The Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science (DPNurs) in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Turku invites applications for contract-based, fixed term doctoral researcher positions from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2030.
The Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science (DPNurs) provides systematic doctoral education in the field of nursing science. DPNurs covers central research fields in nursing science. DPNurs is responsible for the doctoral education in health sciences at the University of Turku. DPNurs educates high-level researchers and experts in nursing science for the national and international needs of the research field, as well as for social and health services, education, business, and industry. DPNurs supports expertise required in research activities and systematic career development in nursing science. Doctoral Researchers are involved in the national and international nursing and health science community, where the Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science has strong integration.
DPNurs graduates are able to generate new, high-quality academic knowledge in their field of research, have the skills to promote and supervise research in collaboration with the academic community and master the skills required for cross-disciplinary thinking.
For more information about the Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science, please visit the doctoral programme's website.
Job description
The position is intended for full‑time doctoral research and doctoral studies. A person who already holds a doctoral degree cannot be selected to a doctoral researcher position. 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. Participation in teaching and other duties should be arranged so that the dissertation can be completed within the planned timetable. 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).
Employment starts on 1 Jan 2027 or as agreed during the year 2027. 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. 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. In the Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science, it is also possible to apply for a doctoral researcher position to carry out a specific component (subproject) of the dissertation. A subproject refers to a clearly defined, limited research task that can be completed during the employment period and that produces a concrete outcome (e.g. an article, a chapter, or an analysis). When applying for a position to carry out a subproject, the content and implementation of the subproject must be described in the application form. All applicants must also present in their application a plan for completing the doctoral degree.
Who we are looking for
Conditions of eligibility
- You must hold an active study right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Turku in the Faculty of Medicine, Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science. In addition, when acquiring the degree or otherwise, you are required to have demonstrated the ability to undertake postgraduate studies and the capacity to complete a doctoral degree in accordance with the research plan. (University of Turku Rules of Procedure 13.12.2024).
- or if you have not yet been granted right to pursue a doctoral degree, you must apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science 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 Turku, Finland.
We value collegiality and promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We encourage all qualified applicants with different backgrounds to apply for our open positions.
Benefits
We offer you responsible and interesting tasks and the opportunity to develop your professional skills in a versatile operating environment. You get a professional and inspiring team to support your work. We take care of your well-being at work and the functionality of your everyday life, e.g. with the help of flexible working hours and our well-being services.
- Possibilities to develop your expertise – We encourage our personnel to develop their professional expertise by offering versatile training and competence development possibilities which employees can take advantage of during their working hours. Also, the course offering of Open University is free of charge for our personnel.
- Your well-being is important to us! – In addition to comprehensive occupational health care, our own well-being services monitor, support and develop the well-being of our personnel. You are entitled to use the CampusSport’s services at a personnel price.
- We support your work-life balance – Flexible working hours and extensive remote work options help you balance work and leisure time.
- An inspiring and supportive work community – We encourage each other and value working together!
Please read more about University of Turku as an employer from our Come work with us! pages.
The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research quality label. The label is a token of the University's commitment to continuous development of the position and working conditions of researchers according to the guidelines set forth in the European Charter for Researchers.
The university offers good support and orientation for international hires. Please learn more about the Finnish culture and relocation to Finland:
The University of Turku is among the top of the world’s universities in most rankings and among the best universities in the world in certain fields. Our high-quality basic research, a multidisciplinary research profile and close cooperation in research infrastructures creates the basis for international top research. Read more about University of Turku in international university rankings.
The University of Turku has several high-quality research infrastructures required for cutting-edge research. Learn more about the roadmap of research infrastructures and how the research infrastructure and expert teams offer tailored solutions for businesses and organizations.
Salary and trial period
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. The level of task-specific salary component of a new doctoral researcher is generally assessed as level 2. 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 probationary period is six months, however not more than half of the employment period.
How to apply
Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 8 Sep 2026 at 23.59 (Europe/Helsinki).
Applicants must submit all required attachments by the application deadline. Late applications will not be considered.
Please write your application and accompanying documents in English.
Applicants should enclose with their application:
- CV
- list of publications
- research plan
- degree certificate(s) / a transcript of records
- progress and resource plan
Selection criteria and evaluation of applications.
In the selection, the following aspects are also evaluated: the quality and feasibility of the research plan including the feasibility of the proposed timetable as well as its societal impact and scientific relevance. Attention is also given to the applicant’s merits, ability and motivation to complete a doctoral degree. Please consult the doctoral programme’s evaluation criteria in more detail via this link. For applicants who have previously been granted the right to pursue a doctoral degree, progress in doctoral research and doctoral studies will also be assessed; prior funding received for the completion of the doctoral degree may be taken into account when determining the duration of a doctoral researcher position. 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.
The Steering Committee of the Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science uses external experts to assist in the evaluation of applications. Applicants who receive the strongest evaluations from the external reviewers may be invited for an interview. Based on an overall assessment, the Steering Committee of the Doctoral Programme makes a proposal for appointments to the fixed-term doctoral researcher positions.
The decision to appoint a candidate to a doctoral researcher employment position is made by the head of the department based on the proposal of the Doctoral Programme's Steering Committee. All applicants will be informed personally of the Doctoral Programme’s decision by 30 November 2026. The names of the individuals offered an employment position will be published on the Doctoral Programme’s website. Applicants selected for the position must confirm their acceptance of the employment position in accordance with the instructions provided in the selection decision.
Further information
For further information about DPNurs and the application process, please contact DPNurs coordinator Hanna Heikelä, [email protected]
