Call for Applications for Doctoral Researcher Positions at the University of Turku Graduate School, KEVEKO and OPPI Doctoral Programmes (Autumn 2026)

period and what you may apply for

During the application period 25 August 2026 – 8 September 2026 at 23:59 (local time in Finland) you may apply for:

a) The right to pursue a doctoral degree in the University of Turku KEVEKO or OPPI Doctoral Programme at the Faculty of Education from 1 January 2027 onwards.

b) A fixed‑term doctoral researcher position with an employment contract

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 KEVEKO and OPPI Doctoral Programmes it is also possible to apply for a doctoral researcher position to carry out a specific component (subproject) of the dissertation.

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 (or Rauma).

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).

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.

c) Both of the above (a and b)

When applying for the right to pursue a doctoral degree 

• You are required to have completed a relevant Master’s degree awarded by a university or a university of applied sciences, or a relevant study programme abroad which in the awarding country gives eligibility for the corresponding level of higher education (Universities Act 558/2009, 37§). The degree that gives eligibility for admission must be completed by the application deadline;

• You must meet the University of Turku language proficiency requirements. Link to the Graduate School’s web page on language requirements;

• You must meet the faculty and doctoral programme requirements for granting the right to pursue a doctoral degree. Carefully read the application guidelines of the Faculty of Education and the requirements of the KEVEKO and OPPI Doctoral Programmes. More information is provided under “Criteria for granting the right to pursue a doctoral degree”.

When applying for a doctoral researcher position 

• You must hold an active study right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Turku in the Faculty of Education, KEVEKO or OPPI 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 KEVEKO or OPPI Doctoral Programme in this call via the Studyinfo (Opintopolku) service (see the instructions under “How to apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree”). The right to pursue a doctoral degree is a prerequisite for being selected for a position of a doctoral researcher;

• 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 (or Rauma). 

Applications for the right to pursue a doctoral degree are submitted via the Studyinfo (Opintopolku) service and applications for fixed‑term doctoral researcher position with an employment contract are submitted via the University of Turku recruitment system (Talentti) by completing an electronic application form and submitting the required attachments. 

Note that if you apply for both the right to pursue a doctoral degree and a doctoral researcher position with an employment contract, you must submit applications with the required attachments in both systems (see details below). The application attachments are described in more detail below (see sections 'Attachments to the application when applying for a study right' and 'Attachments to the application when applying for a doctoral researcher position with an employment contract' ). 

Links to the application forms will be published on the University of Turku Graduate School web page.

How to apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree 

Apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree by filling the electronic Studyinfo form and submitting the required attachments (see Appendix 1). The Studyinfo form opens at the begin of the application period on 25 August 2026 and closes on 8 September 2026 at 23:59 (local time in Finland). A link to the Graduate School web pages where the links to the application forms will be published.

In this application round, you may apply for admission to up to two doctoral programmes at the University of Turku. You may only have one valid doctoral degree study right at the University of Turku at a time.

Late applications will not be considered. The chosen study programme (doctoral programme) cannot be changed and the application cannot be amended after the application period has ended. 

The Studyinfo service is used solely to apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree; if you also wish to apply for a fixed‑term doctoral researcher position, you must submit a separate application for that position (see the instructions under “How to apply for a fixed‑term doctoral researcher position with an employment contract”). 

How to apply for a fixed‑term doctoral researcher position with an employment contract 

Doctoral researcher positions are applied for by completing the electronic application form in the University of Turku recruitment system (Talentti) and submitting the required attachments (see Appendix 2). The recruitment form opens at the begin of the application period on 25 August 2026 and closes on 8 September 2026 at 23:59 (local time in Finland). 

Doctoral researcher positions will be advertised in the University of Turku’s Open Positions and on the Graduate School web pages at the beginning of the application period.

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.

Selection to a doctoral researcher position requires an active right to pursue a doctoral degree in the KEVEKO or OPPI Doctoral Programme; if you have not yet been granted study right, you must apply for one in Studyinfo (see “How to apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree”). 

The attachments listed below are submitted as part of the electronic application form in the Studyinfo system. Please ensure that all attachments are high-quality, easy-to-read, full-colour scans or photographs of the entire required document. Attachments must be submitted in PDF format. Attachments that do not meet these requirements may be rejected. Name each attachment so that the file name clearly indicates both your name and the document type (for example: surname-firstname-CV).

All application documents should be either in Finnish or in English. 

1. Curriculum Vitae
   
   A list of publications is required to be included in the CV. We recommend that you prepare your CV based on the TENK researcher CV template: Link to the template for researcher’s Curriculum Vitae. 
    
2. 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. Link to the research plan guidelines of doctoral programme on the faculty's website.

