Turku Collegium for Science, Medicine and Technology - Call for Applications 2024

TCSMT selects its researchers through an international competition, which is open to all researchers in the fields of Science, Medicine and Technology.

The call is open June 17 - August 16, 2024

Postdoctoral Researchers

The person to be appointed to the postdoctoral researcher position is required to hold a doctoral degree, which may not have been completed more than five years before the end of the application submission deadline. Particular attention is paid to the candidate’s international research experience. The successful candidate should have a linkage with the research activities of the University of Turku and should, as a rule, be able to join an existing research group or work under the supervision of a senior researcher at the University of Turku.

>> 2024 Call for Applications for the Postdoctoral Researcher positions in Science, Medicine and Technology (pdf)

>> Apply for the Postdoctoral Researcher positions (available from 17 June to 16 August)

>> Hakukuulutus 2024 (pdf)

Collegium researchers

Collegium Researcher is an ambitious young researcher who wants to start independent research work, has gained a doctoral degree certificate a minimum of three years and a maximum of nine years before the expiry of the application submission deadline, and has international research experience (significant postdoctoral research work abroad is essential).

>> 2024 Call for Applications for the Junior Group Leader Positions (Collegium Researchers) in Science, Medicine and Technology (pdf) 

>> Apply for the Collegium Researcher positions (available from 17 June to 16 August)

>> Hakukuulutus 2024 (pdf)

Applying

Applications are submitted via University of Turku’s electronic application form only. Applicants will receive confirmation on the submission of an application. Please note that once the application is submitted, applicants may still make adjustments to the application up to the deadline.

The application deadline is August 16, 2024 at 16.00 (Finnish time, UTC +2/Helsinki). Processing of applications starts immediately after the end of the application period and therefore late applications i.e. applications sent after the application deadline or changes made to applications after the application deadline will not be considered.

In the application form, applicants are asked to provide a link to their ORCID iD profile, to indicate the preferred host Faculty (incl. department or unit) at the University of Turku, and to state their research field and their international research connections.

Applications must be submitted on August 16, 2024 at the latest (16.00 Finnish time, UTC +2/Helsinki) via the University of Turku electronic application system

Optimal applicants have completed their doctoral degree no more than 5 years before the call deadline of August 16, 2024 (postdoctoral researchers) or 9 years before the call deadline (collegium researchers). Not included in the net period of nine years are family leaves, military service, etc. Applicants who wish to claim such an exemption should highlight this in their CV. 

Application documents

The application must contain the following pdf-documents written in English:

TCSMT Postdoctoral positions

  1. A personal statement or motivation letter containing a description of your scientific background, international research connections and research interests, and how these relate to research conducted at the University of Turku.
  2. Curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages)
  3. List of publications (with 5 most important ones indicated)
  4. Doctoral degree certificate. If the original degree certificate is not written in English, Finnish or Swedish an official translation in English must also be submitted.

Note! You do not need to attach any research plan/academic portfolio to your application, even if the application system may suggest so.

TCSMT Junior Group Leader Positions

  1. A personal statement or motivation letter containing a description of your scientific background, international research connections and research interests, and how these relate to research conducted at the University of Turku.
  2. Curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages)
  3. List of publications (with 5 most important ones indicated)
  4. Summary of your research plan (max. 2 pages)
  5. Doctoral degree certificate. If the original degree certificate is not written in English, Finnish or Swedish an official translation in English must also be submitted.

Note! You do not need to attach an academic portfolio to your application, even if the application system may suggest so.

Evaluation process and decisions

Applications meeting the formal requirements will be evaluated by the TCSMT Board. Top applicants will be interviewed. Successful applicants will be selected on the basis of academic excellence.

TCSMT Postdoctoral positions 

The TCSMT Board evaluates the applications and selects the top candidates for interview. During the evaluation process, particular attention will be paid to the candidates’ international research experience, as well as to the stage of their research career and linkage with the research performed at the University of Turku.

Timetable and decisions 2024

Call for applications: 17 June –16 August
Evaluation by TCSMT Board: 26 August – 13 September
Invitations for interview at latest 23 September
Preliminary time for interviews: 7-18 October
Decisions: October

Invitations to interview will be sent via email. The final decisions will be made after the interviews and those interviewed will be notified after the final decisions are made.

TCSMT Junior Group Leader Positions

Applications for the TCSMT Junior Group Leader / Collegium Researcher positions will be evaluated in three stages.

In the first stage, applications will be evaluated by the TCSMT Board, and the most promising candidates will be selected for the second stage. In the second stage, the selected applications will be reviewed by external experts. The experts are selected based on their scientific expertise in the fields of Biosciences, Health and Environment, Natural Sciences and Engineering.

The following categories will be evaluated during the review process:

1) suitability to the position (potential for independent research work, stage of research career)
2) scientific competence
3) international experience, research collaborations
4) quality of research plan
5) overall score

Based on evaluations and comments given by the evaluators, the board will select the best applications for the third stage of interviews and closer evaluation.

Timetable and decisions 2024

Call for applications: 17 June – 16 August
Evaluation by TCSMT Board: 26 August – 13 September
TCSMT Board meeting - selection of the top applicants for external review: 23–27 September
External review process: 30 September – 18 October
TCSMT Board meeting - selection of the top applicants for interview: 28–31 October
Invitations for interview at latest 1 November 2023
Preliminary time for interviews: 18–22 November
Decisions: late November

Applicants will be notified by email if they proceed for the second stage (external evaluation). Invitations to interview after external evaluation will be sent by email. The decisions will be made shortly after the interviews and those interviewed will be notified after the final decisions are made.

Please contact TCSMT Coordinator for further information.

Further information

For further information, please contact tcsmt-info@utu.fi or TCSMT coordinator Sanni Helander, sanni.helander(at)utu.fi