Doctoral researcher or postdoctoral researcher, would you like to have a mentor?

Eligible applicants are the doctoral researchers and postdoctoral researchers of the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University. Grantees are also welcome to participate in mentoring programmes. Please note that applying is binding, i.e. presence in the opening seminar in February and active participation in the meetings throughout the mentoring programme are required. During the programme, the participants and their mentor are expected to meet 5—6 times. If you are not in Turku in February - October, please indicate this clearly in the application form.

Applying to the mentoring programme is done by filling in an electronic form to which a motivation letter and a CV are attached as one document. In the motivation letter, you are expected to describe you, your interests, and your goals regarding the mentoring programme.

You should name 3-5 people, one of whom you wish to be your mentor, on the application form. If you name a person not living in Finland, please justify your suggestion in the application form. You don't need to contact people by yourself. So, before filling in the form, think over your expectations for a mentor and the mentoring programme. Based on the application and motivation letter, the mentoring team and your mentor will get a picture of you, your interests, and what your expectations for the programme are.

The application form opens when the application period starts.

>> Link to the application form

The application form questions are in English. However, you may also give your answers in Finnish and write your motivation letter and CV in Finnish in case you wish to have a Finnish speaking mentor.

In the application, you are asked to name three to five people who you would like to have as your mentor. Here are a few tips what to consider before filling the application form for the mentoring programme:

1. Use time to figure out your professional goals and your goals for the mentoring programme.
2. Know what you are looking for a mentor. PhD degree and work experience from your dream job would certainly be an advantage to a mentor. However, other issues might be more important to reach your professional goals.
   • Reach out to your existing networks and use social media to find people who you would like to have as your mentor. Your supervisors, colleagues, collaborators, or superiors might have good ideas. LinkedIn is a great tool if you do not have existing networks for this purpose.
   • Remember, finding a mentor is not just about finding someone with a great career; it is also about finding someone who understands your unique needs and can provide tailored guidance and support. It is highly likely that, for example, the richest person in the world is not interested in volunteering to help you to reach your professional goals. Be patient and persistent in your search, and you will likely find a mentor who can significantly contribute to your professional development.
3. Write an appealing motivation letter. What kind of motivation letter would encourage you to help a stranger? Guidelines and tips for the contents of the motivation letter is provided below.  

When you are ready, fill in the electronic application form and relax. Mentoring programme staff will contact possible mentors. The programme will start with the Opening seminar in February.

The motivation letter will be sent to your mentor in order for them to be able to get to know you and your aims. Thus, address the letter to your future mentor.

In the motivation letter, talk about yourself, your professional goals, and expectations for the mentoring programme. The more clearly you are able to communicate your expectations, the more likely it is for you to be accepted to the programme.

You may apply the same principles to the motivation letter as you would to a job application, for instance. The letter is ca. 1 page long organized text in which you market yourself to your mentor and tell why you are interested in participating in the mentoring programme. Write about why you would be a good and motivated mentee and what aims you wish to achieve during the mentoring programme. Motivation letter is not your research plan.

While drafting the motivation letter, feel free to use the following questions as an aid:

• Tell about yourself, your studies, and your professional career briefly and succinctly.
• Tell about your strengths and what type of things you are especially interested in.
• How do you see in your future as a researcher and/or an employee like?
• What type of tasks in your own field interest you?
• Why do you wish to participate in the mentoring programme and what do you expect to gain from it?
• What type of professional expert in your own field would you like to get to know?
• What themes would you like to go over with your mentor?
• What tasks do you find challenging and what areas of expertise would you like to develop?
• The letter can reflect your personality!