3. Motivation letter

A motivation letter is a one-page-long freeform document, in which you are expected to describe your motivation in pursuing doctoral studies and in conducting research. 

4. Commitment of the supervisor

A supervisor commitment is an email or other free-form document, with which the applicant certifies that they have at least one supervisor (professor, assistant or associate professor or docent) who meets the faculty’s supervisor requirements. The supervisor must be employed by the faculty’s department and have approved the applicant's research plan, and agreed to be the first supervisor of the research. If the first supervisor is not employed by the faculty’s department, a second supervisor employed by the faculty’s department must also be identified. 

5. 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 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.

6. Certificate of language proficiency

The University of Turku follows the Rector’s decision (June 8, 2026, TY/1119/2026) that defines acceptable ways of verifying language proficiency. You should read the University of Turku’s guidance on language proficiency carefully: Link to the webpage on language requirements. 

As an attachment to your application, you must include a scanned certificate of a language test approved by the University of Turku, unless the guidance states otherwise.

7. Copy of valid passport

Attach a copy of your valid passport or official identification card with photo and information on citizenship. 

If you have a Finnish personal identity code and you have entered it on the application form, you do not need to attach a copy of your passport.

Fill in the electronic application form. The attachments listed below must be submitted as part of the Talentti system’s electronic application form unless otherwise instructed. 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 should be either in Finnish or in English. 

1. Curriculum Vitae 

A list of publications is required to be included in the CV. We recommend that you prepare your CV based on the TENK researcher CV template: Link to the template for researcher’s Curriculum Vitae. 

2. 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. Link to the research plan guidelines of doctoral programme on the faculty's website. 

3. Motivation letter

A motivation letter is a one-page-long freeform document, in which you are expected to describe your motivation in pursuing doctoral studies and in conducting research.

4. A description of the implementation plan for the doctoral dissertation and progress of the doctoral research and studies (if you already have a right to study for a doctoral degree) (max 2 pages)

A 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.

If you already have a right to study for a doctoral degree in KEVEKO or OPPI Doctoral Programme, please also describe the progress of your doctoral research and studies and present a realistic plan for the completion of your research and degree.

5. 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 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.

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. 

For all applications for the right to pursue a doctoral degree the supervisor's assessment of the applicant, the quality and feasibility of the research plan, and the realism of the time schedule is requested. The supervisor will submit the assessment directly to the doctoral programme Coordinator. 

1. Criteria for granting the right to pursue a doctoral degree 

Granting the right to pursue a doctoral degree requires that the applicant: 

• meets the eligibility criteria determined in the Universities Act (558/2009, Section 37); More information is provided under “Requirements for applicants”.
• meets the University of Turku language proficiency requirements; 
• fulfils the requirements set by the Faculty of Education and KEVEKO and OPPI Doctoral Programmes for granting the right to pursue a doctoral degree

In addition to the eligibility requirements for doctoral studies (Universities Act 558/2009, 37§) and the required language skills, the following criteria apply to the granting of the right to pursue a doctoral degree:

• Your previous studies must include sufficient amount of studies in education or in another field relevant to the doctoral programme. The adequacy of the applicant's previous studies in education or the suitability of previous studies will be assessed by the steering committee of the doctoral programme when evaluating the applications;
• Applicants must have a minimum grade of 3 (on a scale of 1-5) or cum laude approbatur in their Master's thesis. This requirement does not apply to those with a higher university degree outside of Finland. Students with a lower thesis grade may apply for doctoral studies by demonstrating sufficient scientific evidence. A peer-reviewed article with a publishing channel (journal, series or publisher) of at least level 1 in the Publication Forum (JUFO) and in which the applicant is first author may be considered as sufficient scientific evidence;
• In their application, applicants must provide a supervisor (professor, associate professor, assistant professor or docent) who has approved the applicant's research plan and agreed to be the first supervisor of the research. If the first supervisor is not employed by the faculty’s department, the applicant must identify a second supervisor employed by the faculty’s department. If the applicant does not provide a supervisor(s) for their research who meets the faculty’s supervisor requirements in their application, the application will be rejected and will not be considered by the steering committee of the doctoral programme.

Applications that meet the above eligibility and admission requirements will be evaluated by the steering committees of the doctoral programmes according to the following criteria:

1. The quality and feasibility of the research plan:

• The theoretical level of the research plan; knowledge of the theoretical background and its relevance to the research task.
• Methodological feasibility of the study; precision and description of the methods in relation to the research task. 
• Consideration of research ethical issues in the research design. 
• Innovation, novelty, scientific and practical impact of the research. 
• Feasibility of the study; realistic time schedule, plan for resourcing and funding of the studies.
• Clarity of the research plan; the research plan should represent good scientific writing.
• The applicant’s scientific thinking, ability for independent argumentation and capacity for clear and original scholarly expression demonstrated in the research plan.

