Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine - Admission Criteria and Instructions for Applicants

Call for Applications Autumn 2026  25.8-8.9.2026

Hakuilmoitus Syksy 2026 25.8-8.9.2026

Older ones:

Call for Applications Spring 2026  2-16.3.2026

Hakukuulutus kevät 2026 2-16.3.2026

TuDMM Call for Applications autumn 2025  29.8-12.9.2025

TuDMM Hakukuulutus syksy 2025 29.8-12.9.2025

TuDMM Call for Applications Spring 2025 (pdf) 3.3-14.3.2025

TuDMM Hakukuulutus Kevät 2025 (pdf) 3.3-14.3.2025

TuDMM Call II for Applications Autumn 2024 (pdf) 28.10-8.11.2024

TuDMM Hakukuulutus II Syksy 2024 (pdf) 28.10-8.11.2024

TuDMM Call for applications Autumn 2024 (pdf) Call I 28.8-13.9.2024

TuDMM Hakukuulutus Syksy 2024 (pdf) Haku I 28.8-13.9.2024

What is expected of you?

When Applying for the Right to Study

Note: The right to study must be applied for by completing an electronic application form in the Opintopolku (Studyinfo) service. 

• To be granted the right to pursue doctoral studies, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria set by the Faculty of Medicine and the Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine (TuDMM).

The eligibility criteria and other general guidelines are available on the Faculty of Medicine’s website.
The right to pursue a doctoral degree at the Faculty of Medicine may be granted to applicants who meet the eligibility requirements defined in the Universities Act (558/2009, Section 37), as well as the specific prerequisites established by the Faculty.

Eligibility for Doctoral Studies
Applicants are eligible for studies leading to an academic postgraduate degree if they have completed:

1. A relevant higher university degree in Finland
2. A relevant higher polytechnic (UAS) degree in Finland; or
3. A relevant degree completed outside Finland that provides eligibility for equivalent higher education in the country of origin

In addition, applicants must meet the University of Turku language skill requirements.

Programme-specific prerequisites for doctoral studies in TuDMM are described in the Study Guide 2024-2027 (Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine, Description section).

Application Requirements
Applicants must:

• Submit a feasible research plan prepared in cooperation with a supervisor from the University of Turku
• Provide a signed supervision and study plan

When Applying for a Fixed-Term Doctoral Researcher Position under an employment contract with the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS)

Note: Funded positions can only be applied for in the autumn application round by completing an electronic application form in the University of Turku recruitment system (Talentadore).

Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria:

    Right to Study

• You must hold an active right to study in the Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine (TuDMM) at the University of Turku;
  or

• If you do not yet have a right to study, you must apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree in the same application round via the Opintopolku (Studyinfo) service 

  A valid right to study is a prerequisite for appointment to a fixed-term doctoral researcher position.

  Additional Requirements

• You are pursuing, or planning to pursue, your first doctoral degree.
• You have not previously been granted full-time four-year funding for doctoral studies.
• Any previous funding for doctoral studies from the University of Turku will be taken into account when determining the duration of a possible new funding period.
• You must submit a feasible research plan, prepared in collaboration with an experienced supervisor at the University of Turku.

     Employment Conditions

• A doctoral researcher’s employment contract requires residence in Finland, and the primary place of work is Turku.

Please read carefully the general application instructions of the Faculty of Medicine

How to Apply for Doctoral Training at the Faculty of Medicine | University of Turku (utu.fi)

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

A prerequisite for study right admission is that there is at least one person who has agreed to act as a supervisor and who fulfills the qualification requirements for supervisors. Finding a supervisor is the responsibility of the applicant. In addition, the applicant to doctoral training needs to assemble an follow-up committee for the doctoral research work. You will also need a signed consent of the head of the doctoral subject into the supervision and study plan attachment. 

When applying, please carefully prepare all the required documents mentioned in the Call for Applications for the Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine.

A detailed Call for Applications will always be published well in advance of the opening of the application round on this webpage. Call for applications for next application round has now been published: Call for Applications Autumn 2026  Hakuilmoitus Syksy 2026

Applying

Qualified applicant with research topic fitting the scope of TuDMM can apply. 

