Turku School of Economics at the University of Turku invites applications for fixed‑term doctoral researcher position funded by the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS) starting from 1 January 2027 or by agreement during the year 2027. The duration of a UTUGS‑funded fixed‑term doctoral researcher position is at most four years, but not beyond 31 December 2030.
The Doctoral Programme of Turku School of Economics (DPTSE) is a part of the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS). The programme aims at training experts for the needs of business, society, and the academic community. It offers scientific researcher training to solve relevant, current and anticipated problems related to business, economy, and society. The programme is responsible for doctoral training in the fields of Business Administration, Economics, and Futures Studies at the University of Turku. Turku School of Economics operates on two campuses, Turku (main campus) and Pori.
Job description
A doctoral researcher position begins on 1 January 2027 or by agreement during the year 2027. These fully-funded positions are intended for the best-of-the-class doctoral researchers to focus full-time on doctoral studies and research toward their doctoral dissertation. 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. Basis for the fixed-term employment is doctoral researcher's work related to their studies. The right to pursue a doctoral degree at Turku School of Economics is a precondition for receiving a fixed-term Doctoral Researcher position. A person who already holds a doctoral degree cannot be selected to a doctoral researcher position. 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). Additionally, at TSE another 5 % of the annual working time (maximum) can be used for administrative duties (committee memberships, organizing research seminars/department meetings etc.). A doctoral researcher position requires living in Finland for the duration of the employment contract.
Who we are looking for
Doctoral Researcher positions can be applied for by…
- Persons who have an active right to study for a doctoral degree at Turku School of Economics.
- Persons who have not yet been granted the right to study for a doctoral degree at Turku School of Economics, but who are at the same time applying for the right to study for a doctoral degree (Finnish Universities Act 558/2009, Section 37). As the right to study for a doctoral degree is a precondition for receiving a Doctoral Researcher position funded by the university, the applicant must apply for both the right to study for a doctoral degree as well as a Doctoral Researcher position in this application round. The degree that gives eligibility for applying for the right to study for a doctoral degree must be granted by the end of the application period, 8 September 2026.
Persons who already have a doctoral degree or who have used funding for completing a doctoral degree equivalent to the amount of four years of full-time research cannot be selected for a Doctoral Researcher position.
According to Section 39 of the University of Turku Rules of Procedure, a person selected for the position of a Doctoral Researcher is required to have a higher university degree and must have an accepted research plan. In addition, when acquiring their degree or otherwise, they are required to have demonstrated the ability and motivation to undertake postgraduate studies and the capacity to complete a doctoral degree in accordance with the research plan.
Desirable qualifications
After a screening based on the eligibility and selection criteria related to the right to study for a doctoral degree, the major subjects assess the applications. They may also interview the applicants. Based on the assessment, the best applications are evaluated by a board consisting of national and international experts from TSE and other universities. Before this, the research plans will be checked with the Turnitin OriginalityCheck plagiarism detection software in accordance with the University of Turku quality assurance system.
The evaluation and selection criteria are as follows:
- The right to study for a doctoral degree at Turku School of Economics, or meeting the eligibility and selection criteria at issue
- The quality of the research plan
- Academic performance and scientific merits
- The progress of studies and research to this date as other complementary criteria
The final selection will be based on a comprehensive evaluation of applications (not on a single criterion) since the applicants can be at very different stages of their doctoral dissertation process. Any other funding used by the applicant for doctoral studies is taken into consideration when determining the duration of the Doctoral Researcher position. Previously received UTUGS position may be considered as a positive factor in the overall evaluation.
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 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. The Doctoral Researchers work at the departments and other units at TSE.
How to apply
Note: To apply, you must already have the right to study for a doctoral degree at the Doctoral Programme of TSE. If you don’t, apply for it simultaneously. Links to the application forms will be published on the University of Turku Graduate School web page. You will need to attach the required additional documents to your application form (in pdf form). Application documents are specified at the end of the call for applications found from the webpages of the Doctoral Programme (https://www.utu.fi/en/research/utugs/doctoral-programme-of-turku-school-of-economics/admission-criteria-and-Instructions-for-applicants). During the selection process, applicants may be asked to provide additional information. Applicants will be notified separately if they are invited to an additional interview. The application documents will not be returned to the applicant.
The Head of each Department at the Turku School of Economics will decide on the recruitment of the applicants for the position of Doctoral Researcher based on the proposal of the Steering Committee of the Doctoral Programme of TSE by the end of November 2026. All applicants will be personally informed about the decisions. The names of the applicants who have been selected for the position of Doctoral Researcher will be announced on the website of the doctoral programme by the end of November 2026.
Further information
For further information, please contact the Doctoral education specialist Jenni Gray, tel. +358 29 450 3890, tsedoctoralprogramme (at) utu.fi.
