find a phd in finland

Doctoral admissions

You can search for doctoral programmes on the application portal Studyinfo.fi , or you can contact the universities directly about the doctoral study and research options they offer. Check the application times and procedures, eligibility requirements and other details with the university you are interested in. The following links will take you to each university's Doctoral studies and research info pages.

• Aalto University
• University of Helsinki
• University of Eastern Finland
• University of Jyväskylä
• University of Lapland
• LUT University
• University of Oulu
• Hanken School of Economics
• University of the Arts Helsinki
• Tampere University
• University of Turku
• University of Vaasa
• Åbo Akademi University  

Doctoral / PhD funding opportunities

See the advice on doctoral level scholarships  to learn where you can search for doctoral level research funding. The universities may also offer paid doctoral and post-doc positions, see below.

Academic research positions and jobs

Announcements for doctoral and post-doc researcher positions at Finnish universities can also be found on academic recruitment sites like:

• Jobs in Finland / Academic
• Academicpositions.fi

Early career researcher info & advice

Information, advice and guidelines for early career researchers - compiled by the Finnish Union of University Researchers and Teachers (FUURT)

Scientific research in Finland

Research.fi is a service offered by the Ministry of Education and Culture where you can learn more about the Finnish science and innovation system and policy, and research conducted in Finland.

• Research.fi

Aalto Doctoral Programme in Engineering

Application period:

Language of instruction:, eligibility:, field of study:, organising school:, choose doctoral studies at the school of engineering.

The research at our school focuses on Arctic technology, sustainable built environments, mechanics and materials, multidisciplinary energy technologies and systems design and production.

Doctoral student Aino Mäntyranta: Materials stole my heart during my undergraduate degree

Aino Mäntyranta’s interest in engineering materials led her to win an award for her master’s thesis and to pursue a career in research.

What are doctoral studies like?

As a doctoral student, you are part of an international academic community. The doctoral research and studies develop you into an expert of your research topic and build your professional capacity.

Doctoral education pilot

We are hiring 178 new doctoral researchers - get your doctorate from Aalto

Your path to doctoral studies at the School of Engineering

• Apply for a salaried doctoral researcher position at Aalto. Salaried doctoral researcher positions are advertised at  Aalto University Open positions .
• If you are interested in  full-time studies but there are no open positions at the moment, please directly contact a professor in charge of your intended research field to discuss the possible supervision of doctoral studies. Professors may also have information on other funding possibilities (such as grants), as well as on upcoming positions that are not yet announced.
• If you are employed elsewhere but wish to pursue doctoral studies, that is possible either as a  full-time or part-time student , depending on your situation. In this case, please contact the potential supervising professor directly. Note that to pursue the degree, you need to reside in Finland at least part of the study time.
• It is also possible to start pursuing doctoral studies without funding (part-time doctoral studies). In this case, please contact the potential supervising professor directly. Note that to pursue the degree, you need to reside in Finland at least part of the study time. Non-Finnish citizens need therefore to take into account  the income requirements of the Finnish Immigration Service. 
• After agreeing with the supervising professor, apply for the study right  (in addition to a possible working contract at Aalto) in our doctoral programme - see instructions below. Please note that you are not a doctoral student before you are officially admitted to the doctoral programme.

Note: Before applying for the salaried positions and/or contacting the potential supervising professor(s), please check below the requirements and qualifications needed for applying for the study right in our doctoral programme.

Discover your research topic and find a supervising professor

Research activities at the departments are arranged under research groups. If your research interest aligns with one of the research groups, it will be easier to find a doctoral study place.

Find research groups under our Department pages 

Research fields and supervising professors in the School of Engineering

In addition to the departments' and research groups' pages, you can use Aalto University's research portal for finding the professors who are researching the area in which you want to do your doctoral research. Before applying for doctoral studies you should be aware of the research done and researchers working in the field of your interest.

Aalto University's research portal for finding our researchers and research projects

More information on discovering your research topic and finding a professor

Get to know our research and people

District heating customers and companies could benefit from better services

District heat providers should do more to heed their customers' wishes, and both stand to gain.

Mashrura Musharraf: You don’t get to see a lot of women like me in academic leadership positions

'I think my shoes are quite unique, and so is my path. You don’t get to see a lot of women like me, a non-white female from Bangladesh, in academic leadership positions. Especially in a male-dominated field like marine technology.'

Graduate Sustainability Competencies and Influence in the Workplace – Aalto University's Latest Research

Aalto University's Meeri Karvinen successfully defends her doctoral dissertation, February 2024.

