Doctoral student arkistot - Page 7 of 14

Requirements of doctoral studies and study plan

Personal study plan

Your doctoral studies will be specified in the personal study plan (PSP). The PSP must be created within three months after receiving the right to study. Create the plan in co-operation with your main supervisor in Peppi system or by using the doctoral study plan -form, depending on the instructions of your own doctoral programme.

The personal study plan must follow the requirements of your doctoral programme. You can find the requirements from the drop-down menu below. In the PSP, the doctoral studies must be specified on a level of individual courses. When creating a PSP, you should consider your previous education as well as the theme and methodology of your dissertation.

You may also consider your career goals when making your PSP. Those doctoral researchers who aim for an academic career benefit from, for example, strengthening their competencies in research methods and supervision. Business and leadership skills are particularly useful for those who plan a career within the R&D-sector. Project management skills and communication competence are useful for everyone. Discuss your goals with others and your main supervisor.

You can update the plan during your doctoral studies. Before you start the preparation to submit your dissertation for pre-examination, please make sure that your completed coursework matches your accepted personal study plan.

Requirements of doctoral studies

For a doctoral degree, you must complete 30 credits of studies that include discipline-specific studies and transferable skills courses. Please see further details below.

Doctoral Programme of the Philosophical Faculty

Studies Required for the Doctoral Degree

The doctoral studies comprise at least 30 ECTS of studies, including researcher's transferable skills studies (5–10 ECTS) and studies in the discipline and field of research (20–25 ECTS), and a doctoral dissertation. Information about the study requirements and the curriculum can be found in the Peppi study guide.

If a doctoral researcher has previously completed a licentiate degree in his/her current subject or a neighbouring discipline or a doctorate in a neighbouring discipline, the 30 ECTS studies are, in most cases, not required.

Change of the Target Degree or Major Subject

Doctoral researchers can apply for a change of major subject or target degree within the doctoral programme and faculty using a separate form. The application must be accompanied by a new research plan, supervisors' consents and certificates of previous studies. When processing the application, it is checked whether the applicant's background studies are suitable for the new major. The applicant must have completed 30 ECTS credits of studies in the major subject of the doctoral degree or an applicable related subject. Changes to the right to study are granted by decision of the Dean. If a doctoral researcher is granted a completely new right to study, e.g. when the field of study changes, the old right to study is terminated by the same decision. If the organizational unit of the right to study changes within the faculty, this is also recorded in the dean's decision. Apply for a change of the target degree or the major subject within the doctoral programme with this form.

If a doctoral researcher wishes to change faculty, he or she must apply for the right to study again. In that case, the old right to study will be terminated when the new one begins.

A doctoral researcher may only have one valid right to study at the University of Eastern Finland leading to a degree of the same level at a time (Education Regulations, Section 14). A doctoral researcher may renounce the right to study by notifying the university in writing (Education Regulations, Section 15). Further information on the renouncement of the right to study is available on Kamu.

Doctoral Programme in Science, Forestry and Technology (LUMETO)

Doctoral studies consist of at least 30 ECTS of studies, including transferable skills studies (5–10 ECTS) and studies in the discipline and field of research (20–25 ECTS). The aim is that full-time doctoral researchers complete the required studies primarily during the first two years and submit their dissertations for preliminary examination within three years of receiving the doctoral study right at University of Eastern Finland.

More information about the courses and course descriptions can be found in UEF Study Guide in Peppi.

Transferable skills studies (5–10 ECTS)

UEF Researcher Training Services provides transferable skills studies for all doctoral researchers in collaboration with the UEF Library and UEF Language Centre. The transferable skills studies include courses related to research skills, language and communication skills, research management and career skills. The LUMETO doctoral programme recommends open science studies and studies that support the writing of funding applications and/or research project management to be included in the personal study plan in addition to the compulsory transferable skills studies. In addition, the transferable skills studies may include other courses that promote working life skills (incl. language and communication studies) available at University of Eastern Finland.

Compulsory transferable skills studies in the LUMETO doctoral programme:

Research Ethics – Principles and Practices (2 ECTS)
- Research Ethics (1 ECTS) completed before 1 August 2025 meets the requirements of the compulsory research ethics course
Copyediting Research Writing (2 ECTS) or a corresponding course in scientific writing

Optional transferable skills studies in the doctoral programme:

Writing research grant proposals LUMET and TT (2 ECTS)
Transferable skills studies offered by the UEF Researcher Training Services
The main supervisor or the UEF supervisor responsible for doctoral studies may also accept other studies that promote working life skills (incl: language and communication studies) available at University of Eastern Finland to be included in the optional transferable skills studies of the doctoral researcher.

Studies in the discipline and field of research (20–25 ECTS)

Studies in the discipline and field of research include courses that support research and are mainly at the level of advanced studies. The main supervisor or the UEF supervisor responsible for doctoral studies assesses the suitability of the courses for doctoral studies. In the LUMETO doctoral programme, courses organised by other faculties and doctoral programmes as well as other studies that support the research work (e.g. summer schools and seminars) may be accepted for studies in the discipline and field of research. In addition, suitable courses organised by other Finnish and foreign higher education institutions or networks (e.g. YUFE) may be included in the studies in the discipline and field of research.

