Lehtorin

Lehtori is a Finnish academic title referring to a lecturer in higher education. In Finnish, lehtorin is the genitive form of lehtori and appears in phrases describing the lecturer’s duties or position, such as lehtorin tehtävä or lehtorin virka. The title is used at both universities and universities of applied sciences (ammattikorkeakoulu, AMK), and it denotes a mid‑level role within the academic staff.

Responsibilities and scope: Lehtorin duties typically combine teaching and, to varying degrees, research and scholarly activity. Common obligations include delivering courses, supervising bachelor's and master's theses, contributing to curriculum development, and participating in research projects. Collaboration with other faculty, supervision of student work, and engagement with industry or external partners are often part of the role, depending on the institution and field.

Qualifications and recruitment: In universities of applied sciences, lehtorit usually hold a master's degree and possess significant professional experience related to their teaching field. In universities, the position often requires a doctoral degree or a strong research track record, along with demonstrated teaching ability. The exact requirements vary by institution, faculty, and discipline.

Career path: The title can be part of a progression that includes higher ranks such as vanhempi lehtori (senior lecturer) and yliopistonlehtori (university lecturer). From there, individuals may advance toward professori (professor) if they meet further criteria for research, teaching, and leadership. In addition, the title dosentti (docent) exists in the Finnish system as a separate, often honorary, recognition of scholarly expertise.

Overview: Lehtori represents a key tier in Finland’s dual emphasis on teaching and research within higher education, with responsibilities and requirements that vary by institution and sector.