Raine Viitala: 'Spotify for electric motors' opens up platforms for device designers

A research team aims to make electricity and machines work better together

ERC funding to Assistant Professor Junhe Lian to explore new materials via advanced manufacturing

Assistant professor Junhe Lian's goal is to develop an efficient, digital, and ecologically sustainable method for developing new materials and advanced manufacturing technologies with the help of the ERC Starting Grant.

Basic information on doctoral studies

Objective of studies.

The goal of our doctoral education is not only to educate researchers and professors of the future, but also to equip them with professional skills so that they can become experts and game changers in the engineering industry and other sectors.

The aim of doctoral studies is that the student:

• To acquire a profound knowledge of their research field and its social significance;
• To obtain the necessary skills to independently apply the scientific methods of their field and produce new scientific knowledge;
• To obtain a thorough knowledge of the research methods and development of their research field;
• To possess a sufficient level of expertise in the philosophy of engineering and other areas related to their research field.

Content of studies and degree structure

Doctoral students are to complete their degree in four years of full-time study, during which they complete the required doctoral studies and write a doctoral thesis that will be examined in a public defence. For this timescale to be feasible, the workload of the degree should be proportionate to the objective duration of studies. This will be taken into account in the course of the supervision of the doctoral student.

The Doctor of Science (Technology) degree consists of

• an approved doctoral thesis 
• research field studies (20–35 ECTS)
• general research studies (5–20 ECTS)

Study language

The language of instruction is, in principle, English but the doctoral thesis can also be completed in Finnish or Swedish.

The applicants will define in their application in which language they will pursue the degree. The possible languages are Finnish, Swedish, or English. If doctoral students want to write their doctoral thesis in Finnish or in Swedish, the language of the degree will be Finnish or Swedish. If the doctoral thesis is written in English, doctoral students can choose English as the language of the degree that must be approved by the doctoral programme committee. The language of degree can, on reasonable grounds, be changed at a later stage if the language of the doctoral thesis changes.

Funding and fees

The most common ways to fund doctoral studies are

• working in a salaried doctoral researcher position
• personal grant(s) or scholarship(s) from foundations or funding agencies

Most Aalto doctoral students combine different funding sources during their studies. 

How to find and apply for funding for doctoral studies and research? Generally Aalto University does not offer scholarships for doctoral studies. However, there is an on-going scholarship scheme until 2024 for students from African and South American countries: Finland Fellowship .

During the academic year 2024-2025, the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture is funding 178 new doctoral researcher positions at Aalto University through a doctoral education pilot.

Doctoral education pilot: 178 doctoral researchers' salaried positions

Fees and costs

Aalto University doctoral studies are free of tuition fees. Aalto University does not charge fees for enrollment to the University. Doctoral students are welcome to join the Aalto University Student Union. The membership of the Student Union is subject to an annual fee.

If you need a residence permit for research in Finland, please see more information about income requirement at the Finnish Immigration Services .

International possibilities

Internationality is an integral part of the school’s doctoral education in both recruiting and educating doctoral candidates. The School of Engineering is well connected to a number of top-level international universities and research institutes in the field.

Aalto University encourages its doctoral candidates to spend at least six months of their study time abroad because international mobility enhances doctoral candidates’ career prospects. Visiting a foreign university or research institute often means sharing knowledge and know-how, creating new ideas, expanding international networks, and developing one’s professional proficiency.

More information

Career opportunities and employability for Aalto doctoral students

Why choose Aalto University?

How to apply?

Application periods

There are two annual application periods for the programme: one in September and another in March.

The spring application period for doctoral studies starting in the spring term is 15 February 2024 until 7 March 2024 (15:00 PM GMT +2) (decisions are made in April). The autumn application period for doctoral studies starting in the autumn term is 22 August 2024 until 12 September 2024 (15:00 PM GMT +2) (decisions are made in October).

Additional application periods in 2024: 17 May 2024 until 7 June 2024 (23.59 PM GMT +2) and 15 November 2024 until 5 December 2024 (23.59 PM GMT +2)

Please note that from 1 August 2016 onwards the accepted applicants may accept only one study place leading to a higher education degree in Finland during one academic term (Universities Act 558/2009). Higher education degrees include bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees awarded by universities as well as degrees from universities of applied sciences.

Applicants must submit the electronic application and all required attachments by the deadline. Only complete applications will be processed.

Eligibility

Eligibility of applicants to the Aalto Doctoral Programme in Engineering

To be eligible for doctoral studies at the School of Engineering, students must hold:

• a master’s degree granted by a Finnish university or a Finnish university of applied sciences that provides them with the knowledge base required for the postgraduate research field applied for, or;
• a degree granted by a university or university of applied sciences abroad corresponding to the Finnish master’s degree, providing them with the knowledge base required for the postgraduate research field applied for.

