Principles of recruitment

Effective recruitment

Successful recruitments support the implementation of the University of Oulu’s strategy and strengthen the university’s expertise and attractiveness. Those involved in recruitment act in accordance with the university’s values, guidelines, and processes. Our communication with applicants is active, fair, and clear throughout the process.

Openness, transparency, and merit-based recruitment​

The University of Oulu is committed to the European Commission’s recruitment principles, which emphasize openness, transparency, and merit (Open, transparent and merit-based recruitment (OTM‑R) at the University of Oulu) as the foundation for our recruitment. In addition, Finland’s Act on the Openness of Government Activities requires the university to operate openly and transparently. We always recruit the most suitable candidate who meets the requirements of the position.

Equality and non-discrimination​

Our equal and non-discriminatory recruitment practices promote diversity and support internationalisation. Together, our employees from different backgrounds create a diverse, multi-perspective academic community.

Our recruitment process is guided by equality and non-discrimination legislation and by the policies and goals defined in the University of Oulu’s Equality and Diversity Plan.​ Selections are based on competence and merits, and at every stage of the recruitment process, we take non-discrimination into account and recognise unconscious biases.

Impartiality​

The purpose of disqualification rules is to promote impartial decision-making. In selections, we follow the disqualification provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, including the grounds for disqualification.​ This means that a disqualified person may not take part in decision-making on the recruitment or in its preparation when assessing applicants who meet the eligibility requirements.​

Responsible assessment of researchers​

In recruitment, we require qualitative assessment, which quantitative indicators may support but never replace. In selections, we follow the principles of responsible researcher assessment, which are based on the national recommendation on responsible research assessment, the DORA declaration, and the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment.

1. Submitting an application

   When you find an open position that interests you, fill out the application in our recruitment system. The link to the system can be found in the job advertisement.

2. Confirmation message

   Once you have submitted your application and it has been received in our recruitment system, you will receive a confirmation message at the email address you provided.

   We will keep all applicants informed about the progress of the recruitment process.

3. Interview(s)

   After the initial screening, we invite the most suitable candidates to an interview, which may involve one or more rounds. The interview assesses, among other things, your competence and motivation for the position you applied for.

4. Assessments

   Depending on the position, the selection process may include additional assessments alongside interviews, such as a suitability assessment, a scientific merit assessment, and a teaching competence assessment.

5. Recruitment decision and notification

   We will notify you once the hiring process has been completed on your end. Once the hiring process is complete, you will also receive a candidate feedback survey regarding your experience with the application process.

6. Welcome to the University of Oulu

   Once you have signed the employment contract, your work at the university will begin as agreed, and you will join the orientation process.

   Great to have you as part of our work community!

Your background information collected on the application form is not used in the selection. The information is used only to meet our reporting obligations (Ministry of Education and Culture) and for identification purposes in archiving. The steps and duration of the recruitment process may vary depending on which open position you are applying for.

Click the links below to learn more about the tenure track recruitment process and how we assess teaching competence.

At the University of Oulu, we offer a wide range of career opportunities in research and teaching, as well as in various expert and specialist roles.