Doctoral Programme on Drug Research and Diagnostics - Admission Criteria and Instructions for Applicants

Application period: 25 August 2026 - 8 September 2026 at 23:59  (local time in Finland)

Call for applications DRD autumn 2026

Hakuilmoitus DRD syksy 2026

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 Doctoral Programme on Drug Research and Diagnostics at the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Science or the Faculty of Technology 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 Doctoral Programme on Drug Research and Diagnostics it is also possible to apply for a doctoral researcher position to carry out a specific component (subproject) of the dissertation. A sub-component refers to a clearly defined, limited research task that can be carried out during the period of employment and that produces a concrete outcome (such as an article, or analysis). All applicants must describe in their application a plan for completing the doctoral degree. In addition, applicants who are applying for the position to complete a subproject within the doctoral dissertation must clearly specify the content, implementation, and schedule of that subproject. (see more information in the section “Appendices”)

In addition, up to one‑year positions for 2027 are available for applicants in the final stages of their doctoral research. The aim is to submit the dissertation for pre‑examination during 2027.

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.

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§).

• 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 Medicine, the Faculty of Science or the Faculty of Technology and the requirements of the Doctoral Programme on Drug Research and Diagnostics. 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 Medicine, the Faculty of Science or the Faculty of Technology, Doctoral Programme on Drug Research and Diagnostics. 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 Doctoral Programme on Drug Research and Diagnostics 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. 

Please read carefully the instructions of the faculty you are applying to well in advance:

> Faculty of Medicine
Especially pay attention to these instructions when applying: Before applying / Doctoral training at the Faculty of Medicine

> Faculty of Science

>Faculty of Technology

Supervision

A prerequisite for admission is that at least two persons* have agreed to act as supervisors and fulfill the qualification requirements for supervisors. Finding a supervisor is the responsibility of the applicant.

Please follow the instructions of the faculty in question.

*At Faculty of Medicine: When only one supervisor for doctoral training is proposed, the supervisor’s justified plea for approval of only one supervisor must be attached to the application.

Follow-up committee

Follow-up committee is an important part of the PhD studies in DRD. The role and tasks of the follow-up committee are listed in detail in the study guide. DRD follow-up committee comprises of supervisors and 2-3 other researchers familiar with the research topic, two of whom must be from outside the doctoral researcher's own group according to the rules of the Faculty of Medicine. At least one of the external members should be affiliated with University of Turku and be familiar with the practicalities of doctoral training in the Faculty and in DRD. The follow-up committee ensures progress of the doctoral researcher's thesis work and studies, provides an external perspective on the research, and supports both researcher and supervisor(s). The applicant negotiates with their supervisor(s) to assemble the follow-up committee and agrees with the members of the committee on annual monitoring practices.

DRD instructions

Eligible applicants with a research topic fitting the scope of DRD can apply. The motivation to apply to DRD is presented in the motivation letter. To plan the theoretical studies, applicants should take into account the Learning outcomes of DRD, their research project and individual career plans. The postgraduate study plan must comply with the DRD curriculum.

DRD doctoral researchers in the Faculty of Science or the Faculty of Technology are required to include at least 5 credits of doctoral programme specific training by DRD in their postgraduate studies. Same is recommended to the DRD doctoral researchers in the Faculty of Medicine. It is strongly recommended that every doctoral researcher actively participates in the annual meetings of the DRD and the annual meetings of FinPharmaNet and gives an oral presentation at least once during their doctoral studies at one of the events.

Prepare also the documents mentioned in the DRD Call for applications autumn 2026.

•  Check the application period
• Read the instructions of the faculty in question and the doctoral programme carefully!
• If you are going to verify your language skills with a language test, make sure that you book your test time well in advance. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make his/her own language test arrangements
• Get the required signatures in time and prepare the appendices
• Fill in the electric application form
• Remember to apply in time
• Keep your original certificates at hand and prepare to acquire officially certified copies if needed!

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 required attachments are described in more detail at the end of this announcement (Appendix 1 & Appendix 2).

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

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 start 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 start 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 Doctoral Programme on Drug Research and Diagnostics; if you have not yet been granted study right, you must apply for one in the Doctoral Programme on Drug Research and Diagnostics in Studyinfo (see “How to apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree”). 

Attachments to the application when applying for a right to pursue a doctoral degree

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 are recommended to be written in English.

1) 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.

2) Certificate of language proficiency

The University of Turku follows the Rector’s decision (8.6.2026) 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.

3) Research plan

Research plan must be approved by the supervisor, max 5 pages.

The plan should consist of: abstract, background, aims and hypotheses, significance, how will the plan be carried out in practice, research environment, timetable and funding 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.

4) 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.

5) Motivation letter (why do you wish to perform doctoral studies in this doctoral programme, max 1 page)

6) Curriculum Vitae of the applicant (it is mandatory to use this attached CV model)

7) Supervision and study plan

Faculty of Medicine: Supervision and study plan 
Read faculty instructions carefully (and fill in electronically, print and sign together with the supervisor/-s and the head of subject)
See: Subjects in doctoral training and heads of doctoral subject

Applicants to the iPhD track select the iPhD track in their application. The applicants to the iPhD track add to Supervision plan to the place for item 4 “Other details / aspects” that they apply to iPhD track.

