At the Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Turku, a fixed-term position as a Project Researcher/Doctoral Researcher is open for applications for the period January 1, 2027–August 31, 2030. The employment will begin on January 1, 2027, or as agreed. The application period opens on September 18, 2026 and closes on October 16, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. (Europe/Helsinki).
The recruited researcher will participate in a project funded by Research Council of Finland and led by Professor Minna Lehtonen. The project investigates the relationship between bilingual language use, language switching in particular, and executive functions. A central aim of the project is to determine whether the role of executive functions changes as language proficiency develops and how such learning modifies brain structure and function. The research is also related to the question of whether bilingualism or second language learning can be expected to show cognitive or brain-health benefits beyond language proficiency itself. The project involves international collaboration with, e.g., the University of Barcelona. The doctoral researcher will be supervised by Professor Minna Lehtonen and Postdoctoral Researcher Sini Hämäläinen.
Job description
The Project Researcher/Doctoral Researcher will investigate automatization of foreign-language use using behavioural methods and the functional and structural brain changes associated with these processes using TMS and MRI/DTI methods. The selected candidate will gain diverse methodological experience through the project and have the opportunity to become familiar with research in psycholinguistics, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience. The appointed researcher will participate in the design and implementation of studies, data collection and analysis, and the scientific reporting and publication of research findings as part of their doctoral dissertation work.
Who we are looking for
Requirements
The position of Project Researcher/Doctoral Researcher is intended for an early‑career researcher who has not yet completed a doctoral degree. The eligibility requirements for the positions of Project Researcher and Doctoral Researcher are laid down in the University-of-turku-rules-of-procedure.pdf.
Applicants must hold a relevant Master’s degree, for example in psychology, speech‑language pathology, or cognitive neuroscience. The eligibility requirements for the position must be fulfulled by the end of the application period for the position.
For the position of Doctoral Researcher, applicants must have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Turku and a research plan for a doctoral dissertation that aligns with the project’s topic. If the selected applicant does not have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Turku by the end of the application period, the position will initially be filled under the title Project Researcher. The selected person will then be expected to apply for the right to pursue doctoral studies in the next possible application round. For additional information, please see University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS) and Doctoral Programmes.
In exceptional cases, we may also consider applicants who have completed nearly all the studies required for a Master's degree in a relevant field. In such cases, the job title at the start of the employment will be Research Assistant.
In addition, the successful candidate is expected to have:
- Experience in research on language processing, cognitive neuroscience, or bilingualism, or a strong interest in these areas
- Experience with statistical analysis methods and processing of research data
- Knowledge of TMS and MRI/DTI research methods, or willingness to acquire such expertise
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research team
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Excellent written and spoken English skills
The following will be considered an advantage:
- Programming and data analysis skills (e.g. R, Python, or equivalent tools)
- Good written and spoken Finnish skills
The primary place of work is Turku, and the selected candidates must reside in Finland for the duration of the employment.
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 work tasks, as well as the opportunity to develop your professional skills in a diverse working environment. You will be supported by a skilled and inspiring team. We take care of your well‑being at work and the smoothness of your everyday life through, for example, flexible working hours and our well‑being services.
Read more about us on our Welcome to work with us - page, where you can find additional information about what the University offers its employees.
The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research logo. The logo 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.
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Salary and trial period
The salary is determined by the collective agreement system of Finnish universities. The position belongs to the category of teaching and research personnel. The pre-estimated salary will be in average (OV02-OV04) 2 565-3 460 eur/month. The exact salary will depend on the person’s competence and research experience and will be specified when the employment contract is prepared. Should the successful candidate initially start in the position of Research Assistant, the starting salary (OV1) is on average 2460 euros/month, depending on competence and experience.
The position has a trial period of six (6) months.
How to apply
Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. Applications must be submitted by October 16, 2026 at 16.00 p.m. (Europe / Helsinki time zone).
Applicants must attach the following documents to their application:
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- List of publications, if you have publications
- Motivation letter. Please specify research interests and experiences; one page is sufficient.
- Possible other documents that may affect the decision-making
Please, attach all the above-mentioned documents to your application. The documents are essential in assessing the applications. The appendices should follow the guidelines of the faculty.
Candidates selected for interview will be notified in week 43 and the interviews will be held in week 45.
Further information
For further information about the position, please contact Professor Minna Lehtonen, mihleh@utu.fi.
For more information about the recruitment process, please contact HR specialist Nina Kramsu, tel. +358 29 450 4981, nikram@utu.fi.