In principle, an acceptable master’s degree is one carried out in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Process (3+2 years). A degree earned abroad in a country that does not follow the Bologna Process must include a minimum of four years of studies and a master’s thesis, and be deemed by the School of Engineering as providing the student with an adequate knowledge base for doctoral studies in the school.

Applying with a degree from a university of applied sciences

The potential of applicantsto succeed in doctoral studies is assessed by the School of Engineering on a case-by-case basis for applicants with a Finnish master’s degree from a university of applied sciences. Granting the right to study requires that the school to determine the applicant’s need for supplementary studies. If the school deems that such an applicant in an applicable technical field does have potential for completing the doctoral degree, the applicant will be assigned any necessary ssupplementary studies to allow him or her to start the doctoral studies. The extent of supplementary studies may not, however, exceed 60 ECTS. If the extent of supplementary studies exceeds this maximum, the applicant will be advised to first pursue the master's degree before applying for a right to pursue a doctoral degree. When assessing the applicants’ potential for doctoral studies, the school shall take into account that the extent of the master’s degree from a university of applied sciences in the field of technology is 60 ECTS, which corresponds to studies of one year’s duration, whereas the extent of a university master’s degree is 120 ECTS, which corresponds to studies of two years’ duration. The extent of master’s degrees from a university of applied sciences in fields other than technology is 60 ECTS or 90 ECTS.

International applicants with a previous technical degree corresponding to a Finnish degree from a university of applied sciences are subject to the same rules as those with the corresponding Finnish degree.

It is also possible to complete doctoral studies in a field or school other than the one in which the master’s degree was obtained. Those wishing to pursue doctoral studies in another field, on account of job experience gained in that field or interest in it, can discuss with a professor in that field the necessary prerequisites for admission as a doctoral student.

The professor (i.e. supervising professor) who is responsible for the research field to which the applicant is applying to is responsible for the academic evaluation of the applicant. The Doctoral Programme Committee will also evaluate the applicant.

Full-time and part-time studies

Full-time doctoral students plan their studies with the aim of completing a doctoral degree within four years of admission to the doctoral programme. Full-time doctoral students need to have funding allocated for the doctoral studies (e.g. project funding, a personal grant or funding from employer).  Students working outside of Aalto University who wish to be full-time doctoral students must provide a document of the employers' approval for full-time doctoral studies (working students must be able to dedicate up to 80 % of their working hours).

Part-time doctoral student

Part-time doctoral students are those who do not meet the above-mentioned requirements for full-time doctoral students. Their studies are planned in such a way that the time spent on doctoral studies is eight years or less. A part-time doctoral student typically has a main occupation outside the School of Engineering which occupation does not include scientific research for a doctoral thesis.

Applicants for part-time doctoral studies should discuss:

• whether the research is closely connected with the applicant’s own work;
• what opportunities the employer has for supporting intensive postgraduate studying e.g. alongside work.

Admission requirements

The following is required of the applicant:

• Adequate knowledge in the research field applied for, gained through, for example, courses in the major subject or courses in an advanced module within the master’s studies.
• Sufficient basic knowledge that supports the thesis work and the writing of the thesis.
• An excellent command of Finnish, Swedish or English.

When necessary, the School of Engineering will set prerequisites for admission to the doctoral programme. These may be gained by taking master's-level courses.

Grades (on the scale of 1 to 5)

• The master’s thesis has been completed with the minimum grade of 3/5.
• The master’s degree that is the basis of doctoral studies has been completed with an average grade of 3.0/5 or higher.
• Those with a master’s degree earned in accordance with the degree regulations of 1995 or at an earlier time must have earned the master’s degree that is the basis of doctoral studies with an average grade of 3.0/5 or higher.

The same criteria are applied to students with a foreign degree or degree from another Finnish university or university of applied sciences. Students who fail to meet these minimum grade criteria, but are otherwise suitable for doctoral studies, may improve their grades by taking additional courses, or the School of Engineering may set other prerequisites for doctoral studies.

Other admissions criteria (academic evaluation):

• prior academic success;
• content of prior university studies;
• potential for a researcher career, prior research experience: research-related work experience, conference presentations, journal articles etc.;
• suitability of the research topic: relevance of the topic for the research focus area of the department;
• research proposal: the original contribution of the research to the theory and practice of the field; the feasibility of the research proposal;
• time management and resources: the feasibility of the study plan and the time available for the doctoral studies within the next four years;
• the university’s resources for thesis supervision in the applicant’s field of research;
• other grounds presented by the applicant.

The professor (i.e. supervising professor) responsible for the research field the applicant is applying to is responsible for the academic evaluation of the applicant. The Doctoral Programme Committee will also evaluate the applicant.

