Doctoral Researcher Position in the ImmuDocs – National Doctoral Education Pilot Based on the Immune System

The ImmuDocs Doctoral Education Pilot, the University of Turku, is inviting applications for a fixed-term Doctoral Researcher position at the Faculty of Medicine starting by mutual agreement but latest 1 December 2025 and ending 31 December 2027.

The positions are related to the ImmuDocs Doctoral Training Education Pilot project, funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture, started 1 August 2024. ImmuDocs aims to educate a new generation of experts in immunology, immunology-based drug development, and/or diagnostics. The project is coordinated by the University of Turku, with the University of Helsinki, Åbo Akademi University, Tampere University, University of Eastern Finland, and University of Oulu as partner universities. In total, 81 Doctoral Researchers are employed within the ImmuDocs doctoral training pilot project. Doctoral Researcher Position research themes are linked to the InFLAMES Flagship funded by the Research Council of Finland.

The ImmuDoc pilot aims to ensure that, upon completion of the studies, Doctoral Researchers:

  • Have acquired extensive knowledge of modern and applied immunology, developed skills to critically interpret research data, and master key immunological methods.
  • Thoroughly understand the impact of immunology on the economy and society.
  • Have a clear understanding of the entire lifecycle of immunology-based diagnostics and drug discovery, including all essential steps from initial invention to clinical application.
  • Communicate their research to the scientific community and the public.
  • Know which career paths are available for immunologists after obtaining a doctoral degree.

Job description

The doctoral project open in this call for applications is as follows:

Foundational AI models for 3D analysis and modeling of immune component in tissue, Principal Supervisor: Pekka Ruusuvuori

Detailed description of the doctoral project, supervisors, and the research group can be found on the ImmuDocs National Doctoral Education Pilot website ImmuDocs funded projects

The Doctoral Researcher’s tasks include conducting their own doctoral research and completing doctoral courses. Doctoral Researchers are committed to conduct research and doctoral postgraduate studies according to the rules of the ImmuDocs Doctoral Education Pilot and the specific Doctoral Programme.

The position starts by mutual agreement, latest 1 December 2025 and ends 31 December 2027. The eligibility requirements for a doctoral researcher are specified in the University of Turku’s regulations. The right to study for a doctoral degree at the University of Turku is a prerequisite for starting the employment position. The applicant's degree should be relevant to the dissertation project.

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Who we are looking for

If the applicant does not already have the right to study for a doctoral degree at the University of Turku, the applicant must apply for it during the application period in 29 August - 12 September 2025 via the Studyinfo.fi service.

The position can start earliest when the chosen candidate has been granted a right to study for a doctoral degree at the University of Turku and the candidate has accepted the right to study. The chosen candidate must fulfill the eligibility requirements for the right to study in other words for pursuing a doctoral degree, by the end of the study right application period 12.9.2025.

The position cannot be filled by an individual who has already completed a doctoral degree or has been granted the right to study for a doctoral degree before 1 November 2023.

The Doctoral Researcher position requires residence in Finland.

Our workplace values equality and diversity; therefore, we encourage qualified applicants from all 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 ImmuDocs Consortium and the InFLAMES Research Flagship. We care about your well-being and the functionality of your everyday life through flexible working hours and our well-being services.

Read more about us on the website Come Work with Us!, where you can find additional information about what the university offers its employees.

The European Commission has granted the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research logo as a sign of the university’s commitment to continuously improving the status and working conditions of researchers in line with the goals of the European Charter for Researchers.

The university offers excellent support and orientation for international hires. Please learn more about Finnish culture and relocation to Finland:

Salary and trial period

Salary is determined in accordance with the University salary system for teaching and research personnel. It consists of a task-specific salary component and a personal performance salary component. The task-specific salary component of a Doctoral Researcher is at levels 2–4, depending on the progress of the doctoral project. The personal performance component, which is added to the task-specific base salary, is also paid. For a doctoral researcher, the salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and will be approximately 2400–3300 €/month, depending on the progress of the doctoral project.

