The candidate received his Master of Science degree in Natural and Environmental Sciences from the University of Kuopio, Finland in 1995, and his Executive Master of Business Administration from the Martti Ahtisaari Institute, University of Oulu, Finland in 2002. He received his Doctor of Industrial Engineering and Management from the University of Oulu, Finland in 2010. He was elected Associate Professor in the field of Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, in 2016 and in the field of Sustainable Circular Economy Management at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, University of Eastern Finland in 2025. Since 2021, he has been Research Director at the Faculty of Technology, Industrial Engineering and Management and Programme Director at the University of Oulu. In the period 2016-2020, he served as Ecosystem Director at the University of Oulu. In the period 2012-2017, he served as Director of the Centre for Environment and Energy at the same faculty. Before that, he was Research and Development Manager (2009-2011), EHSQ Manager (2003-2008), Environmental Manager (1999-2002) and Quality and Environmental Engineer (1996-1998) at Ruukki Industrial Institute. He participated in 10 research projects (EU Horizon, ERDF, etc.). He has published over 70 papers in scientific journals and conferences and two scientific books.
Since 2018, he has been a Board member of the Finnish graduate school and Chairman of the Doctoral Follow-Up Groups, Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu. He was a member of the Martti Ahtisaari Institute MBA Committee (2010-2014), SFS Environmental Management Committee (2007-2013), SFS Quality Management Committee (2005-2013), Eurofer Environmental Committee (2002-2011), IISI Occupational Health and Safety Committee (2003-2009), Board member of Ruukki Industrial Institute (2005-2008), Environmental Section of Oulu Chamber of Commerce (since 2003) and others. He is the recipient of several awards and honors: Jallu’s Respect Award, Issued by Ajax-Sarkkiranta ry 2017, Recognition Award, Issued by Ice Hockey Association 2017, Crisis management veteran, issued by Minister of Defense 2016, etc. He is a member of scientific and professional associations: Board member of North Ostrobothnia Forest Council (2019-2022), Board member of Oulu Innovation Alliance Extended Operational Management (since 2021), Vice-Chairman of Planning and Productization Research community (since 2019), Board member of advisor board of Oulu Water Alliance (2013-2019), Board member of Kajaani University Consortium (since 2018), Finnish Risk Analysis Association (since 2007), Environmental Committee of Oulu Chamber of Commerce (since 2003), Mining Industry Association (since 1999), etc.
He is a full member of the IRASA Academy since 2025 for the Social and Humanities Sciences.