Application materials

Please submit your application for doctoral studies by filling in the electronic application form. All the application materials must be submitted  in electronic format (pdf) . Also see the instructions for mailing the degree certificates and transcripts*.

The mailing address for degree certificates and transcripts of records is:

Reetta Mannola Aalto University School of Engineering P. O. Box 15200 00076 Aalto Finland

If you deliver your documents by using courier services, please use the following address:

Reetta Mannola or Ritva Viero                                         Aalto University                                           School of Engineering                                 Room 233                                               Tietotie 1E                                               02150 Espoo                                               Finland                                                         [email protected]  or   [email protected]  

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Therefore, start to prepare your application early enough.

The study credit plan, research plan and supervision plan need to be approved by the applicant and the supervising professor. By signing these documents, the professor responsible for the research field confirms his or her commitment to be the supervising professor of the applicant.

Students who have earned a master's degree at Aalto University (or the forerunners of Aalto University) are required to provide the following application materials:

• Application form in the Studyinfo.fi
• A curriculum vitae (CV) that includes a list of publications and other scientific activity
• Preliminary study credit plan  (PDF) (the supervising professor's signature is needed). Please see curriculum 2022-2024 . Please use the abbreviation D for doctoral level courses provided by Aalto University. Note, a compulsory course: Research Ethics for Doctoral Students D, LC-L1010
• Preliminary  research plan (PDF) and schedule for its completion. The plan must include the signature of the applicant and the supervising professor of the research field applied for. Full-time doctoral candidates should prepare their research and publishing plan for a midterm review (after 1½-2 years of doctoral studies). This means, for example, completing all courses (40 ECTS) and developing the research and publishing plan according to the plan.
• Funding plan; alternatively, it can be included in the research proposal. Indicate the start and ending of secured funding time and describe your funding sources (scholarships, projects etc.).
• Supervision plan ( Guidelines for supervising doctoral candidates ). The supervision plan must include the signatures of the applicant, the supervising professor, and the thesis advisor.
• Motivation letter in English, one page long
• Copy of the applicant's passport or ID-card
• Any other supporting documents e.g. letter(s) of recommendations

Applicants with a master's degree or education earned at an institution other than Aalto University (or the forerunners of Aalto University) shall also provide the following documents:

• master's degree certificate, including all the appendices and  the Diploma Supplement  in European countries
• Official transcripts of records of all the courses included in the master’s degree
• Official translations of these, if the originals are not in Finnish, Swedish, or English.
• Please upload these as scanned copies to the electronic application form on Studyinfo.fi and mail them to the address above, too .
• Abstract of master's thesis in English
• A successful applicant must have an excellent command of Finnish, Swedish, or English.
• Please see Required language proficiency
• A document confirming eligibility for doctoral studies, if needed (please see eligibility for doctoral studies under the sections How to apply? - Eligibility ) with an official translation, if the original document is not in Finnish, Swedish or English

Please also see the  country-specific requirements if the degree is awarded in: 

Australia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Canada, China, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Sudan, the United Kingdom or the United States.

*Degrees awarded by a higher education institution outside Finland:

You are asked to present your original degree certificate (including all the appendices and  the Diploma Supplement  in European countries) and official transcript of records,  or certified copies of all these*  before a right to study can be granted. You are asked also to present official translations* of these, if the originals are not in Finnish, Swedish or English.

*Degrees awarded by a higher education institution in Finland:

If you have completed a degree in Finland  after 1 January 2003  and you have a  Finnish personal identification code , Aalto University will verify your degree electronically using a national database.

If your degree was completed  before 1 January 2003 , or you do not have a Finnish personal identification code, you are asked to present your original degree certificate  (including all the appendices and  the Diploma Supplement  in European countries)  and official transcript of records  or certified copies of all these*  before a right to study can be granted.

  *Certified copies and translations

Copies of degree certificates and a transcript of records must be  certified by the awarding university  or  by a notary public . The copies must be taken from the original, official documents. A multiple-page certified copy must be certified on the front side of every page. Each page must have the  certifying official’s original signature, printed name, ink stamp and date . Copies of officially certified copies are not accepted, thecertifying official’s ink stamps and signatures must be original. A note declaring official copy status (such as a “True copy” stamp) is insufficient.

The translation is official if it has been done by the  higher education institution that awarded the degree  or by a  certified translator (authorised translator) . The translations must have the certified translator’s original ink stamp and signature.

The official translations must be either original or certified paper copies of the original documents. Unofficial copies of the translations are insufficient. The official translations must be accompanied by certified paper copies of the original documents in the original language. Translations by themselves are insufficient.

Supervising professors for the research fields of the doctoral programme are listed here .

Required language proficiency

All international students applying for doctoral studies must demonstrate their proficiency in English. Applicants are required to attach an official language test report to their application.

