University of Helsinki RESDOC Framework and Funding 2026

The University of Helsinki Doctoral School (UHDS) invites applications for 30 salaried doctoral researcher positions in various disciplines. The positions are four year fixed term, full-time employment contracts, starting between 1 January and 31 March 2027.

RESDOC is co-funded by the MSCA COFUND programme under Horizon Europe and the University of Helsinki. All selected applicants will carry out their research and studies at the University of Helsinki in Finland. RESDOC provides doctoral researchers with a structured, well-supported research and training environment aligned with European standards for researcher development leading to a doctoral degree awarded by the University of Helsinki in Finland.

The positions are part of an international, interdisciplinary RESDOC doctoral training project, co?funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Marie Sk?odowska?Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND scheme and the University of Helsinki.

About the position

Doctoral researchers will:

• Conduct full-time doctoral research leading to the completion of a PhD degree
• Be enrolled in one of the 14 doctoral programmes of the University of Helsinki corresponding to their research field
• Work as part of an international and multidisciplinary RESDOC doctoral training project
• Receive academic supervision from leading researchers in their respective fields

Research includes temporary secondments or research visits outside the University of Helsinki in RESDOC associated partner organizations when separately agreed. The employment contract will always be concluded with the University of Helsinki.

• Table of Content
• About University of Helsinki
• RESDOC Framework and Funding PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of RESDOC Framework and Funding PhD Scholarship
• Requirements for RESDOC Framework and Funding PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for RESDOC Framework and Funding PhD Scholarship
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

RESDOC Framework and Funding PhD Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of RESDOC Framework and Funding PhD Scholarship

• Duration: 4 years (fixed?term) 2027-2030, including a six month trial period
• Location: Doctoral researchers are expected to reside in Finland during their employment, which can start only after arriving to Finland.
• Salary: approximately €2,900 gross salary per month. Taxes are deducted automatically. Net salary depends on personal tax rate Tax rate calculator - Open MyTax. Salary is determined according to Horizon Europe MSCA COFUND principles.
• A family or special needs allowance may be paid where applicable.

Requirements for RESDOC Framework and Funding PhD Scholarship Qualification

RESDOC has specific eligibility criteria that all applicants must meet. Applications that do not fulfil all eligibility requirements will not be considered further.

Applications may also be rejected if they are submitted late, do not include all required attachments, use incorrect formats, provide oversized attachments or do not follow the provided templates. 

Applicants must fulfil all below-mentioned mandatory eligibility criteria set by MSCA COFUND programme at the call deadline by 31 August 2026. You can use the form below to check your general eligibility before applying.

• Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualifying for doctoral studies
• Not hold a PhD degree
• Be an early stage researcher (less than 4 years of research experience. Early stage researcher shall, at the time of recruitment by the host organisation, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. Full-time equivalent research experience is measured from the date when the applicant obtained the degree entitling him or her to embark on a doctorate.)
• Fulfil English language requirements according to University of Helsinki’s requirements
• Not be permanently employed by the University of Helsinki
• Comply with the MSCA mobility rule (not more than 12 months in Finland in the 36 months preceding the call deadline)
• Be willing to reside in Finland for the full 4 year duration
• Propose a research topic fitting the RESDOC themes and available supervision

Interview date, Process and Venue for RESDOC Framework and Funding PhD Scholarship

The criteria used for evaluation of both the written application and interview is as follows:

0 Fails to address the criterion or cannot be assessed due to missing or incomplete information

1 Poor: the criterion is inadequately addressed or there are serious inherent weaknesses

2 Fair: broadly addresses the criterion but there are significant weaknesses

3 Good: addresses the criterion well but with a number of shortcomings

4 Very good: addresses the criterion very well but with a small number of shortcomings

5 Excellent: successfully addresses all relevant aspects of the criterion; any shortcomings are minor

Application evaluation criteria 

• The research plan is thematically suitable to the themes.
• Quality of the research plan: clarity and novelty of the research objectives, suitability of the methodology, impact of the research and the potential for scientific renewal, ethical aspect (if applicable).
• Feasibility of the research plan: realistic achievability of the objectives (including target time), quality of the workplan, risks and their mitigation plan.
• Study and intersectoral mobility plan: preliminary plan for studies and mobility which supports the dissertation and career development.
• Competence of the applicant: relevant experience, skills and competences of the applicants as demonstrated in the curriculum vitae and motivation letter. 

Interview evaluation criteria  

• Ability of the applicant to present the proposed project and answer questions pertaining to it.
• Academic and professional alignment of the applicant to the available research options and compatibility of supervision. 

Documents Required for Application

• Europass CV
• Letter of Motivation and doctoral study plan
• Scanned copy of your degree certificate and transcript of records
• Proof of English language skills
• Research proposal, ethics self-assessment and intersectoral mobility plan

Check also:
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027
Chevening Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

• Applications must be submitted via the University of Helsinki online recruitment system only
• Due to restricted system access, applicants residing in Iran are kindly requested to contact [email protected] for instructions on submitting their application

Academic alignment interviews online will be carried out in October for shortlisted candidates. Applicants will be notified of the results by the end of November 2026.

Contact: [email protected]

You may also contact by phone + 358 29 412 4852 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 13:00 to 14:00 EET Finnish time

For more information, kindly visit University of Helsinki webpage.