University of Turku’s Doctoral Programme in Exact Sciences (EXACTUS) is inviting applications for fixed-term doctoral researcher positions under an employment contract. In the Doctoral Programme in Exact Sciences (EXACTUS) the following academic disciplines are represented: applied mathematics, astronomy, chemistry, learning analytics, materials science, mathematics, physics, statistics and theoretical physics. The supervisors of the doctoral researchers are mainly from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Chemistry, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, the Finnish Centre for Astronomy with ESO, the Turku PET Centre or the Turku Research Institute for Learning Analytics. The website of the doctoral programme can be found at www.utu.fi/EXACTUS.
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 in Exact Sciences it is also possible to apply for a doctoral researcher position to carry out a specific component (subproject) of the dissertation.
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).
Requirements
- You must hold an active study right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Turku in the Faculty of Science, EXACTUS Doctoral Programme. 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 EXACTUS Doctoral Programme via the Studyinfo (Opintopolku) service at the latest 8 September 2026 by 23:59 (local time in Finland). Read how to apply the right to study for a doctoral degree on the EXACTUS doctoral programme webpage call for applications. The right to pursue a doctoral degree is a prerequisite for being selected for a position of a doctoral researcher. The degree, which grants the applicant the eligibility for the study right for a doctoral degree, must be completed within the application period, or after the application deadline on the condition that the applicant graduates and submits a scanned degree certificate and a transcript of study records to the University of Turku email sci-docstudies@utu.fi by 13 November 2026; Please note! You must fulfil the University of Turku language skill requirements. Link to language requirements in the web page of the university’s graduate school. You must meet the faculty and doctoral programme requirements for granting the right to pursue a doctoral degree.
- 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.
Benefits
Please read more about University of Turku as an employer from our Come work with us! pages.
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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 our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 8 September 2026 at 23:59 (local time in Finland).
Applicants must submit all required attachments by the application deadline; late applications will not be processed and the chosen doctoral programme cannot be changed nor can the application be amended after the deadline.
Ensure that all attachments are high‑quality, easy‑to‑read, full-colour scans or photographs of the entire required document. Attachments should be submitted in PDF format. Attachments that do not meet these requirements may be rejected. Name each file so that the filename clearly shows both your name and the document type (for example: surname-firstname-CV). All application documents are recommended to be written in English.
Applicants should enclose with their application:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) incl. publications list: Link to instructions by the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK) for writing a CV. You can also choose to do a free-form resume. Links to instructions about the list of publications format in English and in Finnish.
- Research 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.
- The research plan must be up to date. The maximum total length of the research plan is 3 pages (including references). The research plan should contain:
- Name of the applicant
- Planned title of the doctoral dissertation
- Description of research topic
- Scientific motivation and goals
- Methods and environment of the research
- Applicant’s own role in research
- Timetable of research, including publication plan
- Current state of doctoral thesis and postgraduate studies.
- If you are applying a doctoral researcher position to carry out a specific component (subproject) of the dissertation, add to the end of the research plan a “Description and timetable of the subproject” section. The research plan should contain a realistic description of the implementation plan for the doctoral dissertation, other sources of funding, and the timetable, including a plan for completing the degree. Applicants applying for a doctoral researcher position to carry out a specific component (subproject) of the dissertation must clearly specify the content of the proposed subproject and its implementation timetable (maximum 2 pages additional).
- Degree certificate and 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 degree that gives eligibility for the study right for a doctoral degree is not completed by the deadline of application time, a scanned or electronic up-to-date transcript of study records must be attached to the application.
- 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.
- Study transcipt of doctoral degree: If you already have a study right in the EXACTUS doctoral programme, you should upload an up-to-date study transcript for the doctoral degree from Peppi study system and attach it to the application.
- Motivation letter: The motivation letter is one page long freeform document, in which you justify your motivation for conducting research.
Selection to a doctoral researcher position requires an active right to pursue a doctoral degree in the EXACTUS Doctoral Programme; if you have not yet been granted study right, you must apply for one in Studyinfo (see EXACTUS doctoral programme webpages).
Selection criteria and evaluation of applicants
Applicant’s research topic must fit the profile of the doctoral programme. The doctoral programme’s steering committee will evaluate applications after the deadline and may use external experts as necessary. Research plans submitted with applications may be checked with Turnitin OriginalityCheck for plagiarism in accordance with the University’s quality system; the use of artificial intelligence and how it was used in preparing the research plan may also be assessed.
Applicants selected for UTUGS fixed-term doctoral researcher positions must meet the eligibility requirements defined in the University of Turku Rules of Procedure (13.12.2024).
In selection of the doctoral researcher positions, applicant’s motivation, capability and ability to complete a doctoral degree are evaluated. This assessment is influenced by the applicant’s prior academic merits: academic performance (grade of major/degree and thesis grade), possibly already published scientific articles, possibly already completed postgraduate studies for the doctoral degree, awards, community engagement, positions of responsibility/leadership roles, and other academic merits. Particular attention is given to the research plan: the research plan’s quality, feasibility, and the realism of the timetable. Three-year target time and possible other external personal funding targeted towards the project are considered advantages of the research plan. The chosen applicants must have a good command of the English language.
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.
In the selection of doctoral researcher positions for the up to one‑year positions for applicants in the final stages of their doctoral research, priority is given to doctoral researchers who present a realistic plan for finalising their doctoral degree in 2027. In the selection particular attention is given to the completion stage of the doctoral dissertation, applicant’s success in the already completed doctoral dissertation research and postgraduate studies, as well as in securing personal funding. In addition, the need for funding to complete the degree is assessed.
The doctoral programme’s steering committee will evaluate applications after the deadline using the criteria named above and may use external experts as necessary. If needed, top applicants may be interviewed prior to the final decision.
Decisions on the fixed‑term doctoral researcher position with an employment contract
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
sci-docstudies(at)utu.fi
https://www.utu.fi/en/research/utugs/exactus/admission
EXACTUS coordinator Eevi Savola (eevi.savola(at)utu.fi)
