On 29 February, a public competition for vacant academic positions at Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI) will begin. Candidates are invited to submit documents until 29 March. The start of work is expected on 1 September, 2024.

Persons are recruited for the positions of academic staff (associate professor (docent), assistant, senior lecturer, lecturer) through public competition for a five-year term, in accordance with the requirements of the Republic of Lithuania Law on Higher Education and Research.

For the first time Kauno kolegija is looking for more than 250 academic employees

Vice Director for Organisational Development Dr Inga Stravinskienė notes that this is the first time that a competition for vacant academic positions at the Kauno kolegija HEI of this scope is being organised – more than 250 academic employees are being sought.

“In response to the amendments to the Law on Higher Education and Research, related to the established system of academic staff positions, which is new for the higher education sector, for the first time Kauno kolegija HEI is announcing such a large-scale competition: there are 283 vacant positions for associate professors (docents), assistants, senior lecturers and lecturers,” says Vice Director for Organisational Development Dr I. Stravinskienė. She also reminds that the requirements for the positions of associate professor (docent) and assistant are based on the list of mandatory competences for the career stages of researchers at higher education and research institutions approved by the Research Council of Lithuania.

She draws attention to the fact that competitive positions were formed in order to gather competent academic staff and that our institution’s priority is to have as many employees working full-time as possible.

“Therefore, we strongly invite professional academic employees, researchers to join the Kauno kolegija HEI community and create value by educating future specialists, conducting applied scientific research and developing art,” Dr I. Stravinskienė encourages to apply for vacant positions.

Procedure of the public competition

Head of the Human Resources Unit Renata Krygerienė points out that applicants who meet the qualification requirements for vacant positions, approved by the Academic Board of Kauno kolegija HEI, are invited to apply for the positions of associate professors (docent), assistant, senior lecturer and lecturer in various fields of study.

“The procedure of competition will include several stages. First, the employees of the Human Resources Unit will check whether all the specified documents have been submitted. If not all documents are submitted, the applicant will be notified about this, indicating a deadline of 3 working days to eliminate the deficiencies. If the deficiencies are not eliminated, the applicant’s candidacy will not be considered any further.

After the verification of the documents, the compliance of the applicants with the qualification requirements and mandatory competences of the researchers will be checked by the commission, which includes the responsible employees of the administration departments, coordinating the applied research activities, studies, internationalisation, project activities, etc. If the applicant does not meet the mandatory qualification requirements and/or competences, he/she will not participate in the competition,” says R. Krygerienė.

Next, candidates are invited to the committee meetings for discussion. Candidates will introduce the commission to the results of scientific research and/or art activities, project activities, published study publications or other academic activities, and will answer the questions of the commission members.

“During the discussion will be considered whether the candidates meet the faculty’s scientific and/or study directions and the specific requirements for holding positions in the tender conditions, as well as discuss the 5-year activity plan submitted by the candidate. A fixed-term employment contract for a period of 5 years will be concluded with the person who won the competition for the position, or, if the person already worked at the Kauno kolegija HEI on the basis of an open-ended contract and won the competition for another position, the employment relationship will be continued according to the open-ended contract,” shares the Head of the Human Resources Unit.

She notes that the competition for vacant academic positions is carried out in accordance with the principles of transparency, impartiality, attracting competences, non-discrimination, objectivity, equality, respect, and confidentiality.

Benefits package for employees

In order to attract motivated, competent employees and ensure their well-being, Kauno kolegija HEI strives to respond to their needs, create a supportive environment, ensure professional growth and self-realisation, take care of physical and emotional health, etc., therefore we offer employees working at the Kauno kolegija HEI:

• • A working environment in which the values of our organisation are important: responsibility, professionalism, openness, respect and community.
  • Opportunities for professional and personal development: internal competency development events and training; the opportunity to learn foreign languages; covering the costs of participating in external training events; free days for self-education.
  • International opportunities: participation in international internships and trainings under international exchange programmes.
  • Personal well-being and wellness: an environment that supports equal opportunities and diversity; free psychological consultations; free sports classes at the Kauno kolegija HEI sports centre and health training; the opportunity to use the prayer and silence room in the work environment; additional free days to improve health (for trade union members), events to strengthen emotional well-being; a playroom for employees’ children.
  • A package of financial benefits: support for anniversaries, weddings, bereavement, critical illness, etc.
  • Opportunities to participate in the cultural life of the community: exhibitions, community outings, Christmas events, leisure activities, etc.