Compulsory studies in the discipline and field of research:

Compulsory studies in the discipline and field of research include a discipline-specific research seminar (2 ECTS, in Computer Science 1-5 ECTS). The completion of a research seminar typically includes a scientific presentation related to one’s own doctoral research as well as following the presentations of other doctoral researchers in accordance with the requirements of each department/school. Research seminars are organised annually.

Optional studies in the discipline and field of research:

Participation in international scientific conferences may be included in studies in the discipline and field of research, provided that the doctoral researcher has prepared a poster for the conference or given an oral presentation there. One presentation (poster or oral presentation) can be credited 1 ECTS, and scientific conferences a maximum of 3 ECTS in total.
Examinations in scientific literature or theory of science and scientific methodology in the field of a doctoral dissertation or licentiate thesis may be accepted for studies in the discipline and field of research. The methods of completion are essay/essays or book exam. The method of completion, the topic and scope of the essay and the book to be included in the exam must be agreed upon with the main supervisor or the UEF supervisor responsible for doctoral studies. A total of 1–5 ECTS can be obtained from the scientific literature or the theory of science and scientific methodology.
Courses offered by departments and schools
Doctoral courses in Finland
YUFE courses

Personal study plan for doctoral researchers

The doctoral researcher must draw up a personal study plan in cooperation with the main supervisor of the dissertation. If the main supervisor is not employed by the University of Eastern Finland, the UEF supervisor is responsible for the study plan and matters related to doctoral studies. If there are several UEF supervisors, it must be agreed which of them is responsible. The doctoral researcher’s personal study plan must follow the study requirements of the doctoral programme. The main supervisor or the UEF supervisor responsible for doctoral studies approves and signs the personal study plan. The personal study plan must be submitted to the contact person of the discipline within three (3) months of the start of the doctoral study right in the doctoral programme. In the LUMETO doctoral programme the personal study plan is prepared using a Webropol form.

As graduation approaches, the eligibility of completed doctoral studies must be reviewed by the contact person of the discipline and the personal study plan must be updated to correspond with the completed courses, if there have been any changes to them. It is recommended to check the personal study plan when the dissertation is submitted for preliminary examination, at the latest.

Recognition of prior learning

The teaching unit at University of Eastern Finland in which a study attainment is completed shall decide on the recognition of prior learning as well as the expiry of previous studies. The decision on the recognition of studies completed elsewhere for doctoral studies is made by the main supervisor or the UEF supervisor responsible for doctoral studies. Credit transfer requires that prior studies or otherwise acquired competence correspond to the learning outcomes set for the doctoral degree and its parts (Education Regulations, Section 38). The UEF Language Centre does not grant credit transfers for the doctoral courses it organizes, similarly, the doctoral dissertation or licentiate thesis cannot be transferred. In addition, courses cannot be transferred from a degree that has given eligibility to apply. Further information on the recognition of prior learning is available on UEF Intra (UEF credentials are needed).

Transitional provisions

A doctoral researcher who has been granted the doctoral study right at the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology before 1 August 2023 can complete their degree according to the study requirements of the Doctoral Programme in Environmental Physics, Health and Biology (EPHB), Forests and Forest Bioresources (FORES), and the Doctoral Programme in Science, Technology and Computing (SCITECO) or older doctoral programmes until 31 July 2027 or transfer to complete their degree in accordance with the study requirements of the LUMETO doctoral programme. If the doctoral studies have been completed and the study modules (transferable skills studies and studies in the discipline and field of research) have been compiled and locked in the student and study register before 31 July 2027, they will remain valid even if the degree is still in progress. Study attainments planned for the personal study plan that have not been recorded in the student and study register by 31 July 2023 will no longer be accepted as study attainments if they are no longer acceptable in the study requirements that entered into force on 1 August 2023.

The degree of Doctor of Science (Technology) or Licentiate of Science (Technology) can only be completed in accordance with the study requirements of the LUMETO doctoral programme. The study requirements of the previous doctoral programmes (i.e. EPHB, FORES and SCITECO or older doctoral programmes) cannot be applied to the target degrees in the field of technology.

Changing target degree and major subject

A doctoral researcher can apply for a change of major subject and/or target degree within the Faculty’s doctoral programme using the Webropol form. An application for a change of major subject and/or target degree must be submitted no later than before submitting the doctoral dissertation for preliminary examination, and the application must be accompanied by the consent of the main supervisor or the UEF supervisor responsible for doctoral studies. Any change in the major subject and/or target degree and any change in the Faculty unit (school or department) is confirmed by a Dean’s decision. Changing the major subject and/or target degree replaces the previous right to study and requires that the degree is completed in accordance with the study requirements of the Doctoral Programme in Science, Forestry and Technology (LUMETO).

If a change in the major subject and/or target degree requires a change of faculty, the doctoral researcher must apply for a new right to study in accordance with the application instructions and application deadlines of the doctoral programme in question. A doctoral researcher may only have one valid right to study at the University of Eastern Finland leading to a degree of the same level at a time (Education Regulations, Section 14). A doctoral researcher may renounce the right to study by notifying the university in writing (Education Regulations, Section 15). Further information on the renouncement of the right to study is available on Kamu.

Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research (DPCR)

Degree requirements and structure

In order to get the post graduate degree, studies defined in the degree structure (transferable skills studies and studies in the discipline and field of research) and an approved thesis are required. You must obtain altogether 30 ECTS of which

5- 15 ECTS Transferable skills studies, and
15-25 ECTS Studies in the discipline and field of research

You can find information about the studies and study requirements in the doctoral programme's study guide under the 'Show description' tab.

The balance between transferable skills studies and discipline- and research field-specific studies shall be determined collaboratively by the doctoral researcher and the supervisors during the preparation of the personal study plan. This balance is informed by the researcher’s prior educational background and the research plan. The personal study plan has to be submitted to the Faculty of health Sciences within 3 months from the admission date by electronic form. Please remember to update your personal study plan during your studies if any changes occur. However, the final PSP, which corresponds to your completed studies, must be submitted before graduation.

Studies

All credit registration requests, with the exception of doctoral courses organised by UEF, are registered using the Webropol form.

Following postgraduate courses are recommended for the students of Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research:

Introduction to Clinical Research, 1 ECTS
Basic Course of Clinical Research Practices, 5 ECTS
Introduction to Research Ethics Evaluation, 2 ECTS
Research Ethics, 1 ECTS

Courses in discipline and field of research

Subject specific and studies in supporting disciplines must cover information relevant for the research project in question. The amount of studies in different fields included in the studies depends on the research topic and the student’s postgraduate study aims. However, the scope of subject-related postgraduate studies must be sufficiently wide.

Courses of the co-operative networks

You can also include courses offered by NorDoc- network in your doctoral studies.

Transferable Skills Studies

More information about researcher's transferable skills courses can be found on the study guide.

Change in target degree, doctoral programme or major

If you need to change the target degree, the doctoral programme, or the major, you can do it by filling in the following forms.

Form for changing the target degree (docx)
Form for changing the doctoral programme or the major (docx)

Doctoral Programme in Drug Research (DPDR)

Degree requirements and structure

You must obtain altogether 30 ECTS of which

5- 10 ECTS Transferable skills studies, and
20-25 ECTS Studies in the discipline and field of research

You can find information about the studies and study requirements in the doctoral programme's study guide under the 'Show description' tab.

The balance between transferable skills studies and discipline- and research field-specific studies shall be determined collaboratively by the doctoral researcher and the supervisors during the preparation of the personal study plan. This balance is informed by the researcher’s prior educational background and the research plan. The personal study plan has to be submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences within 3 months from the admission date by electronic form. Please remember to update your personal study plan during your studies if any changes occur. However, the final PSP, which corresponds to your completed studies, must be submitted before graduation.

Studies

All credit registration requests, with the exception of doctoral courses organised by UEF, are registered using the Webropol form.

Research Ethics and Practices -course (2 ECTS) is mandatory course for all doctoral researchers who are granted the study right for doctoral studies in the Doctoral Programme in Drug Research on 1.8.2024 or after.

Following post graduate courses are recommended for the students of Doctoral Programme in Drug research:

Entrance examination (5 ECTS), 4212111, to be completed within six months after granting of the PhD study right
Defense of the research plan (3 ECTS), 4212112, must be completed by the end of the third year of studies
- Instructions (word document)
- Evaluation form for the board members (word document)

Courses in discipline and field of research

Courses of the co-operative networks

You can also include

in the doctoral studies.

Transferable Skills Studies

More information about researcher's transferable skills courses can be found in study guide.

Change of target degree, doctoral programme or major

If you need to change the target degree, the doctoral programme, or the major, you can do it by filling in the following forms.

Form for changing the target degree (docx)
Form for changing the doctoral programme or the major (docx)

Doctoral Programme in Molecular Medicine (DPMM)

Degree requirements and structure

You must obtain altogether 30 ECTS of which

5- 15 ECTS Transferable skills studies, and
15-25 ECTS Studies in the discipline and field of research

You can find information about the studies and study requirements in the doctoral programme's study guide under the 'Show description' tab.

The balance of transferable skills courses and discipline and field of research doctoral studies shall be determined jointly by the doctoral researcher and the supervisors at the time when the personal study plan is being prepared and depends on the researcher's educational background and research plan. The personal study plan has to be submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences within 3 months from the admission date by electronic form. Please remember to update your personal study plan during your studies if any changes occur. However, the final PSP, which corresponds to your completed studies, must be submitted before graduation.

Studies

All credit registration requests, with the exception of doctoral courses organised by UEF, are registered using the Webropol form.

Research Ethics and Practices -course (2 ECTS) is mandatory course for all doctoral researchers who have been granted the study right for doctoral studies in the Doctoral Programme in Molecular Medicine on 1.8.2024 or after.

Courses in discipline and field of research

Courses of the co-operative networks

You can also include courses offered by NorDoc- network in your doctoral studies.

Transferable Skills Studies

More information about researcher's transferable skills courses can be found from the study guide.

