The Doctoral Programme on Drug Research and Diagnostics at the University of Turku invites applications for fixed‑term doctoral researcher positions funded by the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS). Applications must be submitted by 8 September 2026.
The doctoral researchers of Doctoral Programme on Drug Research and Diagnostics (DRD) carry out their doctoral studies at the Faculty of Medicine or at the Faculty of Science or at the Faculty of Technology. DRD trains professionals for drug development and research, as well as for the development of diagnostics used in healthcare. Doctors graduating from the programme pursue careers in pharmaceutical, diagnostics, and biotechnology companies, in regulatory authorities overseeing pharmaceuticals and chemicals, and in academic research and teaching.
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 on Drug Research and Diagnostics 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 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). Applicants who are applying for the position to complete a subproject within the doctoral dissertation must clearly specify the content, implementation, and schedule of that subproject. (see more information in the section How to apply)
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. 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. 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 Medicine, the Faculty of Science or the Faculty of Technology, Doctoral Programme on Drug Research and Diagnostics. 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 on Drug Research and Diagnostics 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. More information concerning the application for a right to study and the application criteria in the webpages of the doctoral programme.
• 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 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).
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 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.
- 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 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
Please submit your application through the electronic Talentti recruitment system no later than 8 September 2026 at 23:59 (local time in Finland).
Applicants must complete the electronic application form and submit all required attachments by the application deadline; late applications will not be processed.
Selection to a doctoral researcher position requires an active right to pursue a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme on Drug Research and Diagnostics; if you have not yet been granted study right, you must apply for one in the Doctoral Programme on Drug Research and Diagnostics in Studyinfo.
All pdf application documents are recommended to be written in English.
Applicants should enclose with their application:
- motivation letter (max 1 page)
- CV of the applicant (it is mandatory to use this attached CV model)
- research plan
The research plan must be up to date, approved by the supervisor, max 5 pages.
The plan should consist of: abstract, background, aims and hypotheses, significance, how will the plan be carried out in practice, research environment, timetable and funding 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. - doctoral dissertation implementation and completion plan (max. 2 pages)
All applicants must include in their application a 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 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). (Place this attachment under “Other attachments” in the application form). degree certificate and a 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.
Decision on selections and evaluation of applications
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. Applicants selected for UTUGS fixed‑term doctoral researcher positions must meet the eligibility requirements defined in the University of Turku Rules of Procedure (13 December 2024). In the selection of applicants for funded doctoral researcher positions, particular attention is paid to the quality and feasibility of the research plan, as well as the realism of the proposed timetable. In addition, the applicant’s academic and research merits, and their capability and motivation to complete a doctoral degree are taken into account. DRD is multidisciplinary, and aims to promote all research fields which may be taken into consideration when the positions are filled. 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.
Selection process is stepwise and applicants may be invited to interview after preliminary selection. The invitation will be sent by email. Interview will be evaluated together with the preliminary assessment of the application for final decision.
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 and the application process, please contact drd(at)utu.fi or DRD coordinator Marja Peura, mahepeu(at)utu.fi
