LUT School of Engineering Sciences is hiring a professor in artificial intelligence for software engineering.
The position is located at the Department of Software Engineering of the LUT School of Engineering Sciences. The School's mission is to train problem-solvers in engineering and contribute to a wider understanding of our world through research in technology. Our research and education are characterised by an entrepreneurial, global and sustainable mindset. The focus areas of the Department of Software Engineering include software development, digital transformation, and user-centred design. The department develops practices and software technologies that enhance software quality, increase software development productivity, and introduce new innovations in software. The research is often driven by empirical evidence and deals with IT artifacts produced and used by professionals, citizens, and organisations at the workplace, in society, and in various markets.
The professorship is situated at the assistant, associate or full professor levels of the tenure track and will be filled through an open application process for a fixed term of four years (assistant/associate professor) or permanently (full professor). The tenure track system offers researchers a possibility to advance to the next level, provided they meet the requirements in the promotion reviews.
The professorship will be located in LUT's Lappeenranta campus, Finland. The work will start with a six-month trial period.
The candidates must present up-to-date research merits in topics related to artificial intelligence in relation to software engineering. The topics and areas of expertise of the professorship include, for example:
- using AI to improve software engineering
- effects of AI on software security, software quality, maintenance, or other areas in software development
- using AI in code generation, software testing, architecture design, or other software process phases
- integrating AI and machine learning into software systems
- explainable and responsible AI models for software development
- using design science in creating and evaluating AI tools for software development
- AI agents in collaborative software development
- using AI for knowledge management in software development.
In addition, we value experience in successful project work and research collaboration with industry. Proof of and potential in high-impact international publishing and experience in the acquisition of competitive external funding are valued. The candidates are also expected to be familiar with the business aspects of the research area and to participate in collaboration with businesses and/or the public sector. Documented cross-disciplinary and international cooperation is considered an advantage. The candidates must be ready to shape the research field as needed based on the demands of education and research and to collaborate across disciplines within the school and with other LUT research groups. Practical experience in the field is not a requirement in this position, but it is considered an advantage. Spoken and written fluency in English is required.
The candidates are required to have a doctorate and must have research and teaching merits, proof of effective research and the acquisition of external research funding, and international experience.
The duties include the promotion of research in the specified area and evolution in LUT’s key strategic areas in cooperation with all LUT schools. The duties include basic and advanced education and programme development in the key areas of software engineering. We provide international education, and master’s level education is arranged in English. The duties related to the field of research include the following:
- high-impact international research
- preparation of national and international research and education projects
- planning and implementation of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral education
- supervision of final theses and doctoral studies
- increasing awareness in a way that serves industry and the economy
- taking part in the preparation of projects in other LUT units as an expert
- general administrative work related to the university's operation.
The appointment process description explains the qualification requirements and tenure track appointment criteria.
The salary is determined according to the salary system for university teaching and research personnel. The pay will include an individual pay component based on performance and competence. The annual gross salary for an assistant/associate professor amounts to 50 500 - 68 000 euros and full professor 70 000 - 104 800 euros depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. In addition to a competitive salary, the wide range of benefits that come with this job include a holiday bonus, a generous holiday entitlement, research incentive scheme with personal rewards for high quality publications, flexible working hours, occupational health care, a collegial faculty environment and continued commitment for your support, learning, training and development.
The closing date for applications is 11 August 2025 at 12 noon, Finnish local time (UTC + 3h). Please submit your application and all required attachments by filling out the online form. All application documents must be in English and in PDF format. The application must include the following:
- a curriculum vitae (max. 10 pages)
- a copy of the candidate's doctoral diploma
- a full list of publications, including the total number of publications in the Scopus database, the total number of citations, the h-index and Scopus ID, and equivalent information from the candidate’s Google Scholar profile
- a separate list of the 10 publications or less selected for expert evaluation, especially from the area of artificial intelligence for software engineering
- the 10 publications or less mentioned above as separated files
- a teaching portfolio or an equivalent account of the candidate's teaching qualifications, presenting courses taught by the candidate, related feedback, the candidate’s pedagogical training and teaching philosophy (max. 10 pages)
- an account of the candidate's merits and activities of significance to the vacancy (max. 3 pages)
- an account of the candidate’s vision on the development of education, research and projects in the field of the professorship at LUT University (max. 3 pages).
Please specify the tenure track level applied to.
For further information, please contact Professor Kari Smolander, +358 40 546 3493, [email protected].
Read more about the Department of Software Engineering.
Read more about the LUT School of Engineering Sciences.
Information for international staff
LUT University | LUT University seeks solutions to global issues with its expertise in technology, business, and social sciences. LUT is a trailblazer in promoting the energy transition and the regenerative use of natural resources and helps build resilient communities, industry, and businesses through data, research, and education. LUT's campuses are in Lappeenranta and Lahti, Finland, but its impact is global. Lut.fi/en
Technical support for using the recruitment system: [email protected].
