Three (3) Doctoral Researchers in Chemistry
The Department of Chemistry, in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science is currently seeking to recruit
THREE (3) DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS starting on November 1, 2026, or as agreed. In this call, we are looking for either new applicants who are interested in pursuing a PhD degree in the Department (option A) or applicants who have already successfully completed most of the requirements, but require financial support to complete their PhD.
- Option A: You are new and interested in starting your doctoral studies and are applying for a position for the entire duration of the doctoral program, a fixed term of 3.5 years.
- Option B: You are applying for a position to complete your PhD, for a fixed term (maximum 18 months). Eligible candidates must be a doctoral student under active supervision (see criteria below).
The Department of Chemistry at JYU is renowned for its excellence in science and chemical education. The main strengths of the Department are chemical nanoscience, functional molecules and materials, hydrogen research, and the chemistry of circular economy. The department is a member of the Nanoscience Center of University of Jyväskylä, which promotes interdisciplinary research projects in nanoscience. The department has world-class laboratory and instrumentation infrastructure, and large-scale computational resources.
The positions can be assigned to any active research group in the Department. Details are available on the website of the Department. You must contact your potential supervisor(s) in advance to agree on a research topic before you can apply in Option A. Without prior agreement on supervisor and topic, your application will not be considered. Please state the research group and the name of the potential supervisor clearly in your application, and provide a brief description of the research topic.
Qualifications we are looking for
The tasks of a Doctoral Researcher focus on research aiming at the completion of a doctoral thesis, doctoral studies, assisting teaching tasks, and other related tasks to these. The duties, qualification requirements, and the language skills of Doctoral Researchers are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines (Doctoral Students). A good command of English is required.
The eligible candidate has, or is about to obtain, a suitable Master's degree. In addition, the Doctoral Researcher must have a permission for post-graduate studies at the University of Jyväskylä. After selection, the selected person must apply for postgraduate study rights through a separate application procedure from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science.
In addition, to be eligible for Option B, the candidate must be under active doctoral supervision in the Department of Chemistry at the time of application, i.e. the candidate must meet the following criteria:
has registered as present for the current semester,
has prepared a supervision document together with their supervisor, which has either been confirmed by the supervisor or is awaiting confirmation,
is working on a doctoral thesis that is not yet in the review (pre-examination) stage,
is studying either full-time or part-time (at least 25%).
Process
In the initial stage, potential supervisors will review the submitted applications and conduct the initial interviews. Following this, the department’s deputy head for research and the selection committee will evaluate the applications. If necessary, the selection committee may also schedule a second interview for the top candidates.
The evaluation of applicants takes into account the previous performance and timely completion of the applicants’ studies, the submitted application documents, as well as the supervisor’s and selection committee’s assessment of the applicant’s motivation and suitability for the position. The relevance of the research topic to the department’s strategic priorities and focus areas will also be considered.
Benefits
Welcome to Jyväskylä, Finland, and join our vibrant and inspiring community!
At the University of Jyväskylä, you will be a valued member of our community with a unique opportunity to contribute to international research. You will become part of our international and multidisciplinary community that prioritizes the wellbeing of each individual. Our lively campus provides excellent opportunities for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.
Finland, named the world’s happiest country for consecutive years since 2018, offers a high standard of living with free education (also in English), affordable childcare, generous family benefits, and comprehensive healthcare. Work–life balance is highly valued in Finland, and employees enjoy four to six weeks of annual holiday. Jyväskylä is located in central Finland, just three hours by train from the capital Helsinki. Part of the Finnish Lakeland, the city offers easy access to nature and a range of outdoor, sports and exercise activities. As a major centre of education with a large student population, it also features a vibrant cultural scene. For more information about the University of Jyväskylä, the city of Jyväskylä, and living in Finland, see the University's International Staff Guide.
Salaries are based on job demands and employees’ performance following the Finnish University Salary System. The salary for a Doctoral Researcher is determined based on the task-specific demand level 2–4 for teaching and research staff. The starting salary will be approximately 2500 €/month (gross income). A holiday bonus is paid to all employees. With progress of thesis work, the salary will be revised in accordance with the Collective Agreement of Finnish Education Employers. A trial period of six months will be used in the beginning of the employment.
How to apply?
The application documents that should be included in English and in PDF format:
- A Curriculum vitae, composed according to good scientific practice and considering the template for researcher´s curriculum vitae by The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity.
- For Option A: A short and informal motivation/cover letter (max 2 pages), including your research interests, career goals and previous experience and your research merits that are relevant to the position. For Option B: A brief description of the current status of your PhD project, publications and manuscripts, and your postgraduate studies. In this document, provide information on your doctoral supervisors, the composition of the follow-up group, and the dates of the follow-up group meetings.
- Degree certificate, transcript of records and possible diploma supplement (highest degree).
We look forward to receiving your application in our recruitment system by May 10, 2026.
For further information, please contact deputy head for research, Professor Heikki Tuononen, heikki.m.tuononen@jyu.fi.
We offer good working conditions for researchers and promote the principles of HR Excellence in Research, HRS4R. The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is based on the values of the European Charter for Researchers & The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code). JYU is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions, and undertakes the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland. JYU has signed the DORA Declaration. By signing the agreement, JYU is committed to complying with the CoARA principles.
Our application process is transparent, professional and international. We communicate openly with the applicants throughout the recruitment process. All appointment decisions are based on careful consideration within the faculty. We value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage qualified applicants, regardless of background, to apply for this position.