Apply here for right to study 

Instructions for filling in the application form in Opintopolku / Ohjeet hakulomakkeen täyttämiseksi Opintopolussa (pdf) 

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

Please apply via these links. 

In this call for applications, you may apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Turku, Faculty of Medicine,  Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine, and/or for a fixed-term salaried doctoral researcher position funded by the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS).

General instructions and important information before applying to the Faculty of Medicine: Before applying / Doctoral training at the Faculty of Medicine | University of Turku

Application 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 Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine at the Medical Faculty, University of Turku, 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 their 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 Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine, it is also possible to apply for a doctoral researcher position to carry out a defined subproject of a doctoral dissertation. A subproject refers to a clearly defined and delimited part of the doctoral research that can be completed during the employment period and results in a concrete outcome (e.g. a scientific article or an analysis). When applying for a fixed-term salaried position to carry out a subproject, the content and implementation of the subproject must be described in the “Doctoral Dissertation Implementation and Completion Plan” attachment, in accordance with the instructions provided (see Appendix 2, section C).

In addition, fixed-term positions of up to one year for 2027 are available for doctoral researchers in the final phase of their studies, whose aim is to submit their 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. For justified reasons, flexible working arrangements may be considered and agreed upon to support the progress of the doctoral dissertation and related research and practical work. These arrangements may include, for example, clinically relevant work requiring hospital-based duties that support the doctoral research, carried out alongside research work, or other research-related duties. (Justification must be provided in the application form.) 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)

Requirements for applicants

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 Medical Faculty and the requirements of the Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine. 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, Faculty of Medicine, in the Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine. 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 Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine 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. 

How to apply

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 (Talentadore) 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 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 (Talentadore) 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 Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine; 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”). 

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

All application documents are recommended to be prepared in English. Fill in the electronic application form. The attachments listed below must be submitted as part of the electronic application form in the Studyinfo (Opintopolku) system.

Applicants must submit attachments 1–5 when applying for the right to pursue a doctoral degree and, where applicable, attachments 6–8.

Please ensure that all attachments are high-quality, easy-to-read, full-colour scans or photographs of the complete document. All attachments must be submitted in PDF format. Attachments that do not meet these requirements may be rejected. 

Name each file so that the file name clearly indicates both your name and the document type (e.g. surname-firstname-CV).

Please complete all mandatory fields in the application form. For the application form, the applicant must prepare:

• a research plan summary (maximum 4,000 characters)
• a funding plan for the doctoral studies (maximum 1,000 characters)
• the following documents in PDF format:

Required attachments

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) Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum two pages)

The applicant’s CV, including any publication list (maximum two pages). Please use the mandatory CV template provided.

3) Research plan (maximum three pages, excluding references; Arial, font size 12). 

The research plan is recommended to be written in English and should include the following sections: abstract, background and significance, aims and hypotheses, implementation plan, research environment, timetable, and funding plan.

When preparing the research plan you must follow the principles of good scientific practice (link to the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (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) Motivation letter (maximum one page)

In the motivation letter, the applicant must explain why they are applying to pursue a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine. Describe your motivation for doctoral studies and research work. The motivation letter should be a free-form document of up to one page and must be submitted in PDF format.

5) Supervision and study plan – the Faculty’s form (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) 

• The applicant should have two supervisors with at least one supervisor affiliated with University of Turku and holding the UTU -account to use the UGIS system (UGIS-supervisor). 
  • One member in the follow-up committee should be well familiar with the practicalities of doctoral training in the faculty and TuDMM. 
    • The follow-up committee consist of the doctoral researcher’s supervisors, and two to three other researchers who have completed a doctoral degree and are familiar with the topic of the candidate’s research. Two of these other members must come from outside the doctoral researcher’s own research group. Please refer to the faculty website for more detailed instructions. 
    • To plan the theoretical studies, take into account the learning outcomes of TuDMM and your career plans.

Additional attachments (to be submitted if applicable)

6) 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.

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.