Faculty of Science: Supervision plan

The applicants to the iPhD track add to Supervision plan to the place for “Other things agreed” that they apply to iPhD track.

Faculty of Technology: Supervision plan

The applicants to the iPhD track add to Supervision plan to the place for “Other things agreed” that they apply to iPhD track.

8) The supervisor’s justified plea for approval of only one supervisor

At the Faculty of Medicine: Only when one supervisor for doctoral training is proposed. See Before applying / Doctoral training at the Faculty of Medicine under section Supervision.

Attachments to the application when applying for doctoral researcher position with employment contract

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 are recommended to be written in English.

1) CV of the applicant (it is mandatory to use this attached CV model)

2) Research plan

The research plan must be up to date, approved by the supervisor, max 5 pages.

The plan should consist of: abstract, background, aims and hypotheses, significance, how will the plan be carried out in practice, research environment, timetable and funding 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.

3) Doctoral dissertation implementation and completion plan (max. 2 pages)

All applicants must include in their application a plan for completing the doctoral degree. The plan should provide a realistic description of the implementation of the doctoral research, the timetable for the different stages of the work, and the required funding. It should also describe how the doctoral project will progress towards completion within the proposed schedule.

Applicants applying for a salaried doctoral researcher position to carry out a subproject must additionally describe the content, implementation, and timetable of the subproject. The description should demonstrate that the subproject is clearly defined, feasible within the period of employment, and leads to a concrete research outcome (e.g. a scientific article or analysis). (Place this attachment under “Other attachments” in the application form)

4) 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.

5) Motivation letter (Max 1 page)

Why do you wish to perform doctoral studies in this doctoral programme. (Place this attachment under “Other attachments” in the application form)

Applicant’s research topic must fit the profile of the doctoral programme. The doctoral programme’s steering group 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.

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 Medicine, the Faculty of Science or the Faculty of Technology and the Doctoral Programme on Drug Research and Diagnostics for granting the right to pursue a doctoral degree

In the evaluation attention is paid to the quality and feasibility of the research plan, as well as the realism of the proposed timetable. In addition, the applicant’s academic and research merits, previous studies, and their capability and motivation to complete a doctoral degree as well as the supervision and funding arrangements are taken into account.

DRD assessment criteria for the right to pursue a doctoral degree
Research plan: Innovativeness and novelty of the research and its realistic implementation within the timeframe of 4 years
CV and motivation letter: Content of formal postgraduate training and its relevance to the area of the doctoral program, merits (e.g. awards and own funding), completion plan of the dissertation, future career plans
Interview: Logical presentation of the planned research, language and presentation skills, expertise in the field of planned research, and proficiency in discussion, motivation, and commitment
Field of research: Relevant research topic to the DRD (preclinical or clinical drug research, or research related to diagnostic applications), the proposed research and training in the field of drug research and/or diagnostics are supported by the close environment              
Supervision arrangements: Competence of supervisors in the field of drug- or diagnostic-related research, merits of the supervisors and their competence in supervising doctoral candidates, participation of the supervisors in organizing postgraduate training and courses

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

Applicants selected for UTUGS fixed‑term doctoral researcher positions must meet the eligibility requirements defined in the University of Turku Rules of Procedure (13 December 2024).

In the selection of applicants for funded doctoral researcher positions, particular attention is paid to the quality and feasibility of the research plan, as well as the realism of the proposed timetable. In addition, the applicant’s academic and research merits, and their capability and motivation to complete a doctoral degree are taken into account.

DRD assessment criteria for fixed‑term doctoral researcher positions
Research plan: Innovativeness and novelty of the research and its realistic implementation within the timeframe of 4 years
CV and motivation letter: Progress of research training, content of formal postgraduate training and its relevance to the area of the doctoral program, merits (e.g. awards and own funding), completion plan of the dissertation, future career plans
Interview: Logical presentation of the planned research, language and presentation skills, expertise in the field of planned research, and proficiency in discussion, motivation, and commitment
Field of research: Relevant research topic to the DRD (preclinical or clinical drug research, or research related to diagnostic applications), the proposed research and training in the field of drug research and/or diagnostics are supported by the close environment        

DRD is multidisciplinary, and aims to promote all research fields which may be taken into consideration when the positions are filled. 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.

Selection process is stepwise and applicants may be invited to interview after preliminary selection. The invitation will be sent by email. Interview will be evaluated together with the preliminary assessment of the application for final decision.

Decisions on the right to pursue a doctoral degree

The vice‑dean or dean responsible for doctoral education in the faculty decides on the granting of the right to pursue a doctoral degree on the basis of the doctoral programme steering group’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 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 or unit 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.

Additional information

Faculty of Medicine:
Chief Academic Officer Outi Irjala
outi.irjala(at)utu.fi   

Faculty of Science:
Chief Academic Officer Sanna Nordman
sci-docstudies(at)utu.fi   

Faculty of Technology:
tech-doc(at)utu.fi

Additional DRD information

DRD director, professor Matti Poutanen, matti.poutanen(at)utu.fi (iPhD)

DRD coordinator PhD Marja Peura, marja.peura(at)utu.fi

DRD UTUGS 2026-2027: Fixed term doctoral researcher positions 2026-2027