The University of Helsinki (UH) annually allocates funding to doctoral programmes for salaried positions (employment contract). These doctoral researcher positions are designated as full-time work. The aim is that doctoral researchers employed by the University will pursue a post-graduate doctoral degree, which should be completed within four years.
Application periods and instructions
There is one application period each year for University-funded doctoral researcher positions for all of the University’s doctoral programmes.
The next application period for salaried positions will be in 29.08.-14.09.2023.
This year, University of Helsinki opens 128 4-year positions starting in January 2024. A share of the positions are earmarked in particular for Multidisciplinary research on One Health, including a global dimension.
On this page, the whole application process will be explained step-by-step.
Familiarise yourself first with the information found on this page, and then find out specific details from the webpages of the doctoral programme of your choice.
Before applying
1
Eligibility
You can apply for a salaried position in a doctoral programme if you are currently a doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki or are planning to pursue a doctoral degree.
If you already have post-graduate study rights at the University of Helsinki, you can apply for a salaried position, provided you have not yet spent a total of four years with a UH funded doctoral researcher salary.
2
Selection of doctoral programme
If you already have the right to pursue a post-graduate doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki, you may apply for a salaried position from another doctoral programme that suits your research profile.
If you receive a salaried position from another doctoral programme, you will need to change your doctoral programme. Please note that you may need to reapply for post-graduate study rights if your faculty or target degree change in relation to an awarded salaried position.
If you do not have the right to pursue a post-graduate doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki, you may apply for a salaried position, if your research plan fits the research profile of the doctoral programme.
Get to know our doctoral programmes
3
Application for postgraduate study rights
If you do not yet have the right to pursue a postgraduate doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki, you may apply for the right in the September application call or in the next possible application call for the doctoral programme, however in the spring at the latest.
Before you apply for the right to pursue a postgraduate doctoral degree, please familiarise yourself with the postgraduate doctoral degree application instructions in plenty of time, and ensure that you are eligible to apply.
Application process
1
Application submission
Applications for a salaried position in a doctoral programme are submitted via the University of Helsinki recruitment system. You can find the link to the system on doctoral programmes’ web pages.
Your research plan is the most important part of the application – take time to plan it thoroughly. Discuss your research plan with your supervisor(s) in plenty of time before the submission deadline.
2
Application evaluation
Salaried position applications are evaluated by either the doctoral programme steering committee or an external panel. The best applicants may be invited for an interview.
Applications are evaluated according to the criteria as outlined by the doctoral programmes.
3
Decisions
All applicants will be personally notified of the decisions.
Specific instructions and more information
If you are unable to find an answer to a question in either these instructions, or those on the doctoral programme webpages, please check the Frequently asked questions below.
General questions regarding the application can be addressed to phd-positions@helsinki.fi.
If you would like to know more about different doctoral programmes, research plans or supervisors, please contact the doctoral programme directly. Contact details can be found from the webpages of each doctoral programme.
Scholarship & Career 