Career stories

The University of Eastern Finland’s campuses in Joensuu and Kuopio are home to more than 3,000 experts in different fields. All in all, there are 255 different professional titles in our work community. We are also a genuinely international academic community: our employees hail from 77 different countries.

On this website, our employees talk about their work and about the university as a work community. Join us!

Jussi Hyvärinen’s work is fuelled by science and art

Jussi Hyvärinen, a library information specialist and an award-winning poet, understands the languages of science and art.

Coaching for success in international funding programmes

Research Manager Eevi Laukkanen re-joined the academic community in Finland after years spent abroad.

Precision and creativity go hand in hand when working in a scientific library

Senior Information Specialist Tuulevi Ovaska develops communications at the University of Eastern Finland Library and provides information retrieval support for the academic community.

Norssin hyvinvointivalmentaja koulun pihalla.

A school coach always has time for pupils

Lower secondary school pupils can reach Inkeri Tiitinen at school and on social media.

Historia- ja maantieteiden laitoksen johtaja Pieter Dhondt polkupyöränsä kanssa.

A close-knit scientific community enables direct interaction

Having a background in university history, Head of Department Pieter Dhondt plays a role in shaping the future of the university.

A systems analyst’s trouble-shooting is supported by a good team

Working in the customer service team at Digital Services, Tommi Eskelinen helps to resolve even the trickiest problems.

Big employer, good benefits

Working in Digital Services of the University of Eastern Finland, Mari Lackman is pleased with the university's equal and open-minded atmosphere.

Tomi Oinas gets to develop research methodology on a full-time basis

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies’ very own Staff Scientist is tasked with developing the faculty’s data-intensive research infrastructures and methodological expertise.

Everyday life in the teacher training school is diverse

For teacher Mari Hakanen at the Rantakylä Teacher Training School, the success of her pupils and smooth interaction with them is an important motivator.

An interdisciplinary community sparks innovative research

Professor of Chemical Ecology James Blande and his research group at the University of Eastern Finland focus on plant stress responses and plant-to-plant interactions.

Drawn to neuroscience by curiosity, brought to Kuopio by lucky chance

Associate Professor Alina Solomon conducts international brain research at the University of Eastern Finland – while enjoying the quiet and nature.

An IT Solutions Architect likes the company of people best

Successful process and technology solutions bring added value to the everyday life of their users. For Tomi Kontio, that’s rewarding.

New staff scientist role allows Kimmo Jokivarsi to focus on imaging equipment for research

The University of Eastern Finland has recruited new staff scientists who specialise in research infrastructure and research methodology.

An electronics tinkerer builds, maintains and teaches – and busts some myths along the way

Senior Laboratory Technician Tommi Itkonen found his field through studies in physics and interest in electronics.

Smooth transition from studying law to teaching and studying it

Anu Puustinen worked in the restaurant industry for a long time before finding a new career path, thanks to studies in law.

From chauffeuring the Rector to keeping the keys to the university

Facility Secretary Kjell Grinden enjoys the university's international atmosphere and concrete, varied work.

Making teachers’ voice better heard

The Facilitators are working to reform the university's teaching in a more blended and flexible direction. One of them is University Lecturer in English Susanna Kohonen at the Language Centre.

Learn more about our new professors

UEF Distinguished Professor Frank Sobott brings cutting-edge mass spectrometry expertise to the University of Eastern Finland

The recruitment of the university’s first UEF Distinguished Professor at the Department of Chemistry is a new opening to boost international collaboration and strategic research.

Sanna Salmi appointed as Professor of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases

Professor Sanna Salmi's research focuses on a constellation of diseases comprising asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis and NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Harri Kokkola appointed as Professor of Aerosol-Cloud Interactions

“I’m optimistic about how political actors and the business community already have promoted green technology,” Professor of Aerosol-Cloud Interactions Harri Kokkola says.

Seita Romppanen appointed as Professor of Environmental Law, especially sustainability transition

According to Professor of Environmental Law Seita Romppanen, the sustainability transition poses challenges to law both as a system and as an academic discipline.

Henrik Heräjärvi appointed as Professor of Wood Products Technology

For the environment, building something new is almost always the worst solution, Henrik Heräjärvi, Professor of Wood Products Technology, says.

Leo Kärkkäinen appointed as Professor of Embedded Systems

Artificial intelligence and automation are changing the world much like the industrial revolution did, Professor of Embedded Systems Leo Kärkkäinen says.

Annakaisa Haapasalo appointed as Professor of Molecular Neurodegeneration

A working-age person’s strange behaviour may be a sign of frontotemporal dementia – patient-derived cells now provide new insights into the disease. Annakaisa Haapasalo’s interest in the disease was sparked by its complex nature and strong hereditariness.

Anna-Maija Castrén appointed as Professor of Sociology

"Family forms have become increasingly diverse – a change that sometimes escapes attention in Finland,” Professor Anna-Maija Castrén says.

Erkko Sointu appointed as Professor of Special Education

Teachers’ broader expertise in special education would benefit teaching and studying also in higher education institutions. At best, it could even affect employment.

Sonja Kosunen appointed Professor of General Education

Sonja Kosunen, new professor of general education, has studied the relationship between social class and school in Finland. The topic evokes many emotions but offers an important perspective on the discussion on education policy.

News

University of Eastern Finland succeeded in an international sustainability ranking

Open science as part of researcher assessment

Research Council of Finland grants funding for research infrastructure – UEF participates in five projects

Events

Juha Mehtonen, MSc: Doctoral Defence in Molecular Medicine, Kuopio

Iñaki Urzainki, MSc: Doctoral defence in Forestry, Joensuu

Rijal Ramdani, MPA: Doctoral Defence in Environmental Policy, Joensuu

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