Tenure system positions

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.