Aalto University is an interdisciplinary community of bold thinkers where science and art meet technology and business. Aalto’s core strategy follows three cross-cutting themes: sustainable solutions, entrepreneurial mindset and radical creativity. Aalto University has six schools with nearly 13 000 students and more than 400 professors. Our campuses are located in Espoo and Helsinki, Finland.   

The Aalto School of Arts, Design and Architecture (ARTS) is a Nordic leader in higher education for design, fashion, games, media, architecture, film, art education and fine art. We produce world-class research e.g. in design, fashion, digital media and visual culture, art education, urban planning and architecture. Our graduates innovate in and beyond their fields, drawing on over a century of tradition of our institution, a humane and forward-looking approach, and the latest technologies.  

The Department of Design is a community of creative and responsible researchers and design experts. We educate front-line design professionals and visionaries for established, changing and emerging fields of design. (Department of Design | Aalto University) 

University Lecturer/Senior University Lecturer, Sustainable materials   

The call is open for a University Lecturer or Senior University Lecturer on the lecture track. The position will begin in the autumn 2026 or early 2027. The position is full-time and permanent.

Job description

The Sustainable Materials lectureship plays a vital role in advancing knowledge and practice in sustainable materials within the Department of Design. The lecturer is expected to possess a strong understanding of materials, and use of materials in design context or from CMF field (colour-material-finish), while also bringing fresh perspectives to sustainable material innovations. The field is dynamic and expansive, covering a wide range of materials used across diverse design sectors and design applications. These may include bio-based, eco-friendly, renewable, or recycled materials applied in areas such as textile and/or product design. The role also requires proficiency in material sustainability assessment methods and close monitoring of European Commission policy developments related to materials and their use in the design, production, and recycling of products.

Engagement with diverse design audiences and interesting partners—especially in manufacturing and design-driven commercial contexts—is a key part of the role. The post-holder has a doctoral degree in Design, Materials Design, Materials Research or a related field, demonstrating deep and rigorous understanding of materials development. They will teach across the Department’s undergraduate and graduate programmes and majors.

Your role and goals 

You will support students in establishing their independent and critical thinking about the use of materials in the design process. This will include teaching, advising students through tutorial contact and undertaking curriculum development. In addition, an important part of lecturer’s duties is participation in research and research programmes.

You will engage students in understanding the complex relationships between industrial organising, regulatory frameworks, sustainability issues relating to materials and design. You are able to teach assessment methods in connection to materials, material use in production, use phase and end of life stages.

A successful applicant is expected to take on the following responsibilities, depending on the level of appointment: 

Designing and offering student-oriented, high-quality teaching and supervising at undergraduate and graduate levels. Teaching responsibilities would comprise 50% to 70% of the overall workload.  
Participating in research, including the funding applications, research seminars, workshops and conferences. 
Participating in administrative tasks and educational development at the level of Department and School.  
Interacting in various ways with society in alignment with Aalto University’s outreach and impact ambitions.

Your experience and ambitions 

We are looking for a candidate with:

A doctoral degree in Design, Material Design or in Materials Research or related field
Proficiency in methods for assessing material sustainability, such as life cycle assessment (LCA)
Strong knowledge of different materials and their use in design and industrial contexts (e.g. in textile and/or product design)
Expertise in sustainability across the full lifecycle, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to use and end-of-life management
Proven ability to teach in university education 
Demonstrated capability on collaboration with designers, interest holders, and/or industry actors
Proven expertise and documented track record in research and teaching related to materials and sustainability
Capacity to undertake and publish research
Familiarity with policy developments related to materials
Ability to communicate and engage with students in lively and accessible ways 
Finnish language is a merit

What we offer 

We offer the opportunity of working in a dynamic world-class community of creative professionals and researchers, with a remit to continuously explore the frontiers of design research and practice. 

The salary is determined according to the applicant's experience and qualifications. Activities are mainly located in the Otaniemi campus of Aalto University in Espoo, part of the capital region of Finland. Aalto University provides its employees with occupational health care services and excellent learning and development opportunities. Finland is a healthy and safe living environment, offering many excellent state-subsidized services including affordable day care and free schools and universities, which are consistently ranked among the best in the world.  

Aalto University follows EU rules and regulations on HR policies. Based on the regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems, full-time employment at Aalto University is inconsistent with residence abroad. Employment duties need to be performed in Finland. The specific responsibilities and salary are determined based on the applicant’s qualifications and level of position.  

Ready to apply?

The following materials should be submitted in English and in PDF format through our recruitment system Workday by midnight Finnish time (GMT +2) May 4th, 2026.

Motivation letter (one page) 
Curriculum Vitae; Please use the template recommended by The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK), Template for researcher's curriculum vitae | Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK
List of Publications
Vision of the field of max 3 pages describing your orientation and future outlook
Teaching portfolio according to Aalto guidelines, Teaching-competence-assessment_Guidelines-for-a-candidate_2024_Aalto-University.pdf
A practice/research portfolio (presenting max 3 works/projects)

In case you already work at Aalto University, please apply for the position by using your existing Workday user account! Please see how to do it here.

If you want to know more about the position, please contact Professor Kirsi Niinimäki, kirsi.niinimaki(at)aalto.fi

In recruitment related questions, please contact HR Partner Katju Helminen, katju.helminen(at)aalto.fi

Lecturer career system | Aalto University

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University/Senior University Lecturer, Sustainable Materials