The recognized English language tests and their minimum scores required for admission to doctoral studies are (Aalto University Admissions Criteria 2024):

• Academic: 6.5 and for writing 5.5
• Indicator (Academic): 6.5 and for writing 5.5
• IBT (Internet-based Test): 92 and for the writing section 22 or
• iBT® Special Home Edition: 92 and for the writing section 22
• PDT (Paper-delivered Test): reading 22, listening 22 ja writing 24
• C1 Advanced (prev. Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)): A,B or C
• C2 Proficiency (prev. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)): A,B,C or Level C1
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE A): 62 and for writing 54

The minimum requirements are very strict. If your score does not fulfill the minimum requirements, you are not eligible to apply and your application cannot be processed. Only the above-mentioned language tests are accepted.

IELTS, TOEFL and PTE results are valid for two years starting from the test date. The CAE and CPE results do not have an expiration date .

Submitting language test scores

Only official reports of the language test are acceptable as proof of proficiency.

• For IELTS test, upload a copy of the official test report (as a PDF) to the application system. The test results are verified through the test administrator’s electronic verification service.
• TOEFL test results must be sent to Aalto University by the test administrator directly. Request your official score report to be sent from the test administrator to Aalto University reporting code  7364 . Unofficial score reports sent by applicants will not be accepted. Test scores submitted with the Aalto University reporting code are checked for authenticity in the test administrator’s verification database. The scores are available within 1 to 2 weeks of sending the score report request.
• PTE test scores are sent via the test administrator’s electronic service. Applicants who took the PTE test must log in to their PTE account and send their results in the system to Aalto University. The test administrator notifies by email when the results have been sent to the university.
• For the C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency language test, upload a PDF copy of the results report to the application system. The test-taker’s ID number (e.g. ABC1234567) and reference number (e.g. 173YU0034522) must be entered in the system. Test takers must be logged in to the language test system to submit their results to Aalto University. The results are verified electronically.

An English language test is not required in doctoral admissions of applicants who  (Aalto University Admissions Criteria 2024):

Applicants who have completed a higher education degree and the requisite studies

• at a university or a university of applied sciences in Finland in Finnish, Swedish or English;
• at a university or a university of applied sciences in an EU/EEA country in English. The language of the degree must be stated in the degree certificate or its appendix, the transcript of records or other official document, such as diploma supplement, issued by the higher education institution in question.
• in an English-language programme requiring a physical on-site presence at a university in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Switzerland, South Africa or the United States.
• received his or her primary and secondary education in English in an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States.
• earned a degree Aalto Executive Education MBA, EMBA or DBA.
• has completed the CEMS Master in International Management entity.
• Applicants to doctoral studies who have academic duties in the field of science and technology at Aalto University (statement needed from the professor of the research field on the adequacy of the student’s language proficiency).

In points 1–3 of the above list, a minimum of one half of the aforementioned degree must be completed in a country and higher education institution that meets the requirements for exempting the student from taking an English test. The language of the degree must be stated unambiguously in the degree certificate or its appendix, or in the transcript of records or other official document issued by the awarding institution. If the degree was completed in more than one language, the appendix must indicate the amount of studies that were completed in English.

In points 1-2 of the above list, university degree showing language proficiency must be at least three years´ lower university degree, at least one year´s higher university degree or doctorate. The university must be recognised part of the country´s official national education system. The university must be found on the country´s official list of recognised universities with a right to degree-granting or on a list of recognised universities maintained by an international organisation (e.g., UNESCO).

The university must be recognised in the country of point 1 or 2.

Only the above-mentioned groups are exempted from the language test requirement. For all other applicants, the official language test result is a compulsory application document and applications without the test result will not be processed. There are no exceptions to the above-mentioned requirements.

Application procedure

Guidelines for filling in the application form

• After reading the instructions and getting all the documents ready, register on the online Studyinfo.fi application system. Fill in the application, attach all the required documents and send it.
• Definition of a full-time and a part-time doctoral candidate. Please indicate accordingly. Full-time doctoral students must be able to dedicate up to 80 % of their working hours. Those working outside Aalto University and applying for full-time doctoral studies must provide a document of the employees' approval for full-time doctoral studies.
• The language of the degree : choose either Finnish, Swedish or English
• Last name and all first names: the spelling of names must match your valid passport.
• Contact information: all information regarding the application and the decision process will be sent to the email address you provide.
• If you haven't completed your master's degree by the application deadline, check the graduation schedule with your home university and the date for acquiring your official degree certificate.
• Conditions for providing student information: The conditions will take effect if and when you receive a right to study. You will be able to change the conditions in the Sisu ( [email protected] ) system later.
• Remember to save and submit your application.

