Applications are invited for a fixed-term doctoral researcher positions in the Turku Doctoral Programme in Molecular Medicine (TuDMM), funded by the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS). Applications must be submitted by 8 September 2026.
The Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine (TuDMM) is a doctoral programme established in 2012 within the Faculty of Medicine. It offers comprehensive and high-quality training across various fields of molecular medicine. The traditionally strong fields of bio- and clinical medicine at the Turku campus such as cancer research, endocrinology and metabolism, immunology, microbiology, and connective tissue research are widely represented in the programme’s research groups. TuDMM works in close collaboration with other local doctoral programmes in the biosciences and actively participates in national doctoral training networks in the field.
The goal of the doctoral programme is to ensure that doctoral researchers upon completion of their studies:
- Have acquired extensive knowledge of modern and applied molecular medicine, developed skills to critically interpret research data, and master key research methods relevant to their research.
- Thoroughly understand the impact of molecular/biomedicine on the economy and society.
- Have a clear understanding of both, the basic research and translational research typical of the different research fields of molecular medicine, in elucidating the underlying mechanisms of diseases and identifying treatment targets, as well as the utilization of the obtained information in clinical research, from the initial invention to clinical application.
- Communicate their research to the scientific community and the public.
- Know which career paths are available after obtaining a doctoral degree.
Job description
A doctoral researcher position begins on 1 January 2027 or, by agreement, during the year 2027. Current doctoral researchers may also apply for continued funding for their employment contract through this call.
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 TuDMM, it is also possible to apply for a doctoral researcher position to carry out a defined subproject of a doctoral dissertation. A subproject refers to a clearly defined and delimited part of the doctoral research that can be completed during the employment period and results in a concrete outcome (e.g. a scientific article or an analysis). When applying for a fixed-term salaried position to carry out a subproject, the content and implementation of the subproject must be described in the “Doctoral Dissertation Implementation and Completion Plan” attachment, in accordance with the instructions provided (see Attachments, section C).
In addition, fixed-term positions of up to one year for 2027 are available for doctoral researchers in the final phase of their studies, whose aim is to submit their dissertation for pre-examination during 2027.
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.
The position is intended for full‑time doctoral research and doctoral studies. For justified reasons, flexible working arrangements may be considered and agreed upon to support the progress of the doctoral dissertation and related research and practical work. These arrangements may include, for example, clinically relevant work requiring hospital-based duties that support the doctoral research, carried out alongside research work, or other research-related duties. (Justification must be provided in the application form.)
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).
Apply between 25 August 2026 and 8 September 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki).
Who we are looking for
Requirements for applicants:
- You must hold an active study right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Turku, Faculty of Medicine, in the Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine. 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 alternatively, if you have not yet been granted the right to pursue a doctoral degree, you must apply for doctoral study rights in the Turku Doctoral Programme in Molecular Medicine through the Studyinfo (Opintopolku) service in the doctoral admissions process that is running concurrently with this call. 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.
- The applicant must submit the required application attachments and a feasible research plan prepared in collaboration with an experienced supervisor affiliated with the University of Turku.
The person we are looking for, who does not yet have the right to study a doctoral degree at the University of Turku, must apply for it in the Studyinfo.fi system (the application period starts on 25.8 and ends on 8.9.2026).
Our workplace values equality and diversity; therefore, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.
Benefits
We offer you an opportunity to develop as a researcher in an international and multidisciplinary research environment. You will be supported by an experienced supervisory team and become part of a vibrant community of doctoral researchers, researchers and supervisors within the doctoral programme and UTUGS.
The University of Turku supports your professional and academic development through high-quality doctoral training, versatile training opportunities and a broad research network. We also promote your well-being and work-life balance through flexible working arrangements and comprehensive well-being services.
Please read more about the University of Turku as an employer on our Come Work with Us! page.
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, but not longer than half of the duration of the employment contract.
How to apply
Please submit your application through the electronic Talentti recruitment system no later than 8 September 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki time).
Complete the electronic application form and submit all required attachments by the application deadline. Late applications will not be considered, and application documents will not be returned.
If you have not yet been granted the right to pursue a doctoral degree, you must apply for it separately through the Studyinfo (Opintopolku) service in the doctoral admissions process running concurrently with this call and submit the required attachments there.
Applicants must indicate on the application form which doctoral researcher position they are applying for by answering the question “What kind of monthly wage subsidy funding are you applying for?” under “Doctoral Programme Specific Questions” following the attachments section.
