Central to the academic career model of Tallinn University is the tenure track system with professor positions of stable job security. Career levels of the tenure track system professor position comprise those of the associate professor, professor and full professor. The main strategic objective of the establishment of the tenure track system is the guarantee of high academic capacity in the focus fields of the university. An important role of a tenure track system professor is to be the academic leader of the relevant study and research field. To finance tenure track system positions, Tenure Fund has been established in the university.

Professor positions are created and eliminated by the Senate who decided to create 45-55 tenure track system positions during the transition period to the new career model (01.09.2019-31.08.2024). On this basis, the Rector negotiated with the councils of Schools the creation of tenure track system positions, determining the number of positions in study areas and making recommendations on the creation of tenure profiles.

As a result of this process, the councils of Schools submitted proposals on the creation of tenure track system positions together with the descriptions of the positions or position profiles. The submitted profiles were assessed by the Tenure Committee to ensure strategic view and uniform quality by providing feedback to the Schools for complementing and retargeting the profiles, where necessary.

Following the final assessment of the Tenure Committee, the Rector submitted a justified proposal to the Senate on the creation of 55 tenure track system positions. By the Senate decisions of 27 January and 15 June 2020, 55 tenure track system positions were created, which will be filled during the transition period to the new career model, lasting until 31 August 2024. 29 professor positions will be filled by way of public competition and 26 positions by way of evaluation of the current professors.

Filling more than half of tenure track system positions by way of public competition creates an opportunity for successful young researchers from Estonia and abroad to enter the tenure track system. An applicant to the tenure track system professor position to be filled by way of public competition must at least meet the requirements for the first level of the career system of the position (associate professor). The selected professor commences work on the first career level of the position with the aim of supporting their development into a leader of the relevant study and research field in Tallinn University, and moves to the second career level of the position by way of evaluation.

Professors working in Tallinn University under the employment contract for an indefinite term concluded before 1st September 2019 move to the tenure track system positions brought into line with their profiles by way of evaluation. Positions of distinguished professors are also created in parallel on the basis of existing professorships. These academic employees who meet the criteria for professor positions and successfully apply for dedicated funding (e.g. research grants) have the possibility of advancing to professor positions in the new career model outside of the tenure track system.

Tenure system positions filled since 2020

Academic Unit Position Professor
Baltic Film, Media and Arts School Professor of Documentary Film Riho Västrik
Baltic Film, Media and Arts School Professor of Intecultural Communication Anastassia Zabrodskaja
Baltic Film, Media and Arts School Professor of Media Innovation Indrek Ibrus
Baltic Film, Media and Arts School Professor of Media Management and Economics Ulrike Rohn
Baltic Film, Media and Arts School Professor of Participatory Culture Katrin Tiidenberg
School of Digital Technologies Professor of Technology-enhanced Learning Kairit Tammets
School of Digital Technologies Professor of Human-Computer Interaction David Lamas
School of Digital Technologies Professor on Mathematics and Computing Education Mart Laanpere
School of Digital Technologies Professor of Applied Mathematics Jorge E. Macías-Díaz
School of Educational Sciences Professor of Primary Education Inge Timoštšuk
School of Educational Sciences Professor of Educational Leadership Eve Eisenschmidt
School of Educational Sciences Professor of Inclusive and Special Education Piret Soodla
School of Educational Sciences Professor of Adult Education and Non-Formal Learning Kai Pata
School of Educational Sciences Professor of Teacher Education Katrin Poom-Valickis
School of Educational Sciences Professor of Learning Analytics and Educational Innovation Tobias Ley
School of Humanities Professor of English Julia Kuznetski
School of Humanities Professor of Estonian Language Reili Argus
School of Humanities Professor of Chinese Studies Lisa Indraccolo
School of Humanities Professor of Human Geography Hannes Palang
School of Humanities Professor of Cultural History Marek Tamm
School of Humanities Professor of Urban Studies Tauri Tuvikene
School of Humanities Professor of Semiotics and Translation Studies Daniele Monticelli
School of Humanities Professor of Russian Studies Kapitolina Fedorova
School of Humanities Professor of Comparative Literature Eneken Laanes
School of Natural Sciences and Health Professor of Biopolymer Chemistry Rando Tuvikene
School of Natural Sciences and Health Professor of Physics Tõnu Laas
School of Natural Sciences and Health Professor of Cultural and Neuropsychology Aaro Toomela
School of Natural Sciences and Health Professor of Health Behaviour and Sports Biology Kristjan Port
School of Natural Sciences and Health Professor of Ecohydrology Jaanus Terasmaa
School of Governance, Law and Society Professor of Human Rights Law Mart Susi
School of Governance, Law and Society Professor of Demography Allan Puur
School of Governance, Law and Society Professor of International Law and Security Studies Tiina Pajuste
School of Governance, Law and Society Professor of Social and Population Policy Lauri Leppik
School of Governance, Law and Society Professor of Social Health Care Merike Sisask
School of Governance, Law and Society Professor of Social Work Karmen Toros
School of Governance, Law and Society Professor of Sociology of Work and Education Kadri Täht

Tenure system positions to be filled by public competitions (2022-2024)

School Position
School of Educational Sciences Professor of Didactics: Innovation in Teaching and Learning
School of Educational Sciences Professor of Educational Psychology
School of Educational Sciences Professor of Educational Theory and Comparative Education
School of Humanities Professor of Language Didactics
School of Natural Sciences and Health Professor of Kinesiology 
School of Natural Sciences and Health Professor of School and Counselling Psychology
School of Natural Sciences and Health Professor of Didactics of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences and Health Professor of of Systems Biology
School of Natural Sciences and Health Professor of Forensic Psychology
School of Governance, Law and Society Professor of Sociology of the Life Course

 

The list of the positions to be filled and the timetable for the completion may change as the Senate decides accordingly.

Additional information about the public competition to fill the tenure system position is available on Academic Competition website.