Early Stage Researcher (Doctoral Student) positions, FORES
We are now inviting applications for 28 early-stage researcher positions in the doctoral programmes of the Faculty of Science and Forestry. The positions will be filled as from 1 January 2022. Read more below and submit your application no later than 5 May 2021.
Doctoral education is offered in The Doctoral Programme in Forests and Bioresources (FORES), which is a thematic, multidisciplinary programme covering forests and their sustainable use. With a strong international focus, the programme covers all fields of forest sciences and research training for postgraduate students with an interest in the forest-based bioeconomy, renewable resources and biomaterials.
Position and salary
The early-stage researcher (doctoral student) positions will be filled as of 1 January 2022. According to the University Regulations of the University of Eastern Finland, early-stage researcher positions are always filled for a fixed term. A trial period is applied to new holders of a position.
The main duty of the early-stage researcher is to complete their doctoral dissertation in the Faculty of Science and Forestry at the University of Eastern Finland in accordance with their approved research proposal. The objective is to complete the doctoral degree in a maximum of four years of full-time work. The maximum duration of the doctoral student position is four years. For this period of time the earlier contracts of early-stage researcher will be taken account as well.
You can apply for a doctoral student position on a full-time or part-time basis. Part-time positions must be co-financed with another funding source (e.g. an external foundation or another organisation) so that the total amount of funding makes it possible to work on the doctoral dissertation full-time.
The salary of the position is based on the salary system for the teaching and research staff at universities. The salary consists of the job-related salary element and the personal performance salary element. For this position, the job requirement level used to determine the job-related salary element is 2 – 4 (2,078,27 – 2,591,28 €/month), and the personal performance salary element is 6 – 50% of the job-related salary element. The salary of an early-stage researcher depends on the phase of the doctoral dissertation and postgraduate studies as well as personal performance.
What we expect and wish from you
The person selected for the doctoral student position will be appointed as an early-stage researcher. The early-stage researcher must be eligible for postgraduate studies, and they must have completed a suitable higher university degree or an equivalent foreign education that in the country in question would qualify the person for similar academic studies.
The doctoral student positions may be applied for by persons planning or completing their first doctoral degree. Postgraduate students already enrolled at the University of Eastern Finland and persons planning to complete their doctoral degree at the University of Eastern Finland are qualified to apply. Students finalising their Master’s degree may also apply for the doctoral student positions, provided that they will have completed their degree by 31 July 2021 and submitted a copy of the diploma to the faculty no later than 16 August 2021. In this group, the decision on a possible doctoral student position is subject to the completion of the degree by the deadline.
When selecting early-stage researchers, the following aspects are taken into consideration: the relevance of the applicant’s research to the field of the doctoral programme concerned, the quality and innovativeness of the research proposal, the applicant’s earlier research-related achievements, evaluation of the feasibility of the research and the studies and, for postgraduate students already enrolled at the University of Eastern Finland, the progression of studies. The person selected for the position is required to fulfil the student admission criteria of the doctoral programme concerned. The planned composition of the dissertation must adhere to the faculty guidelines.
For further information on the doctoral programmes and supervision, please see:
https://www.uef.fi/en/uef-doctoral-school
https://kamu.uef.fi/en/student-book/guidance-to-doctoral-studies/
What we can offer you
- An interesting position in an international, creative, participatory and engaging university community
- The possibility of flexible multi-location work
- Staff benefits of the University of Eastern Finland, including comprehensive occupational health care, versatile staff training opportunities, affordable campus restaurant lunches and Sykettä sports services
How to apply
The application shall be submitted no later than 5 May 2021 (by 24.00 Finnish time) by using the electronic application form.
The objective is for the faculty to decide on the persons to be appointed to the positions by the end of June 2021.
Please note that the application is required to have the following appendices:
1. Persons applying for an extension to their existing doctoral student position in the faculty:
- A report on the progression of the doctoral dissertation: A report, not exceeding one page, on the progression of the doctoral dissertation (including publications and completed courses). The report must be approved by the supervisor of the doctoral dissertation.
- A report on the completion of the doctoral dissertation: A report, not exceeding one page, on how the dissertation will be completed and what the schedule will be. The report must include an estimate of when the preliminary examination of the dissertation can be initiated. The report must be approved by the supervisor of the doctoral dissertation.
2. Other applicants
- Curriculum vitae (follow the instructions: https://tenk.fi/en/advice-and-materials/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae)
- List of publications (instructions: https://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply-for-funding/az-index-of-application-guidelines2/list-of-publications/), if not included in the curriculum vitae.
- Research proposal, a short description, not exceeding three pages (+ list of references), of the doctoral research (including schedule for completion). The applicant prepares the research proposal together with their proposed supervisors. The supervisors proposed for the doctoral dissertation must ensure that the composition of the dissertation adheres to the faculty guidelines. The research proposal shall include a short description of the background of the research as well as its objectives, methodology and scientific significance. The research proposal shall include a funding plan. Postgraduate students already enrolled must provide an updated version of their approved research proposal.
- Motivation letter, in which the applicant describes their motivation to pursue postgraduate studies and conduct research.
- Copy of the diploma and transcript of academic records proving the applicant to be eligible to pursue postgraduate studies.
Questions?
For further information on how to apply, please contact: Coordinator of the Programme Marjo-Riitta Möttönen, e-mail marjoriitta.mottonen[a]uef.fi, phone +358 29 445 3504 and Head of Academic Affairs Kaisa Laitinen, e-mail kaisa.laitinen[a]uef.fi, tel. +358 29 445 3003, Faculty of Science and Forestry
For further information on application process, please contact: Executive Assistant Satu Turunen, e-mail satu.turunen[a]uef.fi, phone +358 29 445 3031.
University of Eastern Finland and the Faculty of Science and Forestry in brief
The University of Eastern Finland is the most multidisciplinary university in Finland. We have approximately 15,500 students, and we employ 2,700 people. Our campuses are located in Joensuu and Kuopio. Our research is ranked among the best in the world in several fields. We generate research-based knowledge and make it openly accessible for the benefit of all. UEF stands for action with impact that is relevant today and tomorrow. Learn more about our university at www.uef.fi/en.
The Faculty of Science and Forestry is one of four faculties in the University of Eastern Finland. It operates on two campuses, in Joensuu and in Kuopio. The faculty comprises four departments and two schools. Learn more about our faculty at https://www.uef.fi/en/faculty-of-science-and-forestry.