2. Relevance and suitability of the proposed research to the profile of the doctoral programme.

3. The applicant’s previous academic performance, possible research experience and motivation to complete a doctoral degree 

The quality and feasibility of the research plan carry the greatest weight in the evaluation.

2. Selection criteria for fixed‑term doctoral researcher position with an employment contract

In addition to the eligibility requirements for doctoral researchers as set out in the University of Turku Rules of Procedure (13.12.2024), the following are taken into account in the selection of doctoral researchers with an employment contract:

• The quality and feasibility of the research plan within the target timetable (see the quality assessment aspects on the assessing applications for the right to pursue a doctoral degree above);
• The motivation of the applicant to carry out the planned research;
• The applicant's qualifications, which may include (depending on the applicant) the grade of the Master's degree or equivalent, the doctoral studies completed, work experience, ability to carry out the planned research successfully, scientific publications and international activities;
• Research environment, which will be assessed taking into account the commitment of the supervisor and the suitability of the doctoral research theme for the profile of the KEVEKO or OPPI Doctoral Programme. 

The evaluation of the applications for the position of doctoral researcher will be carried out as an overall assessment, taking into account the stage of the research career – e.g. completed doctoral studies or scientific publications are not required for applicants at an early stage of their research career. 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 OPPI Doctoral Programme, applicants for a doctoral researcher position with an employment contract is required to have an article-based dissertation (not a monograph).

Applications are evaluated by the steering committee of the doctoral programme in accordance with the published selection criteria. The evaluation focuses primarily on the scientific quality and feasibility of the research plan, the applicant’s qualifications and potential for doctoral studies and the support provided by the research environment.

Applications for the right to pursue doctoral degree and for doctoral researcher positions with an employment contract are evaluated by experts. Research plans are assessed by members of the doctoral programme steering committee who hold a doctoral degree, and external experts may also be consulted in the evaluation process. Applications are reviewed in accordance with the principles of responsible research assessment. All individuals involved in the evaluation process take potential conflicts of interest into account, and supervisors do not participate in the evaluation of applications submitted by their own supervisees or in related decision-making.

Proposals concerning the granting of the right to pursue doctoral degree and the selection of doctoral researchers for employment positions are prepared by the steering committee of the doctoral programme on the basis of an overall assessment of the applications.

Decisions on the right to pursue a doctoral degree

The Vice Dean of the Faculty of Education decides on the granting of the right to pursue a doctoral degree on the basis of the doctoral programme steering committee’s proposal. All applicants will be notified of the decisions personally by 30 November 2026. 

An admitted applicant must confirm acceptance of the study place in accordance with the instructions given in the decision by 15 December 2026 at 23:59 (local time in Finland). If the admitted applicant does not give the notification by the end of the allotted time period mentioned above, the applicant forfeits the study place.

A person admitted to more than one university or polytechnic degree programme only notifies the one educational institution at which they choose to accept the study place. Notification, i.e. accepting a study place, is binding and may not be cancelled or changed later. According to Finnish university legislation, an applicant may accept only one study place leading to a higher education degree in Finland during one academic term (autumn term 1 Aug – 31 Dec or spring term 1 Jan – 31 Jul). This rule applies to all higher education, i.e. Bachelor’s and Master’s level degrees awarded by Finnish universities of applied sciences, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees awarded by Finnish universities, and Licentiate and Doctoral degrees awarded by Finnish universities. This regulation is not applied to study rights received in transfer student selections, from the Åland University of Applied Sciences, from the Police University College, and from institutions of higher education outside Finland. 

Applicants who have completed their prior degree in a country other than Finland and who are granted a right to pursue a doctoral degree in this call, need to deliver either the original degree certificates or certified copies of the original degree certificates and their translations to the University of Turku, as instructed in the admission notification, on 8 March 2027 at the latest. If the admitted applicant does not deliver the required certificates by the deadline, they forfeit the study right. A link to the instructions on delivering certificates and country-specific requirements. 

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 (Department of Education or Department of Teacher Education) 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. 

Link to the website of KEVEKO (www.utu.fi/keveko)

Link to the website of OPPI (www.utu.fi/oppi)

Link to the faculty web pages  

Link to the UTUGS web pages 

Contact information for the Doctoral Programme Coordinator Sanna Niukko, sanna.niukko@utu.fi. 

Contact information for the Director of KEVEKO Doctoral Programme: professor Päivi Siivonen, paivi.siivonen@utu.fi

Contact information for the Director of OPPI Doctoral Programme: professor Sara Routarinne, sara.routarinne@utu.fi

Contact information of the Faculty: Chief Academic Officer Anne Niemimäki, edupostgraduate@utu.fi

Call for applications (pdf)