A doctoral researcher position begins on 1 January 2027 or by agreement during the year 2027. It is also possible to apply for a continuation of the current doctoral researcher employment contract.

When determining the length of the employment, previously awarded funding for doctoral studies as well as the planned schedule and stage of the doctoral degree will be taken into account. The duration of a UTUGS‑funded fixed‑term doctoral researcher position is at most four years, but not beyond 31 December 2030. The basis for the fixed-term employment is doctoral researcher's work related to their doctoral studies. In the OPPI Doctoral Programmes it is also possible to apply for a doctoral researcher position to carry out a specific component (subproject) of the dissertation.

A person who already holds a doctoral degree cannot be selected to a doctoral researcher position. The doctoral researcher position requires working in Finland and the place of work is Turku (or Rauma).The University of Turku offers flexible possibilities for remote work.

Job description

The position is intended for full‑time doctoral research and doctoral studies. Participation in teaching and other duties should be arranged so that the dissertation can be completed within the planned timetable. The employment contract is based on a total annual working time of 1,612 hours, which gives the doctoral researcher flexibility to arrange working hours. As a rule, teaching and other duties may account for up to 5% of the annual working time (approximately up to 80 hours per academic year).

Who we are looking for

Requirements

You must hold an active study right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Turku in the Faculty of Education, OPPI Doctoral Programme. In addition, when acquiring the degree or otherwise, you are required to have demonstrated the ability to undertake postgraduate studies and the capacity to complete a doctoral degree in accordance with the research plan. (University of Turku Rules of Procedure 13.12.2024).
or if you have not yet been granted right to pursue a doctoral degree, you must apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree in the OPPI Doctoral Programme in this call via the Studyinfo (Opintopolku) service. The right to pursue a doctoral degree is a prerequisite for being selected for a position of a doctoral researcher;
You are planning to pursue or pursuing your first doctoral degree;
You have not previously received four years of full‑time funding for doctoral studies.
The doctoral researcher position requires working in Finland and the place of work is Turku.

Evaluation of the applications for the position of doctoral researcher

In addition to the eligibility requirements for doctoral researchers as set out in the University of Turku Rules of Procedure (13.12.2024), the following are taken into account in the selection of doctoral researchers with an employment contract:

The quality and feasibility of the research plan within the target timetable (see the quality assessment aspects on the assessing applications for the right to pursue a doctoral degree above);
The motivation of the applicant to carry out the planned research;
The applicant's qualifications, which may include (depending on the applicant) the grade of the Master's degree or equivalent, the doctoral studies completed, work experience, ability to carry out the planned research successfully, scientific publications and international activities;
Research environment, which will be assessed taking into account the commitment of the supervisor and the suitability of the doctoral research theme for the profile of the OPPI Doctoral Programme.

The evaluation of the applications for the position of doctoral researcher will be carried out as an overall assessment, taking into account the stage of the research career – e.g. completed doctoral studies or scientific publications are not required for applicants at an early stage of their research career. For applicants who have previously been granted the right to pursue a doctoral degree, progress in doctoral research and doctoral studies will also be assessed; prior funding received for the completion of the doctoral degree may be taken into account when determining the duration of a doctoral researcher position.

In the OPPI Doctoral Programme, applicants for a doctoral researcher position with an employment contract is required to have an article-based dissertation (not a monograph).

Applications are evaluated by the steering committee of the doctoral programme in accordance with the published selection criteria. The evaluation focuses primarily on the scientific quality and feasibility of the research plan, the applicant’s qualifications and potential for doctoral studies and the support provided by the research environment.

Applications for the right to pursue doctoral degree and for doctoral researcher positions with an employment contract are evaluated by experts. Research plans are assessed by members of the doctoral programme steering committee who hold a doctoral degree, and external experts may also be consulted in the evaluation process. Applications are reviewed in accordance with the principles of responsible research assessment. All individuals involved in the evaluation process take potential conflicts of interest into account, and supervisors do not participate in the evaluation of applications submitted by their own supervisees or in related decision-making.

Proposals concerning the granting of the right to pursue doctoral degree and the selection of doctoral researchers for employment positions are prepared by the steering committee of the doctoral programme on the basis of an overall assessment of the applications.

Benefits

We offer you responsible and interesting tasks and the opportunity to develop your professional skills in a versatile operating environment. You get a professional and inspiring team to support your work. We take care of your well-being at work and the functionality of your everyday life, e.g. with the help of flexible working hours and our well-being services.

Please read more about University of Turku as an employee from our Come work with us! pages.

The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research quality label. The label is a token of the University's commitment to continuous development of the position and working conditions of researchers according to the guidelines set forth in the European Charter for Researchers.

The university offers good support and orientation for international hires. Please learn more about the Finnish culture and relocation to Finland:

The University of Turku is among the top of the world’s universities in most rankings and among the best universities in the world in certain fields. Our high-quality basic research, a multidisciplinary research profile and close cooperation in research infrastructures creates the basis for international top research. Read more about University of Turku in international university rankings.

The University of Turku has several high-quality research infrastructures required for cutting-edge research. Learn more about the roadmap of research infrastructures and how the research infrastructure and expert teams offer tailored solutions for businesses and organizations.

