Turku Institute for Advanced Studies (TIAS) invites applications for four (4) Postdoctoral Fellow (Postdoctoral Researcher) positions for a three-year period starting from 1 September 2027.
TIAS Fellows are selected via an international call for applications and TIAS welcomes applications from projects based in any discipline within its five constituent faculties (Economics, Education, Humanities, Law and Social Sciences). Selection of successful applicants will be on the basis of academic excellence.
Job description
The main task of TIAS Fellows is to carry out an internationally excellent research project over a three year period, during which the results of the project should be disseminated in a number of ways. Fellows are also required to contribute to the intellectual life of the Institute via such things as attending and presenting at TIAS meetings, organising TIAS events and cross disciplinary working with their co-Fellows.
The positions are located at one of the campuses of the University of Turku and successful candidates are required to be resident in Finland. In addition to TIAS meetings, Fellows are expected to attend the campus regularly. TIAS Fellows are located in departments which act as hosts to the research. Selected applicants will benefit from being hosted within departments in the University’s faculties, while also being part of the vibrant TIAS research community.
Who we are looking for
Postdoctoral Fellow is defined as being within five (5) years of applicants having passed their PhD. Applicants must have successfully completed their doctoral degree (including public defence/viva) by the end of the application period.
Successful candidates are requested to demonstrate engagement in international academic networks and must provide evidence of their ability to work in a research environment of high international standard.
TIAS supports the research priorities of the University of Turku and applicants should identify both the department within which they wish to be located and outline relevant areas of the department’s research interests which align with their own. Applicants must also outline how their work relates to one or more of the multidisciplinary themes and areas of strength of the University of Turku and why they particularly wish to be part of the TIAS community.
Selection of successful applicants will be on the basis of academic excellence. External Reviewers are asked to rank, from 1–6, the following: (i) applicants’ previous academic achievements relative to their career stage, (ii) quality of the research plan and feasibility of the research given the three years’ time limit, (iii) theoretical and methodological framework of the research, (iv) evaluation of the proposed publications and outputs, and (v) an overall assessment. Reviewers are also asked to comment on any ethical issues around the proposed research. Based on the external evaluations, the TIAS Board of Management makes final decisions on the successful applicants.
Benefits
TIAS is a research collegium which supports the bottom-up development of excellent early- and mid- career stage academics through the provision of three years of funding, enabling them to carry out self-designed research projects.
TIAS Fellows have limited work obligations beyond conducting research. All TIAS Fellows have the opportunity to contribute to teaching activities at the University of Turku. Such contributions will make up a maximum of 5 % of a Fellow’s annual work load of 1612 hours. In addition, they may devote another 5 % of their total working time to other academic and administration duties.
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Salary and trial period
TIAS Fellows’ salaries are determined in accordance with the university salary system for teaching and research personnel. The salary for Postdoctoral Researcher positions corresponds to a requirement level 5 and the pre-estimated personal performance percentage of 17% (current gross salary 3 938 €/month). Progress in the researcher's personal performance can be taken into account when determining the salary during employment.
The position has a trial period of six months.
How to apply
Please read first carefully the detailed instructions and guidance for applicants including information about the required application documents.
Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 13 November 2026 (16:00 Finnish time, GMT/UTC +2).
Further information
For more information on TIAS please see the TIAS website.
An information session for applicants will be held online on Monday 28 September 2026 between 14.00 and 16.00 Finnish time (GMT/UTC +3). Please note that the information session covers both TIAS Call for Postdoctoral and Collegium Fellow positions and TIES2 MSCA COFUND Fellowship Call. The TIAS Director will introduce the Calls, explain the applications and reviews process and answer questions. A recording/Powerpoint slides of this will be placed online. Please sign up to the information session in order to get the online meeting link.
Further questions about the Call may also be addressed to tias@utu.fi.
Turku Institute for Advanced Studies (TIAS)
Turku Institute for Advanced Studies (TIAS) promotes cutting-edge university research in humanities and social sciences. It is a joint enterprise between the faculties of Humanities, Education, Social Sciences and Law and Turku School of Economics, founded in 2008. TIAS aims to establish a community of interdisciplinary researchers dedicated to research excellence.
The University of Turku is an inspiring and international academic community of 25,000 students and staff in Southwest Finland. We build a sustainable future with multidisciplinary research, education, and collaboration. With us, your work will have a significant impact and relevance in the changing world.
