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In 2025, we will recruit leaders to every faculty of our University. In addition to strategic leadership skills, the searched persons should be skilled with people and able to build the community spirit. They are future-oriented and wish to grow and develop as leaders.

Through the application period ending on 15 August, Deans will be selected for the new term of office for each of the six JYU faculties. The new term of office will begin on 1 January 2026. 
 

Deans lead the faculty’s operations, influence the emphasis on research fields, and build the community spirit

Prerequisites for succeeding in Dean’s post include both sufficient academic merits and skills to lead people, influence and network.

The Dean leads the operation of the faculty and is accountable for taking care of the duties under the faculty’s responsibility in a productive, economic and efficient way. Through recruitments, the Dean also has influence on the emphasis of the faculty’s research fields. Deans collaborate with other University leadership, promoting purposefully our community’s strategic goals. 

The University Board decided in April to change the eligibility criteria for Deans. This means that in the future also applicants from outside the Ģ��ֱ�� can apply for a Deanship at JYU.

“Deans are in a key position in our University. Through their leadership, they create possibilities for successful and high standard operation of our community. Deans also play an important role in defining a future direction for the whole University through the management teams. At the same time, they are a connecting factor between faculties and the University, and are visible persons in society. I encourage to apply these challenging but interesting posts,” says Rector Jari Ojala. 
 

JYULead is our coaching approach to leadership

Our University offers Deans comprehensive induction to the different aspects of university management. The JYULead service entity is modified to support daily work and growth as a leader. Our purpose is to provide individual mentoring and coaching services for new managers.

Our university rules for good leadership outline a value basis for leadership with a special emphasis on goal-oriented coaching. Leaders are expected to build community spirit and appreciation with their presence: by listening to and respecting the members of the community, feeding curiosity and renewal, and taking care of the functioning of the working community. In addition, a leader is expected to be able to show the way toward the future and to get others along as well as to set ambitious, yet reachable goals.  
 

The role of Dean is challenging and interesting

Sarianna Sipilä, Dean of the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, took up her position at the beginning of 2022. 

"The role of Dean is challenging and interesting. As the Dean of the Faculty, I have tried to ensure sufficient conditions for high-quality teaching and research and to encourage the staff of Finland's only Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences to engage in broad social interaction. It is very important that staff and students have the opportunity to work successfully and achieve the goals and objectives they have set themselves. Through the success of staff and students, the Faculty also has the opportunity to succeed," she says.

"The Dean's role opens up the work of the Faculty and the university as a whole, as well as the policies that guide the higher education landscape, in a new and exciting way. Close collaboration with the Deans, Rector and Vice Rectors helps to structure broader issues and alternative ways of working, which are often useful for developing one's own activities and the faculty as a whole. I consider the role of Dean to be a very important and interesting one, with the opportunity to influence the basic conditions in which scientific knowledge and expertise are created and developed."

The role of the Dean is to be an influential voice in the activities of the Dean's unit and the University, as well as in national university policy.

The Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Mikko Mönkkönen, took up his post at the beginning of 2018.

"The role of the Dean is an influential platform for the activities of the Dean's unit and the university, as well as for national university policy. The Dean's job is truly a multifaceted academic leadership role. Within the Faculty, I have had the opportunity to influence the resources and organisation of research and education and, through this, the impact of our activities on science and society.

I have had the opportunity to work with other departments and the University's management and services to develop the University's activities as a whole, based on its strategy and values. Working as part of networks has provided opportunities for involvement in national and international university policy.

The Dean's job requires the ability to work with others to chart a course for the future that the community finds valuable and inspiring."

Dean recruitment schedule

• The application period ends on 15 August, see more /fi/meista/tule-meille-toihin
• The review period after the application period will include candidate interviews, discussion events in faculties, and possible leadership reviews
• The Rector will appoint the Deans in October 2025
• The new Deans will start on 1 January 2026