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Doctoral researcher positions, Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research (DPCR)

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  • University/Institute Name University of Turku
  • Position Funding Type
  • Unspecified Unspecified
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Position Details

The Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research calls for applications for a fixed-term Doctoral researcher position under an employment contract with the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS). The call period is 29 August – 12 September 2025.

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.

The goal of the doctoral programme 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.
  • 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 position of a Doctoral researcher is set to begin on 1 January 2026 at the earliest and for the duration of a maximum of four years (up to until 31 December 2029). The positions are intended for full-time doctoral dissertation research. The University of Turku aims to significantly increase the number of doctoral graduates, and therefore, there are also positions available for doctoral researchers in their final stages of their PhD research, for a maximum period of one year (for the year 2026 in this application round). 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.

The salary is based on the salary system of the University’s teaching and research staff. Salaries 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 varies between € 2 500 and € 3 300, depending on the progress of the doctoral research and the experience and skills of the person concerned. The task-specific salary component of an entry-level Doctoral researcher is typically on level 2 at the beginning of the employment relationship.

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).

Who we are looking for

Eligibility of the applicant

  • You are required to have an active right to study in the doctoral programme in clinical research at the University of Turku. If you have not yet been granted a right to study, you must apply for a right to pursue a doctoral degree within this call for applications. A right to study is a prerequisite for an applicant to be chosen for a fixed-term Doctoral researcher position under an employment contract; 
  • You are planning to pursue or pursuing your first doctoral degree;
  • You have not previously been granted a full-time four-year funding for pursuing a doctoral degree.

An applicant, who does not yet have the right to study a doctoral degree at the Doctoral Programme in Clinincal Research, at the University of Turku, must apply for it in the Studyinfo.fi system (the application period starts on 29 August and ends on 12 September 2025).

We value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage qualified applicants, regardless of background, 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 doctoral programme and UTUGS. We care about your well-being and the functionality of your everyday life through flexible working hours and our well-being services.

 

Please read more about University of Turku as an employee from our Come work with us! pages.

The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research quality label. The label is a token of the University’s commitment to continuous development of the position and working conditions of researchers according to the guidelines set forth in the European Charter for Researchers. 

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

The University of Turku is among the top of the world’s universities in most rankings and among the best universities in the world in certain fields. Our high-quality basic research, a multidisciplinary research profile and close cooperation in research infrastructures creates the basis for international top research. Read more about University of Turku in international university rankings.

The University of Turku has several high-quality research infrastructures required for cutting-edge research. Learn more about the roadmap of research infrastructures and how the research infrastructure and expert teams offer tailored solutions for businesses and organizations.

Salary and trial period

The salary is based on the salary system of the University’s teaching and research staff. Salaries 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 varies between € 2 500 and € 3 300, depending on the progress of the doctoral research and the experience and skills of the person concerned. The task-specific salary component of an entry-level Doctoral researcher is typically on level 2 at the beginning of the employment relationship.

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).

How to apply

Submit your application through our electronic recruitment TalentAdore system by 12 September 2025 at 16:00 (Europe/Helsinki). The applicant must deliver all required documents by the end of the application period. Any late submissions will not be processed and application documents will not be returned.

In addition, please note that, if necessary, the right to study for a doctoral degree can be applied for by filling in a separate electronic application form in Studyinfo and submitting the required attachments. The autumn application period opens on 29 August 2025 and closes on 12 September 2025 at 16:00 (Europe/Helsinki).

The application documents in PDF format must be prepared in English or Finnish.

Applicants must enclose with their application (Note! not all of the required attachments are marked as obligatory on the form but the applicant must attach them to the application):

– Research plan

– CV of the applicant including the list of publications (e.g., Template for researcher’s curriculum vitae)

– CV from one supervisor (max 2 pages) and the list of publications 2023-2025

– Motivation letter (max 1 page)

Please describe your motivation for completing a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research and how you think the doctoral degree will affect your career. The motivation letter is a one page long freeform document. If the applicant has a right to study for a doctoral degree at another university or in another doctoral programme at the University of Turku, the applicant must provide reasons for changing over to DPCR. A student may hold only one doctoral degree study right at the University of Turku at a time. If you are applying to the Turku School of Economics, please also follow the instructions of the School.

– Degree certificate and transcript of study records of previous degree

Decisions and assesment of applications

Those who applied for a fixed-term doctoral researcher position with UTUGS may be interviewed. Applicants will be notified separately for interviews.

In the selection process, the following factors are emphasized: quality and feasibility of the research plan, applicant’s merits and completed studies as well as applicant’s capability and motivation to complete a doctoral degree (if you wish, you can mention the JUFO classification and impact factor of your publications in your application). The applicant’s research topic must fit in with the profile of the Doctoral Programme. Any other funding received by the applicant for doctoral studies and the phase of the thesis are taken into consideration when determining the duration of the Doctoral researcher position.

DPCR is multidisciplinary and aims to further all relevant research fields, which may be taken into account when filling the Doctoral researcher positions.

The appointment is decided by the Head of the relevant department on the recommendation of the Doctoral Programme’s Steering Committee. All applicants will be informed personally of the decision. The names of those selected for the position of doctoral researcher will be published on the website of the doctoral programme by 28 November 2025. Doctoral researches selected for the position will be required to notify their acceptance of the position in accordance with the instructions given in the selection decision.

Further information

Further information regarding the application:

Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research Coordinator Mikko Tähtö-Pakkanen, [email protected]

Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research (DPCR)

The University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS) consists of doctoral programmes which cover all disciplines and the approximately 2,000 doctoral researchers of the University. 

The aim of the Graduate School is to provide systematic and high quality doctoral training for the doctoral researchers of the University of Turku. Each doctoral researcher has a personal supervisor and the progress of the doctoral dissertation is followed regularly. The aim of doctoral training is to train highly qualified experts with the skills required for both professional career in research and other positions of expertise.

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.

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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Phone:
+358 29 450 5000
Email:
[email protected]

Location: 20014 Turun yliopisto

Information for the applicant

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.

Instructions for submitting a job application

Research Areas & Fields of Study involved in the position

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