You can apply for a fixed-term doctoral researcher position under an employment contract at the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS) and/or iCANDOC doctoral education pilot at the Faculty of Medicine, in the doctoral programme in molecular medicine (TuDMM), in the period 28.8.–13.9.2024. Please read the more specific instructions below and apply on 13 September 2024 at the latest. Candidates with a medical training, may be considered for the positions with a flexible working arrangement, in order to enable clinical work, that requires employment at the hospital but is beneficial for the thesis project.

Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine (TuDMM) is a doctoral programme established in the Faculty of Medicine in 2012. The programme offers diverse and high-standard doctoral training in the broad field of molecular medicine. In addition to solid basic research, the various research fields of molecular medicine are characterized by a strong investment in translational research, which aims to utilize the knowledge obtained in basic research in clinical research and, on the other hand, to utilize patient samples in elucidating the underlying mechanisms of diseases, and identifying treatment targets. The traditionally strong research areas of bio- and clinical medicine at the Turku Campus, such as cancer research, endocrinology and metabolism, immunology, microbiology, and connective tissue research, are all represented among the research groups affiliated to our programme. TuDMM works together with the other local doctoral programmes operating in biosciences and will also participate in the national networks of doctoral programmes in the area of life sciences.

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 the 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 molecular medicine, developed skills to critically interpret research data, and master key research methods relevant to their research.
• Thoroughly understand the impact of molecular/biomedicine 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 molecular 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.

Job description

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

When applying for a fixed-term doctoral researcher position under an employment contract with the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS):

The fixed-term position of a doctoral researcher is set to begin on 1 January 2025 at the earliest and for the duration of a maximum of two years (up to until 31 December 2026). The positions are primarily intended for full-time doctoral dissertation research and doctoral studies. Duties other than those related to doctoral dissertation research, such as teaching duties, must be proportioned so as not to compromise the completion of the doctoral dissertation within the planned schedule. As a rule, up to 5% (a maximum of 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.

A person already awarded with a doctoral degree cannot be chosen as a doctoral researcher under an employment contract. A doctoral researcher position requires living in Finland for the duration of the employment contract. The salary is based on the salary system of university teaching and research staff. It consists of a task-specific salary component and personal performance salary component. The task-specific salary component of a doctoral researcher is at level 2–4. 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.

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.

When applying for 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.