Change of target degree, doctoral programme or major

If you need to change the target degree, the doctoral programme, or the major, you can do it by filling in the following forms.

Form for changing the target degree (docx)
Form for changing the doctoral programme or the major (docx)

Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences (DPHS)

Degree requirements and structure

Doctoral researchers who were granted the right to pursue doctoral studies before 1 August 2015 must complete their degree according to either the 2015–2016 curriculum or the curriculum in effect at the time.
Doctoral researchers who were granted the right to pursue doctoral studies before 1 August 2023 may complete their degree according to the previous 40 ECTS structure or transfer to the current 30 ECTS structure. If a doctoral researcher chooses to transfer to the current 30 ECTS structure, they must complete the compulsory courses included in that structure.
The degree structure can be changed by updating the personal study plan.

If you complete your degree according to the structure of 30 ECTS, you must complete your studies as follows:

5- 15 ECTS Transferable skills studies, and
15-25 ECTS Studies in the discipline and field of research

If you complete your degree according to the structure of 40 ECTS, you must complete studies as follows:

5- 15 ECTS Transferable skills studies, and
25-35 ECTS Studies in the discipline and field of research

You can find information about the studies and study requirements in the doctoral programme's study guide under the 'Show description' tab.

The balance of transferable skills courses and discipline and field of research doctoral studies shall be determined jointly by the doctoral researcher and the supervisors at the time when the personal study plan is being prepared and depends on the researcher's educational background and research plan. The personal post graduate study plan has to be submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences within 3 months of the admission date by electronic form. Please remember to update your personal study plan during your studies if any changes occur. However, the final PSP, which corresponds to your completed studies, must be submitted before graduation.

Studies

All credit registration requests, with the exception of doctoral courses organised by UEF, are registered using the Webropol form.

Following courses are obligatory for the students of Doctoral programme in Health sciences:

Transferable skills studies:

Research Ethics - Principles and Practices (2 ECTS)
Orientation - First 100 Days (1 ECTS)

Studies in the discipline and field of research:

Doctoral Seminars in Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences – Genius (2 ECTS)

Courses in discipline and field of research

Courses of the co-operative networks

You can also include

Transferable Skills Studies

More information about researcher's transferable skills courses can be found from the study guide.

Change of target degree, doctoral programme or major

If you need to change the target degree, the doctoral programme, or the major, you can do it by filling in the following forms.

Form for changing the target degree (docx)
Form for changing the doctoral programme or the major (docx)

Doctoral Programme of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies

Studies required for the doctoral degree
The doctoral studies comprise at least 30 ECTS, of studies in research and professional skills as well as a doctoral dissertation. Information about the study requirements and the curriculum can be found in the Peppi.

If a doctoral researcher has previously completed a licentiate degree in their current subject or a neighbouring discipline or a doctorate in a neighbouring discipline, studies in research and professional skills are, in most cases, not required. If necessary, the they may be expected to complete supplementary studies as specified in the curriculum of the doctoral programme.

Choice and change of the target degree
The degree is chosen by the student either when applying for or during doctoral studies (change of the target degree). It is possible to change the degree; however, at the latest, before submitting a doctoral dissertation for pre-examination.

Apply for change of the target degree with the form available in Kamu: Form for changing the target degree (docx)

Change of the major within a doctoral programme
A doctoral researcher can change their major within a doctoral programme using a separate form. A new research plan, commitments of supervisors and certificates of previous studies must be attached to the application. The new study right will be granted on the decision of the Dean and, under the same decision, the old study right will be revoked.

Apply for change of the doctoral programme or the major with the form available in Kamu: Form for changing the doctoral programme or the major (docx)

Researcher’s transferable skills studies

The UEF Reseacher Training Services offers in co-operation with the Library and the Language Centre a study module in transferable skills. The courses are offered to all doctoral researchers at UEF. The aim of the transferable skills courses is that the doctoral researcher

familiarises themself with the theory and philosophy of science and research ethics, and assumes a good scientific practice,
is able to plan and manage a scientific research project, including problematisation, methods, resources and scheduling,
acquires good communication skills: general and scientific oral and writing skills, and the popularisation of science,
learns management and teamwork skills, and
can educate and guide others, and is able to work in various expert tasks.

Teaching

Courses are mainly organised online, but some courses may have individual contact days. In addition, most courses that are taught entirely online are time-bound and may include online meetings.

Doctoral study courses are largely based on independence and taking initiative. Traditional lectures are rare, and the teaching materials are offered in the form of videos and written materials for independent study. Most courses include group work and individual assignments.

Courses usually reside on the Moodle platform. The teacher provides a link to the course site when the course begins. Zoom and Teams are also often used as teaching platforms.

Curriculum of transferable skills

The curriculum includes courses in researchers’ skills, communication skills, research management skills, and career skills. The majority of courses are held online but some may contain single on-campus dates / on-campus days. Most online courses are time-bound and may include online lectures or workshops.

The study plan, more information about the courses and course timetables can be found in Peppi. Instructions on how to register for the courses can be found in Registration for Course Implementions in Peppi Handbook. Registration usually ends a few days before the beginning of the course, after which the teacher accepts students for the course and sends more information on the practical matters.