Before submitting the application, each applicant must contact a professor in charge of doctoral studies in their intended research field and the supervision of the studies. Applicants are urged to ensure that their own expertise and research interests are commensurate with those of the research group that they are applying to to  (and with those of the supervising professor of their studies).

In order to prepare for the discussion with the professor, it is beneficial to prepare a CV (along with a possible list of publications) and a preliminary research plan. At this point the applicant’s eligibility and prerequisites for doctoral studies will be checked by the professor. Possible prerequisites for admission will also be discussed.

In addition to the research plan, the student will discuss the study plan, a funding plan and a supervision plan with the professor. See more about these documents below. By signing the application, you and your supervising professor commit to study and work according to the mutual plan. See  here for more information about the rights and responsibilities of the student and the supervising professor.

If you have any questions about the admissions, please contact the Learning Services of the Doctoral Programme in Engineering

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UEF Doctoral School

The University of Eastern Finland's Doctoral School and the associated doctoral programmes are responsible for arranging scientific doctoral studies at our university. Our doctoral programmes offer teaching and supervision for doctoral researchers. The aim is to ensure the high quality of doctoral education and to educate highly skilled researchers and experts.

The director of the doctoral school is Academic Rector Tapio Määttä. Administration of the school is coordinated by Head of Education Kaisa Laitinen, and the development of the doctoral school's activities and teaching programme are coordinated by Senior Lecturer Merja Lyytikäinen (contact information below).

Upcoming public examinations of doctoral dissertations

New in doctoral education

The University of Eastern Finland is involved in 11 doctoral education pilots. New doctoral positions with three-year employment contracts will be available.

Learn more about the doctoral education pilots

Doctoral programmes

Doctoral education in the University of Eastern Finland is arranged in 13 discipline specific or thematic doctoral programmes. Further information about applying to programmes, research areas and doctoral studies can be found on the homepages of doctoral programmes.

Philosophical Faculty

• Doctoral Programme in Educational Studies
• Doctoral Programme in Social and Cultural Encounters
• Welfare, Health and Management (WELMA) Doctoral Programme

Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology

• Doctoral Programme in Science, Forestry and Technology

Faculty of Health Sciences

• Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research
• Doctoral Programme in Drug Research
• Doctoral Programme in Molecular Medicine
• Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences

Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies

• Past, Space and Environment in Society Doctoral Programme
• Doctoral Programme in Business Studies
• Doctoral Programme in Law

Content related to doctoral education

Instructions and forms

Find information for different phases in the doctoral education on Kamu Student handbook.

Doctoral researcher positions

Learn more about salary-paying UEF doctoral researcher positions and shared doctoral researcher positions.

For grant-based researchers

We have gathered information and instructions for grant-based researchers in Kamu Student handbook.

Conferment ceremonies

The Doctoral Conferment Ceremony shows appreciation for persons who have completed a doctoral degree.

Contact information

The UEF Doctoral School coordinates doctoral education at the university and provides transferable skills studies to all of the university's doctoral students. All doctoral students are automatically included in the doctoral school.

Doctoral programmes processes applications and makes proposals for the faculties on the rights to study to be granted. They are responsible for the organisation of subject-related doctoral studies, and for the supervision of doctoral students.

Faculties are responsible for the administration of doctoral studies. Faculties decide on requirements of doctorates, approve the doctoral studies curricula, grant the right to pursue doctoral studies, approve the research topic and research supervisor(s), research and doctoral study plans and any changes made to these. Faculties also appoint the preliminary and final examiners for doctoral dissertations and licentiate theses and the opponents and the chairman of the public examination (the Custos) for doctoral dissertations. Faculties grant the permission for the public examination, approve and grade the licentiate thesis and the doctoral dissertation, and approve completed doctoral degrees, award the degrees and give the degree certificates.

Development of the doctoral school's activities and teaching programme: Senior Lecturer Merja Lyytikäinen .

Administration of the doctoral school: Head of Education Kaisa Laitinen .

Contact information of the directors and coordinator of the doctoral programmes can be found on the homepages of programmes .

Contact person: Amanuensis Kaisu Kortelainen .

E-mail: [email protected]

Contact person: Head of Education Kaisa Laitinen .

E-mail: [email protected]

Contact persons: Head of Education Annikki Honkanen and Academic Affairs Coordinator Anne Korhonen .

International Doctoral Programme in Epidemiology and Public Health (IPPE)

Excellence in research training and capacity building, degree earned, planned duration, extent of studies.

The main objectives of the international doctoral programme are to increase knowledge and understanding of major public health problems, particularly in low and middle income countries, and to build sustainable public health capacity by training epidemiologists and public health personnel for leadership positions in research, administration, programme planning and policy development, in collaboration with global partners.