The position has a probationary period of 6 months.

The position is intended for full-time doctoral dissertation research and postgraduate studies. The employment contract is based on a total working time of 1612 hours per year, which gives the Doctoral Researcher freedom to plan their working hours.

 

How to apply

Please submit your application through our electronic recruitment system by 10 June 2025 at 16:00 p.m./4:00 p.m. (Europe/Helsinki). The application link can be found on the university’s website at the beginning of the advertisement ("Apply for this job").

The application form cannot be saved as a draft. However, after submitting, you can return to edit your application via the link you receive by email. The application can be edited until the application deadline. You have 6 hours to complete your application before the timeout.

Please write your application and accompanying documents in English and send all attachments in the form of a PDF file.

Applicants should enclose with their application:

  1. A motivation letter (max. one page) is a free-form document in which an applicant describes their motivation for pursuing ImmuDocs doctoral studies and conducting research, as well as their research interests. 
  2. Curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages).
  3. List of publications. Link to the list of publications template (if relevant; please do not attach full copies of publications).
  4. Degree certificates. A transcript of master’s/bachelor’s studies and the degree certificate of your latest degree (in the language that the degree was completed in). If the original degree certificates or transcripts of study records are not written in English, Finnish, or Swedish, official translations to one of these languages must also be submitted. 
  5. Any other documents relevant to fulfilling the requirements of the position. Please read carefully sections: Prerequisites for admission and Proof of language skills; see How to Apply for Doctoral Training (see before applying -section:)
  6. NB! Research plan is NOT required. It is asked for system technical reasons. Please attach any document (i.e. an empty pdf) there in order to be able to continue with the application. Do the same with the question Abstract of research plan, it is NOT required so please write anything there (i.e. one word) in order to be able to continue with the application.

Candidates selected for interviews based on their applications will be interviewed in week 24-25. Decision regarding doctoral researcher will be made at the week 25-26, 2025. The selected applicant will be informed of the decisions without delay.

Further information

For further information regarding the ImmuDocs Doctoral Researcher positions, please contact Academician Sirpa Jalkanen (sirjal@utu.fi).

For further information about the doctoral project, please contact the Principal Supervisor of the project Associate professor Pekka Ruusuvuori (pekka.ruusuvuori@utu.fi).

For information related to the application process, please contact ImmuDocs coordinator Marja Peura (mahepeu@utu.fi)

For information related to the right too study for a doctoral degree in the Faculty of Medicine, please contact Chief Academic Officer Anni Halonen (anni.halonen@utu.fi).

ImmuDocs – National Doctoral Education Pilot Based on the Immune System

ImmuDocs – National Doctoral Education Pilot Based on the Immune System

ImmuDocs Doctoral Education Pilot focuses on immunology including all types of inflammatory diseases. They all are driven by aberrant immune responses, and immunological interventions are at the heart of their prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Healthcare urgently needs specialists who understand these immunological areas.

Diseases stemming from immune system malfunction impose substantial economic and societal burdens. They lead to high healthcare costs, loss of productivity, and a significant impact on quality of life. Addressing the escalating demand for immunology specialists necessitates a concerted effort in training and collaboration among researchers, industry, and healthcare professionals. There is a pressing need to cultivate a new generation of immunology experts with diverse skills, ranging from health economics to cell and structural biology, bioinformatics, and clinical practice. Simultaneously, researcher training will boost scientific innovations, thereby driving disease prevention, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment through the versatile tools offered by immunology.

The University of Turku is an inspiring and international academic community of 25,000 students and staff in Southwest Finland. We build a sustainable future with multidisciplinary research, education, and collaboration. With us, your work will have a significant impact and relevance in the changing world.

See our open vacancies

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The application form cannot be saved as a draft. However, after submitting you can return to edit your application via the link you receive by email. The application can be edited until the application deadline.

You have 6 hours to complete your application before the timeout.

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Doctoral Researcher Position in the ImmuDocs – National Doctoral Education Pilot Based on the Immune System

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