More information: Merja Lyytikäinen

Other courses and training

In addition to studies in individual doctoral programmes and transferable skills studies provided by the Researcher Training Services, you can take other courses and studies that are useful for your research and career. The university also offers various kinds of short-term training, which does earn you credit points.

Courses on writing research funding applications

There are faculty-specific courses available on writing research funding applications:

Philosophical Faculty and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies: 5012030 How to write a successful research grant proposal is organised in cooperation once a year.
Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology: 3010502 Writing research grant proposals is organised annually.
Faculty of Health Sciences: 4018104 Writing grant applications in health sciences is organised annually.

University pedagogy

The university pedagogy studies consist of 25 ECTS of basic studies and 35 ECTS of intermediate studies. Basic studies can be studied without an aptitude test, and individual study courses can also be attended. Two courses (altogether 10 ECTS) are offered in English from the basic studies in university pedagogy. Student must have the study right in Peppi before they can register for the course units. To get the study right, a person must be in an employment relationship at UEF and have teaching or supervisory responsibilities. More information about the university pedagogic studies can be found in Intra (requires UEF login).

Statistics

Courses in statistics are offered to all doctoral researchers. You can also select individual courses useful for your research, e.g. courses about using statistical software R or SPSS. Some of the courses can be taken online at your own pace. The statisticians at the UEF offer consultation on matters of statistical methods and their rightful use. More information about the courses and consultation services on SPSS and statistics– page in Kamu.

Business studies

If you are interested in business studies and entrepreneurship, you can also select the following courses provided by UEF Business School:

Business Draft (5 ECTS)
Commercializing one’s knowhow (2 ECTS)
Business Simulation Game (6 ECTS)
Commercializing high-tech, like photonics (6 ECTS)
SLUSH – star-ups, growth and innovativeness (2 ECTS)
Entrepreneurial Project Work (1-6 ECTS)
Entrepreneurship Week (2 ECTS)

Language studies

UEF Language Centre offers courses in Finnish as a second language:

Finnish 1A (2 ECTS, for international exchange students)
Finnish 1B (2 ECTS, for international exchange students)
Finnish 2A (2 ECTS)
Finnish 2B (2 ECTS)
Finnish 3 (4 ECTS)
Finnish 4 (4 ECTS)
Finnish 5 (4 ECTS)

In addition, optional language courses offered with English as the language of tuition.

3. Chinese 1 (4 ECTS)
Chinese 2 (4 ECTS)
Chinese Culture and Social Customs (2 ECTS)

Read more about language offers to doctoral researchers in Language Centre’s study community!

Short-term trainings

UEF Library offers training for example on data management, visibility and impact of your research, open data, and publishing of a dissertation. You can find the training menu as well as more information about the courses on the public webpages.

eLearning Support Services (Oppitupa) provide and use support and pedagogical training on in the use of ICT and social media.

Staff trainings provided by University can be found in staff training calendar (requires UEF login). In trainings with limited seats, members of staff are prioritized, but if there is room, also grant researchers are welcome to join.

Conferences and seminars

Conferences and seminars offer an opportunity to meet international colleagues, learn about their research and introduce your own research results.

Experiences and knowledge of your supervisors and peers are valuable when looking for a proper conference. Information about upcoming conferences can be also found, for example, in Pivot RP database, where you can login using UEF credentials. It is worth investigating the conference background information carefully, since the so-called predatory phenomenon has extended to this field as well. Predators may advertise non-existent conferences.

Many foundations, as well as some faculties and department, grant funds for traveling. Read more about travel grants in Kamu.

English for research presentations course

Language Centre organises English for research presentations course which aims at developing your skills in presenting your research as well as other communicative skills.

Accessible UEF templates

UEF has its own poster and Power Point templates that follow UEF’s visual identity to be used in scientific conferences.

Posters

Poster templates in different sizes, as well as tips for preparing a poster and instructions for ordering it, are available in UEF Intra (requires UEF login).

If you use another poster template, you can upload UEF logo in UEF’s media bank. Please note that you must always use UEF logo in your presentations.

Power Point

When preparing a lecture or other oral presentations you can find accessible UEF Power Point templates in UEF Intra (requires UEF login).

Research exchange

Research is mostly international in its nature, and it is useful to get to know the international research groups of your own field. You should negotiate potential research exchange with your supervisors. They can also help you find suitable contacts.

Below you can find information about potential exchange programmes. Many foundations also award grants for self-organised internationalisation. You can search for potential funders in Pivot RP database (requires UEF login) or research.fi database.

Erasmus+

Doctoral researchers without an employment relationship with the university can apply for an Erasmus+ student exchange or Erasmus+ traineeship grant. All staff members of UEF, regardless of their citizenship, can participate in Erasmus+ staff exchange or Erasmus+ teacher exchange (requires UEF login).

Research Council of Finland: International researcher mobility based on bilateral agreements

Research Council of Finland has several bilateral partnership agreements with research funding bodies both within and outside the EU. Depending on the terms of the agreement, this cooperation can involve either project or mobility funding and, in some cases, also assistance for co-hosting research seminars.

