You can apply for a fixed-term Doctoral researcher position under an employment contract with the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS) and/or a fixed-term Doctoral researcher position under an employment contract with iCANDOC doctoral education pilot during the application period 28 August – 13 September 2024.

The Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research (DPCR) promotes high quality clinical research and supports doctoral training in clinical medicine and other closely related research areas focusing on the etiology, diagnostics and treatment of diseases including the translational medicine and studies on health service systems. A basic degree in medical science is not compulsory. Other degrees are acceptable too, if the research topic of the applicant relates to questions or methods relevant in clinical medicine. The doctoral researchers of DPCR pursue a doctoral degree in either the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Technology or Turku School of Economics. Turku Brain and Mind is a subprogramme of DPCR. Parallel doctoral and clinical specialist training is supported by the doctoral programme.

Doctoral researchers in the fields of immunology, immunology-based drug development and/or diagnostics have the opportunity to apply for and carry out a part of their doctoral studies in the InFLAMES Doctoral Module.

The University of Helsinki’s coordinated iCANDOC national doctoral education pilot in precision cancer medicine is based on he iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship of the Research Council of Finland. In the pilot, 152 PhDs will be trained in Finland over the next few years. It is a collaborative effort of 5 universities, HUS Helsinki University Hospital, 4 wellbeing services counties and industry together with third sector partners.10 fixed-term iCANDOC doctoral researcher positions will be filled in the University of Turku. Precision cancer medicine, which approaches cancer and its disease mechanisms at the genetic and molecular level in combination of leveraging our national strengths: healthcare data registries and a digitized health system, is expected to provide solutions to defeat globally significant cancers. The aim is to produce breakthroughs in research that will improve both cancer treatments and the patients' quality of life.

The goal of the pilot project of the doctoral program and iCANDOC doctoral education is to ensure that doctoral researchers upon completion of their studies:

• Have acquired extensive knowledge of modern and applied medicine, developed skills to critically interpret research data, and master key research methods relevant to their research.
• Thoroughly understand the impact of medicine on the economy and society. And in the pilot, the importance of cancer research and treatment applications.
• Have a clear understanding of both, the basic research and translational research typical of the different research fields of medicine, in elucidating the underlying mechanisms of diseases and identifying treatment targets, as well as the utilization of the obtained information in clinical research, from the initial invention to clinical application.
• Communicate their research to the scientific community and the public.
• Know which career paths are available after obtaining a doctoral degree.

Candidates with a medical training may be considered for positions with flexible working arrangement, in order to enable clinical work requiring employment at the hospital and beneficial for the thesis project.

Job description

The applicant must indicate in the application form which position/s they are applying for.

A fixed-term Doctoral researcher position under an employment contract with the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS)

The position of a Doctoral researcher is set to begin on 1 January 2025 at the earliest and for the duration of a maximum of four years (up to until 31 December 2028). The positions are intended for full-time doctoral dissertation research. Duties other than those related to doctoral dissertation research, such as teaching duties, must not compromise the completion of the doctoral dissertation within the planned schedule. As a rule, up to 5% (maximum about 80 hrs per academic year) of the annual working time of the Doctoral researcher can consist of teaching.

When determining the length of the employment contract, prior funding granted for pursuing a doctoral degree is taken into account. The maximum length for a Doctoral researcher position is four years. A person already awarded with a doctoral degree cannot be chosen as a Doctoral researcher under an employment contract.

A Doctoral researcher works at the University of Turku. A Doctoral researcher position requires residence in Finland.

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. A probationary period of 6 months applies.

From the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research funded position can also be applied for short periods to be used e.g., in conjunction with clinical specialist training or for other justified reason (the reasoning must be indicated in the application).

Doctoral researchers in immunology, immunological drug development and/or diagnostics completing the InFLAMES Doctoral Module, can apply funding from InFLAMES by selecting that option in the application form.

A fixed-term Doctoral researcher position under an employment contract with iCANDOC doctoral education pilot

When applying for a fixed-term position in the iCANDOC doctoral education pilot, the right to study for a doctoral degree is a prerequisite for accepting the position. Employment begins on 1.1.2025 or, if necessary, as agreed by mutual agreement. The funding is for three years (ending on 31.12.2027), which is the intended duration of the dissertation work.

The employment of a doctoral researcher requires residence in Finland and the place of work is Turku.

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 positions are 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.

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.