Attachments
Attachments A-E must be submitted as part of the electronic application form in the TalentAdore system. All attachments listed below are mandatory when applying for this fixed-term doctoral researcher position.
Please ensure that all attachments are high-quality, clear, and easily readable colour scans or photographs of the complete document. All attachments must be submitted in PDF format. Attachments that do not meet these requirements may be rejected.
Name the files so that both the applicant’s name and the document type are clearly indicated in the filename (e.g. lastname-firstname-cv).
A) Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum two pages)
The applicant’s CV, including any publication list (maximum two pages). Please use the mandatory CV template provided.
B) Research plan (maximum three pages, excluding references; Arial, font size 12).
The research plan is recommended to be written in English and should include the following sections: abstract, background and significance, aims and hypotheses, implementation plan, research environment, timetable, and funding plan.
When preparing the research plan you must follow the principles of good scientific practice (link to the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (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.
C) Doctoral dissertation implementation and completion plan (maximum 2 pages)
All applicants must include in their application a practical plan for completing the doctoral degree.
The plan should provide a realistic description of the implementation of the doctoral research, the timetable for the different stages of the work, and the required funding. It should also describe how the doctoral project will progress towards completion within the proposed schedule.
Applicants applying for a salaried doctoral researcher position to carry out a specific subproject must additionally describe the content, implementation, and timetable of the subproject. The description should demonstrate that the subproject is clearly defined, feasible within the period of employment, and leads to a concrete research outcome (e.g. a scientific article or analysis).
Note: This attachment should not describe the scientific or methodological implementation of the research, as these are covered in the research plan (Attachment B). The attachment should instead focus on the practical implementation, timetable, funding, and completion plan of the doctoral project.
(Place this attachment under “Other attachments” in the application form).
D) Motivation letter (maximum one page)
In the motivation letter, the applicant must explain why they are applying to pursue a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine. Describe your motivation for doctoral studies and research work. The motivation letter should be a free-form document of up to one page and must be submitted in PDF format.
E) 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.
Decisions and assessment of applications
All applicants will be informed about decisions and the names of the applicants selected for fixed-term doctoral researcher positions will be published on the website of the doctoral programme by 30 of November 2026 at the latest. Applicants selected for fixed‑term doctoral researcher positions funded by UTUGS must meet the eligibility requirements defined in the University of Turku Rules of Procedure (13.12.2024).
Applicant’s research topic must fit the profile of the doctoral programme. The doctoral programme’s steering group will evaluate applications after the deadline and may use external experts as necessary. Research plans submitted with applications may be checked with Turnitin OriginalityCheck for plagiarism in accordance with the University’s quality system; the use of artificial intelligence and how it was used in preparing the research plan may also be assessed.
In addition, selection is based on the applicant’s academic and research merits, potential, motivation, and ability to complete a doctoral degree. Particular emphasis is placed on the quality, feasibility, and scientific significance of the research plan, as well as the realism of the proposed timetable. The applicant’s career stage is also taken into account, together with the scientific competence and readiness to complete a doctoral degree demonstrated in the interview.
Applications are evaluated with regard to the applicant’s stage of the research career. For example, prior doctoral studies or scientific publications are not required from applicants at an early stage of their research career. For applicants who have already been granted the right to pursue a doctoral degree, the progress of doctoral research and studies is also assessed. Previous funding received by the applicant may be taken into account when determining the duration of the salaried doctoral researcher position.
The selection process takes place in stages, and applicants with the highest evaluation scores are invited to interview. The evaluation is carried out by both external and internal expert reviewers, with each application assessed by at least three reviewers, and the final score calculated as the average of the evaluations. Invitations to interviews are sent by email. The most successful applicants are selected for salaried positions based on the combined scores from the doctoral programme’s evaluation and the interview. The stage and progress of the applicant’s doctoral research, relative to the time available (in full-time work, approximately a four-year target period), are taken into account in the allocation and duration of salaried positions, with due consideration of the applicant’s career stage.
The decision on appointment to a doctoral researcher position is made by the head of the relevant department or unit on the basis of the doctoral programme steering group’s proposal. All applicants will be notified of the programme’s decision personally and the names of the persons offered positions will be published on the doctoral programme web pages; selected applicants must confirm acceptance of the position in accordance with the instructions in the decision.
Further information
Regarding the application process [email protected] or TuDMM coordinator Verna Louhivuori, [email protected]