The selected PhD candidates will attend one academic year (August – May) at the Health Sciences Campus (Kauppi Campus) to complete the required full-time coursework (60 ECTS).

The required coursework includes doctoral level courses in epidemiology, biostatistics and other health sciences. There are also courses and seminars on research proposal development, study design, implementation and analysis, comminication and reporting. For more information see the Curricula guide . The courses may be selected to meet  the students individual learning and professional goals.

Completion of a doctoral degree usually requires 3-4 years after completion of coursework.

PhD research (3-4 additional years): Field research (in Finland or abroad) is generally conducted after the coursework has been completed. A doctoral dissertation requires 3-4 original scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals.

After completion of coursework and successful public defence of dissertation, the candidate will receive a doctoral degree (PhD) in epidemiology or a related field.

Detailed information on the content and structure of the studies is included in the curriculum.

Become a student

Learn more about the studies, admissions, and eligibility criteria on Studyinfo. In addition, applications are submitted via the Studyinfo.fi service.

Carefully read through the admissions requirements before applying. For additional questions on applying, application documents and application process, please contact coordinator of doctoral studies Ms. Tiina Kangasluoma ( ippe.doc.tau [at] tuni.fi (ippe[dot]doc[dot]tau[at]tuni[dot]fi) . For questions concerning Studyinfo and officially certified copies of educational documents, please contact the Admissions Office ( admissions.tau [at] tuni.fi (admissions[dot]tau[at]tuni[dot]fi) ). 

In autumn 2022 the application period for IPPE was organised between 14 November – 15 December.

For more information

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Degree programme   Postgraduate degree (University)

Degree earned: Doctor of Health Sciences , Doctor of Medical Science , Doctor of Philosophy

Extent of studies: 240 ECTS

Planned duration: 4 years

City: Tampere

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) constitute the Tampere Universities community. Our areas of priority in research and education are technology, health and society. Tampere University: +358 (0)294 5211 Tampere University of Applied Sciences : +358 (0)294 5222

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18 PhD jobs in Finland

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• PhD positions in Tampere (6)
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Search results (18)

Doctoral Researcher (Learning and Control for Autonomous Robotics)

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health and s...

Doctoral Researcher in Process Metallurgy (solidification of steel)

The University of Oulu is one of the biggest and most multidisciplinary universities in Finland. We create new knowledge and innovations that help to solve global challenges. We offer you an intern...

Doctoral Researcher in Process Metallurgy (reduction of chromite)

Doctoral researcher in modular automation solutions and services (dsii).

Doctoral researcher position in AI-assisted photosynthetic devices

We are seeking a doctoral researcher to join the Photosynthetic Microbes group led by Professor Yagut Allahverdiyeva. The positions are part of the PhotoFactory consortium, which has recently recei...

Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student)/Project Researcher, Biomass Combustion Emission Research

The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student)/Project Researcher position in biomass combustion emission research at the Department Chemistry on t...

Junior researchers (doctoral students) in power electronics, electrical machines and electric transport systems

The LUT School of Energy Systems is looking for a junior researchers (doctoral students) in power electronics, electrical machines and electric transport systems The main task will be to conduct studies and research for a doctoral dissertation in ...

Mem-Fast – Doctoral Students for membrane technology

The LUT School of Engineering Sciences is offering two (2) fully funded doctoral student (junior researcher) positions related to membrane processes in biorefining. PositionsThe positions are connected to the MSCA Doctoral Networks programme. The ...

Three Postdoctoral Researcher or Doctoral Researchers for Machine Vision and Signal Analysis, in Center for Machine Vision and Signal Analysis (CMVS)

Junior researchers (doctoral students) in optimization of water electrolyser systems.

The LUT School of Energy Systems is looking for junior researchers (doctoral students) in the optimisation of water electrolyser systems.LUT’s hydrogen research team has participated in the internationally recognised projects Neo-Carbon Energy, So...

Doctoral Researcher in carbonation of magnesium silicates, Faculty of Technology, Fibre and Particle Engineering

Doctoral researcher in the field of dissolution-precipitation chemistry of inorganic side streams and cements, doctoral researcher (prein i-deep doctoral education pilot), 5 positions, doctoral researcher (fame – flagship of advanced mathematics for sensing, imaging and modelling), 8-10 positions.

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our university community has its competitive edges in technology, health and soc...

Doctoral Researcher (Engineering Sciences), 5 positions

Doctoral researcher (engineering and natural sciences), 3 positions, junior researchers (doctoral students) in sustainable mechatronics.

The Laboratory of Sustainable Mechatronics at the LUT School of Energy Systems is looking for two junior researchers (i.e., doctoral students) to join its interdisciplinary team dedicated to developing innovative mechatronic solutions that advance...