Cotutelle double degree

Cotutelle agreement gives you the opportunity to graduate simultaneously from the UEF and a foreign university. This is practical, for example, if your research topic is international in its nature, and/or if your supervisor works in a foreign university.

The studies and the degree are carried out at both universities according to their criteria. Additionally, the dissertation must comply with the criteria of the both universities. Procedures related to, for example, supervision, pre-examination, or grading are agreed upon in the Cotutelle agreement.

For more information: Kaisa Laitinen

Information for new staff members

If you have been employed as a new member of staff, you will obtain information on employment relationship matters, for example:

Guide for international staff
New staff orientations events organised every academic term (requires UEF login)
Personnel arriving from abroad (requires UEF login)
New employee quick start guide (requires UEF login)
10 steps to become UEFian (requires UEF login)

In the salary system for universities (YPJ), doctoral researchers reside on requirement levels 2–4. Learn more about evaluation of job requirements in intranet (requires UEF login). A trial period is applied to all new members of the staff.

If you work in the laboratory, familiarise yourself also with occupational exposure and laboratory safety instructions in intranet (requires UEF login).

It is the duty of the head of department/unit or the employee´s supervisor to take care of introducing a new employee to their job and to appoint a person responsible for their induction.

Information for grant-funded researchers

A research grant means a fund provided for promoting work in the fields of art and science for a period from a month to three years. Grants can be also provided for participation in conferences and towards publication costs. Working grants given by foundations are usually rather equal in amount.

Typical features:

grants are awarded based on the proposals received in a publicly open call
grants are gratuitous, that is, they do not include any obligations, and research conducted with a grant must be self-contained
the awardee does not have an employment relationship with the awarder, and the grant is not a remuneration for the work

A grant enables full-time research and the main activity during the grant period should be the activity the grant was originally applied for. Anyhow, a small-scale side jobs are allowed. For example, during a whole year research funding period of the Finnish Cultural foundation one can have side jobs for a maximum 25% of the working time. A person may have several grants at the same time, for example personal work grants awarded by different foundations. With regard to taxation, the grant recipient is self responsible for possibly exceeding the withholding tax limit.

Applying for grants

Where to apply for grants?

Funding opportunities of foundations can be found from the Intra sites of UEF. Current funding opportunities are informed on UEF´s Viva Engage site of research funding, so join also this group when joining the Viva Engage groups linked to your own research field at the beginning of your doctoral studies. The Association of Finnish Foundations offers a lot of information about foundation funding opportunities, but also about other things connected to the position of a grant researcher, such as taxation. Extensive foundation funding opportunities can be found from Research.fi database, where one can search for foundations by research field. Pivot RP database offers knowledge on both domestic and international funding possibilities for researchers. At UEF Intra, You can find information on how to use the database as well as a list on suitable funding possibilities for doctoral researchers. Primarily ask your supervisor about the funding opportunities suitable for your research.

The research plan is the basis of grant application

Writing a good research plan is extremely important especially in the beginning of doctoral studies. With a research plan one applies for the doctoral study right, doctoral researchers salaried positions, as well as research grants. Research plan should be updated every now and then as the research work proceeds. The first research plan is usually written with the help of one's supervisor.

Philosophical Faculty and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies organize a course “How to write a successful research plan” twice a year. Also the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology and the Faculty of Health Sciences organize a course “Writing a grant application” annually. Learn more about the courses on page Other courses and training.

Tips for grant applicants

Read the call for applications and instructions carefully. Don´t apply funding from all the foundations, but instead concentrate on the ones usually funding your field of research and from calls that best fit your research interests. Prepare the application carefully in order to fit the call as well as possible and if needed, adjust the research plan to meet the criteria and goals of the foundation.
Adhere to the instructions and deadlines given. These are often unnegotiable. Make sure you have all the necessary attachments well in advance.
If a letter of recommendation can be attached, ask for one from your supervisor in good time. Supervisors often have lots of letters of recommendation to write!
The reviewers often do not represent your specific research field. Therefore when writing your research and funding plan, be precise, concise and popular.
Update your CV, portfolio and list of publications. The CV model of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK) is generally used.
Be honest, realistic and optimistic. Do not underestimate your abilities, but do not make promises you cannot keep either. Many foundations appreciate brave thinking and doing on a large scale.

As a grant-funded researcher at the UEF

When working as a grant-funded researcher at the University of Eastern Finland, there are two types of agreements available depending on the time of the grant period. If you have received an external funding of at least 12 months, you'll have an opportunity to conclude a part-time (10%) contract of employment with the university. More information about 10% contract of employment in Kamu.

A grant-funded researcher agreement

The grant-funded researcher with a funding shorter than 12 months can conclude the grant-funded researcher´s agreement with university. The agreement is prepared in Mepco by a HR-person of the department. In the agreement, the researcher’s activities at the university, and the resources made available to him or her (e.g. the university’s equipment, facilities and other resources) are concluded. Also, potential compensation for the office and other resources recorded in the grant decision will be recorded in the agreement.

