TIES2 Postdoctoral Researcher: Up to 10 positions

The Turku Intersectoral Excellence Scheme 2 (TIES2) is jointly funded by the European Union’s Marie Skłodowska Curie-actions (MSCA) COFUND programme and the University of Turku. It is located within the University’s Turku Institute for Advanced Studies (TIAS), 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 invites applications for up to ten (10) TIES2 Fellowship positions (Senior Researcher) for a three-year period starting from 1 September 2026. TIES2 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

TIES2 has been developed in order to enhance TIAS’ provisions by offering a special opportunity for outstanding researchers to undertake a three-year research project of their own design which must directly concern at least one non-higher education sector organisation of the applicant’s choosing.

The main task of TIES2 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. A particular aspect of the TIES2 programme is that all its Fellows must spend between three and twelve months working on secondment within an organisation external to the higher education sector on a project which is a key part of their TIES2 project. Fellows will continue to receive their salary from the University of Turku for the duration of their secondment.

In addition, TIES2 Fellows are also required to contribute to TIAS’ interdisciplinary intellectual life. This includes an obligation to attend regular TIAS meetings and events and to make contributions to the academic and social life of the Institute.

The positions are located at one of the campuses of the University of Turku and successful candidates are required to be resident in Finland. Applicants must meet the MSCA mobility rule that they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Finland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline.

Who we are looking for

Applicants must have completed their doctoral degree by the call deadline. They must have gained their doctoral degree a maximum of eight (8) years before the call deadline. Applicants are also expected to have attained other academic achievements.

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.

In their motivation letter, applicants should state how their work supplements existing work at the University, identifying both the department within which they wish to be located and relevant areas of the department’s research interests which align with their own. Please note that it is not necessary for applicants to contact departments or staff members.

Applicants should outline why they particularly wish to be part of the TIES2 programme, and briefly outline any non-research-oriented training needs which they have and how they propose to address these during the fellowship. Applicants should also outline how their work relates to one or more of the multidisciplinary themes and areas of strength of the University of Turku.

TIES2 applicants are expected to abide by the University of Turku's policies on research ethics, and equality and non-discrimination, as well as the principles of Open Science of the University of Turku and Horizon Europe.

Evaluation of applications

In the evaluation of the project plan, the key issue for the evaluation is academic quality. TIES2 reviewers are also encouraged to take into account the potential for groundbreaking research within its field, documented international collaboration, potential to enhance the applicant’s professional growth and relevance of planned secondments. The focus is on evaluating scientific quality based on three key criteria: 1) excellence, 2) impact, and 3) quality and efficiency of implementation. Reviewers are also asked to comment on any ethical issues around the proposed research. Based on the external evaluations, the TIES2 Selection Committee makes final decisions on the successful applicants.

Benefits

TIES 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 work time to other academic and administration duties.

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The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research quality label. The label is a token of the University's commitment to continuous development of the position and working conditions of researchers according to the guidelines set forth in the European Charter for Researchers. 

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Salary and trial period

The salaries of TIES Fellows are determined within the university salary system for teaching and research personnel. The salary for a TIES Fellow corresponds to a requirement level 6 and the pre-estimated personal performance percentage of 17 % (current gross salary €4,494 per month), and is subject to yearly increases.

In addition, all Fellows are granted with a mobility allowance of around €100/month, meant for personal mobility costs. Family allowance of around €100/month will be provided for Fellows who are eligible. Mobility and family allowances are considered part of the salary and are therefore taxable income as well as the salary. TIES Fellows will also be eligible to receive funding for travel costs, research cost, training costs and opportunities for innovation funding.

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 application documents.

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 9 January 2026 (16:00 Finnish time, GMT +2).

Further information

For more information on TIAS and the TIES programme please see the TIAS website.

An information session for applicants will be held online on Tuesday 9 December 2025 between 14.00 and 16.00 EET (GMT +2). The TIAS Director will introduce the Call, 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 TIES programme may also be addressed to ties@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.