Salary and trial period

Salary is based on the salary system of the University’s teaching and research staff. Salary will consist of a task-specific salary component and a personal performance salary component. The task-specific salary component of a doctoral researcher varies between levels 2 to 4, depending on the stage of the doctoral degree. In addition, a personal performance salary component is paid. The salary of a doctoral researcher ranges roughly from € 2,400 to € 3,300 depending on progress of the doctoral research and the experience and skills of the person concerned. The level of task-specific salary component of a new doctoral researcher is generally assessed as level 2. The probationary period is six months, however not more than half of the employment period.

How to apply

To apply for a doctoral researcher position with an employment contract, fill in the electronic application form (select "Apply for this position" in the upper right corner) and submit the required attachments. The recruitment form opens at the begin of the application period on 25 August 2026 and closes on 8 September 2026 at 23:59 (local time in Finland).

Selection to a doctoral researcher position requires an active right to pursue a doctoral degree in the OPPI Doctoral Programme; if you have not yet been granted study right, you must apply for one in the OPPI Doctoral Programme in Studyinfo system.

Attachments to the application

Fill in the electronic application form. The attachments listed below must be submitted as part of the Talentti system’s electronic application form unless otherwise instructed. Ensure that all attachments are high‑quality, easy‑to‑read, full-colour scans or photographs of the entire required document. Attachments should be submitted in PDF format. Attachments that do not meet these requirements may be rejected. Name each file so that the filename clearly shows both your name and the document type (for example: surname-firstname-CV).

All application documents should be either in Finnish or in English.

Curriculum Vitae

A list of publications is required to be included in the CV. We recommend that you prepare your CV based on the TENK researcher CV template: Link to the template for researcher’s Curriculum Vitae.

Research plan

When preparing the research plan, you must follow the principles of good scientific practice (link to TENK’s guidelines on good scientific practice). The research plan may be checked with the Turnitin OriginalityCheck plagiarism‑detection system. Any use of artificial intelligence (AI) as an aid in preparing the research plan must be clearly declared in the application.

The research plan must be up-to-date. Link to the research plan guidelines of doctoral programme on the faculty's website.

Motivation letter

A motivation letter is a one-page-long freeform document, in which you are expected to describe your motivation in pursuing doctoral studies and in conducting research.

A description of the implementation plan for the doctoral dissertation and progress of the doctoral research and studies (if you already have a right to study for a doctoral degree) (max 2 pages)

A description of the implementation plan for the doctoral dissertation, other sources of funding, and the timetable, including a plan for completing the degree. Applicants applying for a doctoral researcher position to carry out a specific component (subproject) of the dissertation must clearly specify the content of the proposed subproject and its implementation timetable.

If you already have a right to study for a doctoral degree in OPPI Doctoral Programme, please also describe the progress of your doctoral research and studies and present a realistic plan for the completion of your research and degree.

Degree certificate and transcript of study records

Attach to the electronic application form:

the scanned or electronic original certificate of the higher university degree (e.g. Master’s degree),
the scanned or electronic original transcript of study records of the higher university degree,
other study certificates relevant to the selection criteria (for example, studies completed outside the degree that relate to the doctoral degree you are applying for).

If the documents are not in Finnish, Swedish or English, you must also submit an official translation into one of those languages; an official translation is accepted if issued by the degree‑awarding university or produced by an authorised translator. A Diploma Supplement (DS) issued by a European higher education institution may be accepted instead of an English translation of the degree certificate and transcript, provided it contains the details of the study records.

Further information

Link to the website of OPPI (www.utu.fi/oppi)

Link to the faculty web pages

Link to the UTUGS web pages

Contact information for the Doctoral Programme Coordinator Sanna Niukko, [email protected].

Contact information for the Director of OPPI Doctoral Programme: professor Sara Routarinne, [email protected]

Contact information of the Faculty: Chief Academic Officer Anne Niemimäki, [email protected]

Doctoral Programme on Learning, Teaching and Learning Environments Research (OPPI)

The University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS) consists of doctoral programmes covering all disciplines and over 2,500 doctoral researchers of the University.

The aim of the Graduate School is to provide systematic and high quality doctoral training for the doctoral researchers of the University of Turku. Each doctoral researcher has a personal supervisor and the progress of the doctoral dissertation is followed regularly. The aim of doctoral training is to train highly qualified experts with the skills required for both professional career in research and other positions of expertise.

The Doctoral Programme on Learning, Teaching and Learning Environments Research (OPPI) trains internationally oriented, professional researchers and experts in learning, teaching and learning environments, who promote scientific evidence-based development in different fields of education.

The University of Turku is an inspiring and international academic community of 25,000 students and staff in Southwest Finland. We build a sustainable future with multidisciplinary research, education, and collaboration. With us, your work will have a significant impact and relevance in the changing world.

See our open vacancies

HR Excellence in Research Logo

Phone: +358 29 450 5000

Email: [email protected]

Location: 20014 Turun yliopisto

Information for the applicant

The application form cannot be saved as a draft. However, after submitting you can return to edit your application via the link you receive by email. The application can be edited until the application deadline.

You have 6 hours to complete your application before the timeout.

Instructions for submitting a job application

Arbeidsoppgaver

Tittel

Doctoral Researcher positions, Doctoral Programme on Learning, Teaching and Learning Environments Research (OPPI)

Arbeidsgiver

University of Turku

Plassering

20014 Turun yliopisto Åbo, Finland

Publiseringsdato

2026-08-25

Søknadsfrist

2026-09-08 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)
2026-09-08 22:59 (CET)

Jobbtype

Stipendiat

Område

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