By signing the agreement, the grant-funded researcher agrees to

ensure insurance coverage or a corresponding procedure against the damages or accidents, which may occur, while operating at the university
take care of his or her own pension coverage
get to know the University’s safety instructions, regulations and other decisions relating to their activities
give a permission to save in the university’s register the data given by them, or obtained from the access control system
execute a separate agreement on the transfer of rights, if needed
notify of intellectual property rights created in other contexts than collaborative research projects and of other commercially valuable observations made using the university’s research materials or samples
publishing the research results, which have been created using the university’s research materials samples or other resources.

Information required to conclude the agreement:

name, social security number or date of birth, address of the grant-based researcher
name of the supervisor

The agreement gives you

the access rights assigned to the UEF user account. These include rights to O365-environment, e-mail address, right to use the library, rights to campus and Moodle logins.
a possibility to participate in staff training if there are vacancies. Trainings are, however, primarily targeted for members of staff.
a right to have lunch at staff prices at the campus restaurants by presenting a researchers’ lunch card signed by the department head (you can obtain the card from your department)
a right to use the university’s sports services by showing your grant researcher’s fitness card, which has a sticker to show that the payment has been made.

The difference between working on a grant and an employment relationship

A grant researcher is the manager of their own research

Many grant-funded researchers find academic freedom to be the best part of this form of work. The work or working time is not managed or monitored, but you are responsible for the proceeding of your work with the help of your supervisors. Anyhow, some foundations require reports about the proceeding of funded research periodically.

As a grant recipient, you are not in an employment relationship with the University of Eastern Finland, which means that you lack the obligations related to employment relationship. For example, the grant-funded researchers are not expected to participate in the administrative tasks of one's department nor teaching. The university may not require immediate benefits from research conducted with a grant or a scholarship, nor the rights to the results of such research.

On the other hand, grant-funded researchers often find it difficult to find their place in the work community. Having experience in teaching and good networks are important when pursuing an academic career. It is therefore recommended to proactively participate in the activities of one's department.

Also rights related to employment contract, such as occupational health services, are not available for grant-funded researchers.

The everyday life of a grant researcher is free, but it's important to take care of working routines and wellbeing. Some tips for that:

Workbook: Well-being at work for grant-funded researchers

Health care

Occupational health services are not available for those who work via a grant. Further, the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) does not offer its services to doctoral researchers.

As a grant researcher you are entitled to use public health care, if you have a municipality of residence (kotikunta) in Finland, if you have European Health Insurance Card, if you come from Australia or Quebeck, or if you are covered by statutory insurance. Through public health services you can access, for example, dental services, family health services, mental health services, vaccinations, and laboratory services.

Work involving exposure to physical, chemical or biological agents

If you work involves exposure to physical, chemical or biological agents, you must be included in the statutory health examination scheme. More information on occupational exposure and laboratory safety in Intra (requires UEF login).

Taxation, insurances and social security

Taxation

The grants awarded by private foundations are taxable only for the amount that exceeds the Finnish state artist grant, which varies almost annually. Information about maximum tax-exempt amounts of grants can be found on Taxation of grants, scholarships, awards for merit and other awards- webpage. If this limit is exceeded, you need to pay taxes. The Association of Finnish Foundations updates the annual threshold amount on their webpage and informs about the taxation of grant researchers, also giving tips for the most general problems about their taxation.

The Finnish tax administration receives information about paid grants directly from the foundations. Please note that when calculating taxes the first possible day to cash the grant is considered to be the starting date of your grant period. Therefore, when awarded several grants a year, please contact your local tax office. From Vero.fi webpage you can find more information and forms for report your grants, but also links to webinars meant for grant researchers. Also note that the rent of your working space and many materials, such as books, are tax-deductible.

Insurances

Grant-based researchers are responsible to take care of their pension and workplace accident insurances themselves. These are handled by the Farmer´s social insurance institution (Mela). Researcher with a working grant longer than 4 months is obliged to take out their statutory pension and workplace accident insurances. Also, researchers with a shorter funding period are allowed to seek for insurance from Mela. The insurance should be taken also when working abroad or you come from abroad to work in Finland.

Please note that the statutory insurance for grant researchers does not include insurance for leisure-time. Anyhow it's possible to take MATA-insurance for leisure-time from Mela. Membership of some unions, like the Union of Research Professionals, include leisure time insurance. Also, some foundations offer their own extra-insurances.

If you as a grant-based researcher cause the breakage of the university’s research equipment, if certain conditions are met, the university is compensated for the damage under the university’s property insurance. The university’s property insurance covers property, so it does not matter who causes the breakage. If the damage has been caused intentionally or negligently, your liability for damages is investigated separately, in which case compensation may also be sought under your liability insurance policy, if you have one. Grant-based researchers are not covered by the university’s liability insurance.

Unemployment and social security

A working grant usually blocks the unemployment benefits, but when it comes to travelling grants and small non-recurring grants, consideration may be used.
You may be entitled to Finnish social security coverage (e.g. child benefit, basic unemployment security, and sickness and parental allowances), if your residence in Finland is considered permanent and if your income is sufficiently high. You may also be entitled to apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which guarantees necessary medical treatment when you travel or stay temporarily in another EU or EEA country or in Switzerland. Read more about Kela benefits for incomers, social security coverage for researchers, and EHIC on Kela's webpages.

