Doctoral Programme in Biology, Geography and Geology (BGG)

The Doctoral Programme in Biology, Geography and Geology (BGG) is a multidisciplinary doctoral programme that educates specialists with wide knowledge on natural science research.

Research themes

Biology and Environmental Science

Research topics cover all the levels from cell and molecular biology, physiology and genetics to biodiversity, individual species, interaction between species and evolutionary phenomena on population and community level.

Link to www page: Research at the Department of Biology

Biodiversity research

Research topics include e.g. the effect of climate change on subarctic biodiversity, the diversity of a wide range of taxa, and threats to the Archipelago Sea.

Link to www page: Research at the Biodiversity Unit

Geography and Geology

Research focuses on the dynamic processes of the Earth at various scales of space and time. The research topics range from evolution of the Earth's crust to sedimentology and historical environmental changes, and to innovation of environments and urban structures.

Link to www page: Research at the Department of Geography and Geology

UTUGS funded doctoral researcher position - decisions

BGG steering committee has decided to propose the following applicants to be selected for the funded doctoral researcher positions:

Jeevannavar, Aditya (Biology)              9 / 2023 - 12 / 2025
Kuusisto, Inka (Biodiversity)                2 / 2023 - 12 / 2025
Moullec, Héloïse (Biology)                 10 / 2023 - 7 / 2025
Rantanen, Juhani (Biology)                 1 / 2023 - 12 / 2026

In addition, four short-term funding periods for the year 2023 were proposed:

Bucciolini, Luigi (Biology)                    10 months for the year 2023
Perrault, Charlotte (Biology)                 4/2023 -12/2023
Riihonen, Veera (Biology)                     1/2023-12/2023
Vakili Shahrbabaki, Sajjad (Biology)     10/2023-12/2023

On reserve:  

Bucciolini, Luigi (Biology)                 1. Reserve position
Kukkonen, Jonna (Biology)               2. Reserve position
Huguet, Hoedric (Biology)                 3. Reserve position
Tuomikoski, Elina (Biology)              4. Reserve position

BGG travel grant 2023 - decision

BGG Steering committee has decided to appropriate a travel grant to following doctoral researchers:

  • L. Blåfield
  • N. Cossin-Sevrin
  • M. Jaatsi
  • L. Jonas
  • O. Liehrmann
  • K. Lintunen
  • H. Moullec
  • L. Bucciolini
  • M. Roose                        

The awarded grant must be used within the time period 1 April – 31 December 2023.

BGG Doctoral Programme supports the travelling of its students to events which benefit the students' networking and learning possibilities e.g. scientific meetings, research visits and courses. To receive travel funding from BGG, the applicant must have a presentation at the conference, either a poster or an oral presentation. Grants are not given to the field trips. The travel grant can be received only once per year.

BGG grant for completing a doctoral degree 2023 - decision

BGG Steering committee has decided to appropriate grant for completing a doctoral degree to following persons:

  • N.N.                   2 months
  • T. Kosonen        2 months

During the grant period, the doctoral researcher is assumed to complete the studies required for the doctoral degree and/or finalize the dissertation manuscript so that it can be submitted for pre-examination. The grant requires full-time studies. The grant cannot be received at the same time with earned income from the University of Turku, full-time work by another employer, or another working grant. The grant recipient commits to reporting on progress within four weeks of the end of the grant period. If the situation of the applicant is changed so that above-mentioned conditions are no longer fulfilled, the grant recipient must inform the BGG coordinator without delay.

BGG contact information

Email: sci-docstudies@utu.fi

BGG Director:
Professor Jon Brommer
jon.brommer@utu.fi, +358 50 534 3360

BGG Coordinator:
Coordinator Sari Järvi
sari.jarvi@utu.fi, +358 50 358 4596

Sitaatti PhD BGG Jaatsi
Multidisciplinary doctoral training provides new perspectives to my research. It’s motivating, and helps me to develop as a researcher.
Mia Jaatsi, BGG doctoral researcher, Human geography, UTU