RESDOC Doctoral Researcher Positions 2026 at the University of Helsinki (Fully Funded)
The RESDOC Doctoral Researcher Positions 2026 offer 30 fully funded doctoral opportunities at the University of Helsinki in Finland. RESDOC is an international doctoral training project focused on major sustainability and health challenges. Selected researchers will receive four-year full-time employment contracts and a gross salary of approximately €2,900 per month. Applications must be submitted by 31 August 2026.
Quick Overview
Programme: RESDOC – Resilient and Just Systems Doctoral Project
Opportunity Type: Fully Funded Doctoral Researcher Positions
Host Institution: University of Helsinki
Country: Finland
Available Positions: 30 doctoral researchers
Employment Period: 2027–2030
Employment Format: Full-time four-year contract
Gross Salary: Approximately €2,900 per month
Application Deadline: 31 August 2026, at 11:59 PM Finnish time EET
About the RESDOC Doctoral Researcher Positions 2026
RESDOC is an international doctoral training project at the University of Helsinki. It brings together interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral research to address global challenges.
The project is co-funded by the MSCA COFUND programme under Horizon Europe and the University of Helsinki. Selected researchers will carry out their research and doctoral studies at the University of Helsinki in Finland.
RESDOC provides a structured research and training environment aligned with European standards for researcher development. Successful candidates will work towards a doctoral degree awarded by the University of Helsinki.
Research Themes
Applicants must propose a research topic that aligns with at least one of the four interdisciplinary RESDOC themes:
• Infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance in changing environments
• Biodiversity and nature’s resilience
• Secure and sustainable food and water systems
• Just socio-ecological transition
Applicants may suggest two or three potential primary supervisors whose expertise matches their research proposal. Contacting potential supervisors is optional and does not influence the evaluation process.
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Doctoral Training and Professional Development
RESDOC combines scientific training with transferable skills development.
The doctoral degree includes a thesis and compulsory studies supporting research work. RESDOC contributes 20–25 ECTS credits through structured training.
The programme includes:
✓ Scientific and transferable skills training
✓ Doctoral Base Camp during the first year
✓ Annual symposia
✓ A mandatory digital training module in artificial intelligence
✓ Innovation and entrepreneurship training
✓ Citizen science team assignments
✓ Interdisciplinary collaboration
✓ Career development support
Each RESDOC doctoral researcher must also complete a two-to-four-month secondment. The secondment may include one or several visits and will be arranged with associated partner organisations.
Researchers remain employed by the University of Helsinki and continue to receive their regular salary during the secondment.
Employment and Financial Support
Selected doctoral researchers will receive full-time employment contracts for four years during 2027–2030.
The employment package includes:
✓ Gross salary of approximately €2,900 per month
✓ Comprehensive social security
✓ Occupational health care
✓ Flexible working arrangements
✓ Paid annual vacation according to contract conditions and the collective agreement
Selected researchers must reside in Finland during their employment. Applicants arriving from outside the European Union must apply for a residence permit.
Additional support may be available under specific conditions:
✓ Family allowance of approximately €300 gross per month
✓ Long-term leave allowance
✓ Special needs allowance
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Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all mandatory eligibility requirements by 31 August 2026.
Applicants must:
• Hold a master’s degree or an equivalent qualification that allows them to pursue doctoral studies.
• Complete the qualifying degree and receive the dated certificate by 31 August 2026.
• Not hold a PhD degree.
• Be an early-stage researcher with less than four years of full-time equivalent research experience.
• Fulfil the University of Helsinki’s English-language requirements.
• Not be permanently employed by the University of Helsinki.
• Comply with the MSCA mobility rule.
• Be willing to reside in Finland for the full four-year period.
• Propose a research topic aligned with the RESDOC themes and available supervision.
Under the MSCA mobility rule, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Finland for more than 12 months during the 36 months preceding the application deadline. The relevant period is from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2026.
Required Documents
Applicants must submit the required documents through the University of Helsinki’s online recruitment system.
The required attachments include:
• Europass CV in English
• Letter of motivation and doctoral study plan
• Scanned copy of the master’s degree certificate
• Transcript of records
• Official translations when the original documents are not in Finnish, Swedish, or English
• Proof of English-language skills, when already available
• Research proposal
• Ethics self-assessment
• Intersectoral mobility plan
Applicants proceeding to the selection stage must provide valid proof of English-language skills by 31 December 2026.
The research proposal must include two or three suggested supervisors. Applicants must prepare and submit their proposals independently.
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Application Process
Applications are accepted only through the University of Helsinki’s online recruitment system.
Applicants should:
• Review the official eligibility criteria carefully.
• Prepare the required documents and templates.
• Open the official recruitment page through the application instructions.
• Click “apply for the post.”
• Complete the online application form.
• Upload the required PDF attachments.
• Click “Apply” to submit the application.
Clicking “save” does not submit the application. Applicants may edit and resubmit their application until the deadline.
Selection Process
Applications will first be reviewed to confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements and include all mandatory attachments.
Eligible applications will proceed to the evaluation stage. The written application accounts for 70% of the evaluation, while the interview accounts for 30%.
The written application assessment considers:
• Alignment of the research plan with RESDOC themes
• Quality and novelty of the research objectives
• Suitability of the methodology
• Feasibility of the research plan
• Study and intersectoral mobility plan
• Applicant’s relevant experience, skills, and competencies
Important Dates
Application Period: 1 June–31 August 2026
Applicant Webinar: 15 June 2026, from 13:00 to 14:30 EET Finnish time
Application Deadline: 31 August 2026, at 11:59 PM Finnish time EET
Employment Period: 2027–2030
Apply Here
Review the official programme details and follow the application instructions provided on the official page.
