The Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research calls for applications for a fixed-term Doctoral researcher position under an employment contract with the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS). The call period is 28 August – 8 September 2026.
The Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research (DPCR) promotes high quality clinical research and supports doctoral training in clinical medicine and other closely related research areas focusing on the etiology, diagnostics and treatment of diseases including the translational medicine and studies on health service systems. A basic degree in medical science is not compulsory. Other degrees are acceptable too, if the research topic of the applicant relates to questions or methods relevant in clinical medicine. The doctoral researchers of DPCR pursue a doctoral degree in either the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Technology or Turku School of Economics. Turku Brain and Mind is a subprogramme of DPCR. Parallel doctoral and clinical specialist training is supported by the doctoral programme.
Job description
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 Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research it is also possible to apply for a doctoral researcher position to carry out a specific component (subproject) of the dissertation. A subproject refers to a clearly defined and delimited research task that can be carried out during the term of employment and results in a concrete outcome (such as data collection, an article, a chapter, or an analysis). When applying for a salaried position to implement such a subproject, its content and implementation must be described in the application form. All applicants must describe in the application form a plan for completing the degree. In addition, up to one‑year positions for 2027 are available for applicants in the final stages of their doctoral research. The aim is to submit the dissertation for pre‑examination during 2027.
A person who already holds a doctoral degree cannot be selected to a doctoral researcher position, nor a person who already has a study right in another doctoral programme at the University of Turku and who in this application round is applying to transfer to the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research. 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 a justified reason, flexible working arrangements may be considered and agreed upon in the position, which will make it possible to do dissertation work as well as related research and practical work. These arrangements may include, for example, clinical work that requires hospital-based duties and supports doctoral work in parallel with research work, or other research work. The justification must be 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).
Who we are looking for
- You must hold an active study right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Turku in the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research. 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 Doctoral Programme in Clinical research in this call via the Studyinfo (Opintopolku) service (see the instructions under “How to apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree”). 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, and you are not in this application round, applying to transfer from another doctoral programme at the University of Turku to the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research;
- 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.
An applicant, who does not yet have the right to study a doctoral degree at the Doctoral Programme in Clinincal Research, at the University of Turku, must apply for it in the Studyinfo.fi system in this same application round.
We value collegiality and promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We encourage all qualified applicants with different backgrounds to apply for our open positions.
Benefits
We offer you responsible and interesting tasks and the opportunity to develop your skills in a dynamic and international environment. You will be supported by a professional and inspiring team and a group of experienced supervisors. In your work, you will become part of a wide network of doctoral researchers, researchers, and supervisors within the doctoral programme and UTUGS. We care about your well-being and the functionality of your everyday life through flexible working hours and our well-being services.
- Possibilities to develop your expertise – We encourage our personnel to develop their professional expertise by offering versatile training and competence development possibilities which employees can take advantage of during their working hours. Also, the course offering of Open University is free of charge for our personnel.
- Your well-being is important to us! – In addition to comprehensive occupational health care, our own well-being services monitor, support and develop the well-being of our personnel. You are entitled to use the CampusSport’s services at a personnel price.
- We support your work-life balance – Flexible working hours and extensive remote work options help you balance work and leisure time.
- An inspiring and supportive work community – We encourage each other and value working together!
Please read more about University of Turku as an employer 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 salarycomponent. 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
Submit your application through our electronic recruitment TalentAdore system by 8 September 2026 at 23:59(Europe/Helsinki). The applicant must deliver all required documents by the end of the application period. Any late submissions will not be processed and application documents will not be returned.
In addition, please note that, if necessary, the right to study for a doctoral degree can be applied for by filling in a separate electronic application form in Studyinfo and submitting the required attachments. The autumn application period opens on 25 August 2026 and closes on 8 September 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki).
The application documents in PDF format must be prepared in English or Finnish.
In addition to the attachments listed below, the applicant must prepare the following information on the application form:
- A summary of the research plan (max 1000 characters)
- An implementation plan (maximum 4000 characters)
- This is a realistic 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.
And answer the questions in the application form.
Applicants must enclose with their application (Note! not all of the required attachments are marked as obligatory on the form but the applicant must attach them to the application):
1. CV of the applicant including the list of publications (e.g., Template for researcher's curriculum vitae)
2. Research plan
When applying for the Turku School of Economics, the research plan should be maximum of 10 pages, for more instructions see Applying to Doctoral Studies at Turku School of Economics | University of Turku (utu.fi)
The research plan should follow the guidelines for the responsible conduct of research (see Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) | Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK). The research plans can be checked with the Turnitin OriginalityCheck plagiarism detection software. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in the preparation of the research plan should be clearly indicated in the research plan.
The research plan must be up to date.
3. Motivation letter (The attachment is mandatory for DPCR applicants even though it is not marked as such on the form!)
Please describe your motivation for completing a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research and how you think the doctoral degree will affect your career. The motivation letter is a one page long freeform document.
If the applicant has a right to study for a doctoral degree at another university or in another doctoral programme at the University of Turku, the applicant must provide reasons for changing over to DPCR.
If you are applying to the Turku School of Economics, please also follow the instructions of the School:
- A one-page letter of motivation. In the letter, the applicants must state reasons why they are applying specifically to the University of Turku and to the chosen major subject. The applicants must also express the novelty value the intended research would bring to the scientific field. The letter must also include the applicant’s reflections on their professional aspirations.
4. 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 ertificate and transcript, provided it contains the details of the study records.
The applicant must deliver all required documents by the end of the application period. Any late submissions will not be processed.
Selection criteria and evaluation of applications
Applicants selected for UTUGS fixed‑term doctoral researcher positions must meet the eligibility requirements defined in the University of Turku Rules of Procedure (13.12.2024).
In the selection process, the following factors are emphasized: quality and feasibility of the research plan, completed postgraduate studies, applicant’s research merits (scientific publications and other granted personal funding) as well as applicant’s capability and motivation to complete a doctoral degree (if you wish, you can mention the JUFO classification and impact factor of your publications in your application). Any other funding received by the applicant for doctoral studies and the phase of the thesis are taken into consideration when determining the duration of the Doctoral researcher position.
Those who applied for a fixed-term doctoral researcher position may be interviewed. Applicants will be notified separately for interviews.
DPCR is multidisciplinary doctoral programme and aims to further all relevant research fields, which may be taken into account when filling the Doctoral researcher positions.
Decision on selections
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
For further information about the position, please contact:
Doctoral Programme Coordinator: Mikko Tähtö-Pakkanen, [email protected]
Admission page of the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research