Postdoctoral and/or Doctoral researcher to Turku Medical Bioinformatics Centre (2 positions) in Finland

Turku Bioscience Centre has an open position for a postdoctoral and/or doctoral researcher. The position is for two years, with a possibility for extension. The start date is September 1st 2024, bu...

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University-funded doctoral researcher positions

There is one application period each year for University-funded doctoral researcher positions for all of the University's doctoral programmes.

In 2023, the Doctoral School granted €20 million for new salaried doctoral researcher roles, funding 118 four-year positions.

The next application period for salaried positions will be on 27.8.-9.9.2024.   

On this page, the whole application process will be explained step-by-step. 

Familiarise yourself first with the information found on this page. More detailed instructions will be available in June.

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 [email protected] .

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.

What is the difference between a University of Helsinki (UH) salaried position and post-graduate study rights?

• A UH salaried position means that you receive a salary as an employment contract with the University for working on your doctoral thesis.  
• Post-graduate study rights allow you to pursue a post-graduate doctoral degree at one of the UH faculties. Study rights do not include funding.

Can I apply for a salaried position from more than one doctoral programme?

• You may apply for a UH-funded doctoral researcher position from a maximum of two doctoral programmes. If you have submitted more than two applications, the two most recently dated will be considered and reviewed.  
• Please check the specific instructions from each doctoral programme and remember to submit a separate application for each one.  

I am a member of the Doctoral Programme in X of the University of Helsinki. Can I apply for a salaried position in the Doctoral Programme in Y?

• You can apply for a salaried position from another doctoral programme. Please read the instructions on the website of your selected doctoral programme. 
• Please note that you may apply for a UH-funded doctoral candidate position from a maximum of two doctoral programmes. 

I do not yet have the right to pursue a post-graduate doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki. Can I apply for this at the same time as I apply for a salaried position or can I apply after the application for salaried positions is closed?

• Post-graduate study rights are applied in a different application call. The first possible call is in September.
• Please read carefully the instructions regarding applying for the right to pursue a post-graduate doctoral degree . Please notice that different doctoral programmes have different application rounds. Check your doctoral programme's application rounds from its web pages.
• Please note also that applying for the study right in other than September call may result in your employment beginning later than 1 January 2024.
• According to the guidelines of the University of Helsinki, individuals recruited to salaried doctoral researcher positions must receive post-graduate study rights within the six-month trial period of the position.

I am not yet eligible to apply for right to pursue a post-graduate doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki. Can I apply for a salaried position?

• In the case of certain doctoral programmes, salary applications are accepted from applicants who will graduate by a certain date (e.g., by the end of 2023).
• If you are not eligible to apply in the autumn call, for instance if you have not yet completed all your degree studies by the call deadline, or you are unable to show the required language skills, you must apply for post-graduate study rights in the next application round of the doctoral programme. 

I am also applying for funding for my doctoral studies from elsewhere. Can I apply for a salaried position at the University of Helsinki?

• If you are offered both a salary position and funding from another source, you may have to choose how to use the funding appropriately. 

I have secured funding for part of my doctoral studies. Can I apply for a salaried position at the University of Helsinki?

• If you are offered a salary position, you must begin to use it within the calendar year 2024. You may not receive other working grants at the same time as a salaried position from the University of Helsinki.  

I do not yet have right to pursue a post-graduate doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki, and intend to apply for a salaried position. Which attachments do I have to submit?

• You need to complete the application form and submit the required scanned copies of your education documentation, research plan, CV and the other attachments required by the doctoral programme. 
• Please check the requirements on the website of your selected doctoral programme, as the required documents vary between doctoral programmes.

Can I submit the required attachments after the application call has closed?

• All attachments must be submitted by the end of the application call.

I was awarded my degree by the University of Helsinki. Why do I have to enclose certificates with the application?

• The educational documents of applicants are assessed by doctoral programmes and must be included as part of the application. 

I have a master’s degree. Do I have to enclose with my application or submit copies of my bachelor’s degree?

• Not if you are applying based on your master's degree. 
• If you wish for it to be evaluated in relation to your application, please submit copies of your degree. 

I applied for a salaried position last year. Do I need to resubmit all the required attachments this year?

• All applications must include the required electronic attachments.

Where can I find the degree requirements to complete my study plan?

• The degree requirements of doctoral programmes are available in the Instructions for Students under Scope and Structure of Doctoral Degrees

I have been offered a salaried position from more than one doctoral programme. What should I do?

• You can accept the position which is best suited to you.
• You should discuss the matter with your supervisor before making a decision.
• Please note that you may need to change the doctoral programme and possibly reapply for study right if your faculty or target degree changes.