverse methodological approaches and combinations to the study of current and emerging topics in game studies. We appreciate a strong Game Studies research focus that enriches our understanding of games, players, game experiences, game making, and the related societal and cultural practices.

The Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences offers a unique multidisciplinary environment. Research groups working on areas such as robotics, virtual and augmented reality, multimodal genres (games, visual journalism, audio description etc.), usability and accessibility issues create a vibrant community for interdisciplinary collaboration. We welcome applicants who offer novel approaches to cultural analysis utilizing the unique opportunities of this multidisciplinary environment.

You are also expected to lead, conduct and develop research-led teaching, curriculum development and student supervision in Game Studies, acquire research funding and demonstrate effective academic leadership engaging with society.

As a professor of Game Studies, you will also be invited to participate in research and teaching in the joint profile areas of the Unit of Communication Sciences, research communities of Taru Research Centre for Communication Sciences, the Game Research Lab, Games as a Platform for Tackling Grand Challenges -profiling area and the Degree Programme of Game Studies. For more information, see the web pages:

• https://www.tuni.fi/en/about-us/communication-sciences
• https://www.tuni.fi/en/research/taru-research-centre-communication-sciences
• https://www.tuni.fi/en/research/profi-6-games-platform-tackle-grand-challenges 
• https://gameresearchlab.tuni.fi
• https://www.tuni.fi/en/study-with-us/game-studies

Tampere University follows national and international agreements and recommendations of responsible researcher assessment. In researcher assessment, it should be noted that research activities generate many kinds of outcomes, such as research data, research method descriptions, and publications (scientific articles, conference presentations, monographs, dissertations, and other communication). Researchers work in responsible positions in science such as teachers and supervisors, peer reviewers, pre-examiners, and editors in scientific journals. They have roles in scientific societies and conferences, and they act as academic leaders in their organisations. Many also have other societal roles in which they have impact on science and society. Merits in research-based teaching, supervision and development of teaching are taken into account in the candidate assessment. 

Requirements

Assistant Professor

We require

• applicable doctoral degree
• ability to undertake independent scholarly activity and potential to pursue scholarly activity at a high international level of excellence
• teaching skills required to successfully perform the duties and functions of the position

Associate Professor

We require

• applicable doctoral degree
• track record of independent scholarly activity
• teaching skills required to successfully perform the duties and functions of the position
• ability to lead a research group and acquire external funding
• track record of international scholarly activity

Professor

We require

• applicable doctoral degree
• high-level international scholarly expertise
• experience in leading research
• ability to provide high-quality research-based teaching and instruction
• track record of winning external research funding
• track record of international scholarly activity

We are looking for a candidate whose research aligns with the focus areas and strategy of the Unit of Communication Sciences (see the new Taru Research Centre) and who can work in a multidisciplinary environment. 

We offer

The initial appointment as assistant or associate professor will be for five years. Subject to successful performance, you will become a tenured faculty member at the end of the first five-year period. You will be well supported throughout the five-year period to ease your transition to a tenured position. Full professors will hold a permanent appointment from the outset. Read more about the tenure track career system at Tampere University. A trial period of six months applies to all our new employees.

Salaries are based on the job demands and employees’ personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. The typical starting salary range is €4600-4900/month for an assistant professor, €5300-5800/month for an associate professor and €6400-6700/month for a full professor. However, salary is agreed based on the successful candidate’s experience and/or performance on an individual basis. 

We offer you the opportunity to join our dynamic and innovative international community. As a member of staff at Tampere University, you will enjoy a range of competitive benefits, such as a flexible work schedule, good facilities for teleworking, occupational healthcare services, a variety of affordable food and drink outlets across our campuses and a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities in your free time. Follow this link for more information about working at Tampere University. You can also learn more about the university and about working and living in Tampere by watching our video: Tampere Higher Education Community - our academic playground

Located between two big lakes, Tampere is Finland’s third largest city and the biggest inland city in the Nordic countries. Nature is close everywhere you turn your head in Tampere. Coupled with a strong industrial tradition. this makes Tampere a unique environment for living and working. At present, the region hosts a great deal of industry and service businesses, and the city of Tampere is a major hub for the Finnish ICT industry. For more information on Tampere, please check VisitTampere, Welcome to Tampere and International House Tampere.

It should be noted that Tampere is a hotspot of game studies and game culture; the Finnish Museum of Games is located in Tampere, the Digital Games Research Association DiGRA was established in Tampere, and games are notable and visible parts of life in the Tampere University, the City of Tampere, and also more generally in the Finnish society.

Finland has one of the most advanced and comprehensive social security systems in the world. It includes, for example, sickness benefits, various family benefits and comprehensive healthcare. For more information on Finland, please check InfoFinland and This is Finland.

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system (link below). The closing date for applications is August 9, 2024 at 23:59 EEST / UTC +3. Please write your application and all accompanying documents in English and attach them in PDF format. Applications should include the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae according to TENK guidelines
• List of publications according to the Academy of Finland guidelines. Please indicate your ten most important publications and a link to those. You may also save the publications in a cloud file and provide a link to it.
• Teaching portfolio (according to the Tampere University guidelines)
• A cover letter in which you set out the reasons why you are applying for the post and why you are particularly suited to it (max. 1-2 pages)
• A research plan including your research vision for the future in the field communication sciences and game studies (max. 5 pages)
• The names, positions and contact details of two referees who can support your application.
• Doctoral diploma in the original language. If the original language is other than Finnish, Swedish or English, please provide an official translation in one of those languages.

For more information, please contact:

Marko Ala-Fossi, Head of Unit (Communication Sciences), marko.ala-fossi(at)tuni.fi

For questions regarding the application process, please contact HR Specialist Teuvo Moilanen,  teuvo.moilanen(at)tuni.fi

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 Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat yhdessä Suomen toiseksi suurimman monitieteisen, innostavan ja vaikuttavan tutkimus- ja oppimisyhteisön. Korkeakouluyhteisömme osaamiskärjet ovat tekniikka, terveys ja yhteiskunta. Lue lisää: www.tuni.fi

Tampereen yliopistossa on haettavana tenure track -tutkijan, tenure track -professorin tai professorin tehtävä pelitutkimuksen alalla

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Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta). Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 9.8.2024, klo 23:59.