8) Justification for a Single Supervisor

When only one supervisor is proposed for doctoral training, a justified statement from the supervisor must be attached to the application. See Before applying / Doctoral training at the Faculty of Medicine > Supervision at Faculty of Medicine instructions

Appendix 2: Attachments to the application when applying for doctoral researcher position with employment contract

All application documents are recommended to be prepared in English. Fill in the electronic application form. The attachments listed below (A-E) must be submitted as part of the Talentadore system’s electronic application form, and all of the attachments listed below are mandatory when applying for a doctoral researcher position with employment contract. 

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 file name clearly indicates both your name and the document type (e.g. surname-firstname-CV). 

A) Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum two pages)

The applicant’s CV, including any publication list (maximum two pages). Please use the mandatory CV template provided.

B) Research plan (maximum three pages, excluding references; Arial, font size 12). 

The research plan is recommended to be written in English and should include the following sections: abstract, background and significance, aims and hypotheses, implementation plan, research environment, timetable, and funding plan.

When preparing the research plan you must follow the principles of good scientific practice (link to the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (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. 

C) Doctoral dissertation implementation and completion plan (maximum 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)

D) Motivation letter (maximum one page)

In the motivation letter, the applicant must explain why they are applying to pursue a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine. Describe your motivation for doctoral studies and research work. The motivation letter should be a free-form document of up to one page and must be submitted in PDF format. (Place this attachment under “Other attachments” in the application form).

E) 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.

Selection criteria and evaluation of applications 

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. 

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 and the Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine for granting the right to pursue a doctoral degree

The key criteria in the doctoral programme’s proposal to the faculty for granting the right to pursue a doctoral degree are the quality and feasibility of the research plan, the realism of the proposed schedule, the applicant’s qualifications and motivation, as well as the supervision arrangements and the quality of the research environment.

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

Applicants selected for fixed‑term doctoral researcher positions funded by UTUGS must meet the eligibility requirements defined in the University of Turku Rules of Procedure (13.12.2024).

In addition, selection is based on the applicant’s academic and research merits, potential, motivation, and ability to complete a doctoral degree. Particular emphasis is placed on the quality, feasibility, and scientific significance of the research plan, as well as the realism of the proposed timetable. The applicant’s career stage is also taken into account, together with the scientific competence and readiness to complete a doctoral degree demonstrated in the interview.

Applications are evaluated with regard to the applicant’s stage of the research career. For example, prior doctoral studies or scientific publications are not required from applicants at an early stage of their research career. For applicants who have already been granted the right to pursue a doctoral degree, the progress of doctoral research and studies is also assessed. Previous funding received by the applicant may be taken into account when determining the duration of the salaried doctoral researcher position.

The selection process takes place in stages, and applicants with the highest evaluation scores are invited to interview. The evaluation is carried out by both external and internal expert reviewers, with each application assessed by at least three reviewers, and the final score calculated as the average of the evaluations. Invitations to interviews are sent by email. The most successful applicants are selected for salaried positions based on the combined scores from the doctoral programme’s evaluation and the interview. The stage and progress of the applicant’s doctoral research, relative to the time available (in full-time work, approximately a four-year target period), are taken into account in the allocation and duration of salaried positions, with due consideration of the applicant’s career stage.

Decision on selections 

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 (Autumn 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.

Appeal for rectification

If an applicant is dissatisfied with the result of the student selection (right to pursue a doctoral degree), they have the right to submit an application for the rectification of the decision to the Faculty of Medicine within 14 days of the official publishing of the results. A justified request for correction must be addressed to the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Turku. Contact information: med-doctoral@utu.fi.

In spring 2024, the Faculty updated its curricula. As a result, certain instructions and regulations concerning doctoral education—including those related to postgraduate studies and the doctoral dissertation—were revised and came into effect on 1 August 2024. Applicants admitted in the spring 2024 application round, as well as those admitted thereafter, will complete their doctoral degrees in accordance with these updated regulations. Any required updates to the personal study plan to ensure compliance with the new regulations will be communicated separately. A further curriculum update is planned for spring 2027 that will take effect on 1 August 2027, and related instructions will be provided separately.

Additional information on study right

Faculty of Medicine: Chief Academic Officer Outi Irjala, outi.irjala@utu.fi

Additional TuDMM information

tudmm@utu.fi

TuDMM director Noora Kotaja, nookot@utu.fi

TuDMM coordinator Verna Louhivuori, vtlouh@utu.fi