All grants are considered to be income when determining housing allowance and income support. A grant awarded for a dissertation will not be considered as income when determining the sum of day-care fees.

The amounts of maternity, paternity and parental allowances are determined on the basis of the most recent work income confirmed in taxation. If you have received a grant and been MyEL insured, maternity, paternity and parental allowances are determined according to the work income that formed its basis. If, however, the work income earned in the six months preceding the allowance has increased from the in-come confirmed in taxation, the allowance will be paid according to this more recent income. If you have had no work income, the minimum allowance will be paid. Read more about Kela benefits for families with children on Kela's webpage.

As a grant researcher you are entitled to an unemployment benefit if you have been MyEL insured altogether for 24 months during the previous 48 months. In addition, you are entitled to earnings-related allowance, if you are a member of an unemployment fund and have been a salaried employee at least for 26 weeks over the review period of 28 months before the start of the unemployment. The unemployment benefit can be granted if the grant term is demonstrably over and you are seeking fulltime employment. When you become unemployed after a grant term you can, however, maintain your competence (e.g. familiarise yourself with new tools and methods, apply for grants, network in conferences) without this affecting your entitlement to unemployment benefits.

Grants are not taken into account when determining the amount of earnings-related unemployment benefit. Grant terms are not accepted for the employment condition of earnings-related allowance, but they extend the review period of the employment condition, which is why it is not recommend to withdraw from the fund during grant-funded work.

When working abroad with a grant awarded by a Finnish organisation you may, if certain conditions are met, be covered by the Finnish social security system and it is not worthwhile for you to terminate trade union or unemployment fund membership when leaving Finland.

A doctoral researcher receiving a grant may be entitled to financial aid for students (study grants, housing supplements and state-guaranteed student loans). More information about eligibility to financial aid on Kela’s webpage.

More information

Check list for the grant recipients by The Finnish union of university researchers and teachers

Wellbeing of doctoral researchers

Conducting doctoral studies is interesting and intriguing. It is also challenging, and an engagement of several years. Research may not proceed well, and funding may cease leading to a need to obtain another job. Therefore, it is important to proactively take care of your well-being. The major stress factors according to an extensive (n=6000) international survey done by Nature are uncertainty of career prospects as well as difficulty to maintain a work–life balance.

Tools to support wellbeing

Social support from the supervisors and other members of academic community, intentional limitation of working hours as well stress management methods have been found as effective ways to prevent a burn out.

Therefore, take care of yourself:

reserve time for family and friends, hobbies, relaxation and sleep
exercise, learn more about UEF sport services
find a supporting academic society (e.g. Association of doctoral researchers, ItäVä or ISYY Student Organisation)

You can test your own psychosocial load using the Workload Assessment Tool created by The Centre for Occupational Safety.

Many handbooks have been written about doctoral research project. Read, for example, Rosie Doyle’s and Fraser Robertson’s The PhD Handbook: How to Take Care of Yourself, Your Research Project and Your Future (e-book, UEF library, requires UEF login).

You can also strengthen and maintain your well-being at work by completing the hands-on exercises of the Wellbeing at work for grant-funded researchers workbook by TJS Opintokeskus.

(Work) life crises

You can find information about help in crises in Kamu. NB! The services of a study psychologist are not available to doctoral researchers.

Support for difficult situations at work

All doctoral researchers at the University of Eastern Finland have the right to work in a safe and comfortable environment. Please familiarize yourself with the page Support in difficult situations.

Refine your search

Personal study plan

Requirements of doctoral studies

Studies Required for the Doctoral Degree

Change of the Target Degree or Major Subject

Transferable skills studies (5–10 ECTS)

Compulsory transferable skills studies in the LUMETO doctoral programme:

Optional transferable skills studies in the doctoral programme:

Studies in the discipline and field of research (20–25 ECTS)

Compulsory studies in the discipline and field of research:

Optional studies in the discipline and field of research:

Personal study plan for doctoral researchers

Recognition of prior learning

Transitional provisions

Changing target degree and major subject

Degree requirements and structure

Courses in discipline and field of research

Courses of the co-operative networks

Transferable Skills Studies

Degree requirements and structure

Courses in discipline and field of research

Courses of the co-operative networks

Transferable Skills Studies

Degree requirements and structure

Courses in discipline and field of research

Courses of the co-operative networks

Transferable Skills Studies

Degree requirements and structure

Courses in discipline and field of research

Courses of the co-operative networks

Transferable Skills Studies

Teaching

Curriculum of transferable skills

Courses on writing research funding applications

University pedagogy

Statistics

Business studies

Language studies

Short-term trainings

English for research presentations course

Accessible UEF templates

Posters

Power Point

Erasmus+

Research Council of Finland: International researcher mobility based on bilateral agreements

Where to apply for grants?

The research plan is the basis of grant application

Tips for grant applicants

A grant-funded researcher agreement

A grant researcher is the manager of their own research

Taxation

Insurances

Unemployment and social security

More information

Tools to support wellbeing

(Work) life crises

Support for difficult situations at work