Apply Now: University of Helsinki Doctoral Researcher Positions 2024

The University of Helsinki Doctoral School (UHDS) announces the annual call for university-funded doctoral researcher positions for 2024. This opportunity allows selected doctoral researchers to work full-time towards completing their doctoral degrees within four years. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the application process.

General Information

• Funding and Employment: UHDS offers funding for doctoral researcher positions, which come with employment contracts starting January 1, 2025. The contracts include specifics about duration, salary, and employment terms and are available in the call for applications (available as soon as the call is open).
• Application System: Applications must be submitted through the University of Helsinki’s electronic recruitment system. Ensure to submit your application before the deadline at 23:59 EEST on September 9, 2024. Note that questions regarding the application form will not be answered after 16:00 EEST on the closing day.

Eligibility Criteria

• For Current Students:
  • You must have an active doctoral study right at one of the faculties of the University of Helsinki.
  • You should not have been employed as a doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki for four years or longer.
  • Ensure your Thessa account is updated with current thesis committee details, annual reports, and supervision agreements.
• For New Applicants:
  • If you do not have a doctoral study right at the University of Helsinki, you must obtain one within six months of starting the funded position. This process is separate from the doctoral researcher application.
  • You can apply for a doctoral study right in September 2024 or at the latest by spring 2025. Note that delays in obtaining a study right may affect the start date of your employment. More information on how to apply for doctoral study rights is available on the websites of the doctoral programmes.

Application Instructions

1. Contact Supervisor:
   • It is crucial to establish contact with a potential supervisor and prepare your application in collaboration with them.
2. Review Instructions:
   • Thoroughly read both the general instructions and the specific instructions for the doctoral programme you are applying to.
3. Single Application Rule:
   • You can only apply for one university-funded doctoral researcher position per call. If multiple applications are submitted, only the most recent one will be considered.

Application Form and Documents

• Form Submission:
  • Applications must be completed using the designated online form and submitted along with required attachments as a single PDF file. Title this document as “Lastname_Firstname_application” and upload it to the application system under the CV section. The maximum size for this PDF is 5 MB.
• Required Attachments:
  • Research Plan:
    • Applicants must use the research plan template and cannot exceed the maximum number of characters including spaces to ensure equal treatment of all applicants. The application will be rejected if the instructions are not followed.
    • Download research plan template (docx-file). This template includes sections for CV and motivation letter. Do not use other CV or motivation letter templates.
    • Maximum length of the research plan is five pages
  • CV:
    • The CV must follow the template to ensure equal treatment of all applicants. The application will be rejected if the instructions are not followed.
    • Maximum length of CV: two pages
  • Motivation Letter:
    • Limited to one page, outlining your research motivation and fit for the position.
  • Supervision Plan:
    • Download supervision plan template (docx-file)
    • Maximum length: two pages
  • Degree Documents:
    • Include copies of your degree diploma and transcript of studies, even if you already hold a doctoral study right or have graduated from the University of Helsinki.

Evaluation and Selection

• Evaluation Criteria:
  • Excellence: Scientific quality of the research proposal.
  • Competences: Assessment of creative and analytical skills, independent work approach, and collaboration ability.
  • Implementation: Feasibility of the research project and alignment with the doctoral programme’s research profile. Steering committees may employ additional evaluation methods, such as interviews. You can download the evaluation instructions used by the external evaluators here (PDF-file).
• Timeline:
  • September 2024:
    • Application period (August 27 – September 9).
    • Eligibility checks.
    • Online competency assessments between September 12 and 16 for eligible applicants. Ensure access to a smartphone or computer with a working microphone and webcam.
  • October 2024:
    • Possible additional assessments specific to the doctoral programme.
  • November 2024:
    • Final decisions will be made by mid-November. If you need a doctoral study right, the November call for study rights in some programmes will be crucial.
  • December 2024:
    • Finalize practical arrangements, including HR, supervisor, and research group details for selected candidates.
  • January 2025:
    • Earliest possible start date for the funded positions. If applicable, apply for a doctoral study right by January in some doctoral programmes.

Additional Information

• Programme-Specific Instructions:
  • Select your relevant doctoral programme from the dropdown menu above to access specific instructions and eligibility criteria. Each programme may have unique requirements.
• Contact Information:
  • For further inquiries or clarification, please contact phd-positions@helsinki.fi