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. TIAS invites applications for seven (7) TIES2 Fellowship positions (title: Senior Researcher) for a three-year period starting from 1 September 2027.
TIES2 COFUND Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellows at a Glance
| Programme | Turku Intersectoral Excellence Scheme 2 (TIES2) |
|---|---|
| Funding | European Union Marie Skłodowska Curie-actions (MSCA) COFUND programme + University of Turku |
| Host | Turku Institute for Advanced Studies (TIAS), University of Turku |
| Positions | 7 |
| Official title | Senior Researcher |
| Period | Three years starting from 1 September 2027 |
| Eligible disciplinary base | Any discipline within TIAS’s five constituent faculties: Economics, Education, Humanities, Law and Social Sciences |
| Selection basis | Academic excellence |
| Location | One of the campuses of the University of Turku |
| Residence | Successful candidates are required to be resident in Finland |
| Deadline | 13 November 2026 at 16:00 Finnish time (GMT/UTC +2) |
| Programme contact | ties@utu.fi |
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.
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.
Mandatory Intersectoral Secondment
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.
| Secondment duration | Between 3 and 12 months |
|---|---|
| Host sector | Organisation external to the higher education sector |
| Relationship to project | Must be a key part of the TIES2 project |
| Salary | University of Turku salary continues during the secondment |
Who We Are Looking For
Applicants must have completed their doctoral degree (including public defence/viva) 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.
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.
| Doctoral degree | Applicants must have completed their doctoral degree (including public defence/viva) by the call deadline. |
|---|---|
| Time since doctoral degree | They must have gained their doctoral degree a maximum of eight (8) years before the call deadline. |
| Other academic achievements | Applicants are also expected to have attained other academic achievements. |
| International academic networks | Successful candidates are requested to demonstrate engagement in international academic networks. |
| Research environment | Successful candidates must provide evidence of their ability to work in a research environment of high international standard. |
| MSCA mobility rule | Applicants 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. |
Motivation Letter, Departmental Fit and Training Needs
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
The key issue for the evaluation of the proposal 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.
| Primary issue | Academic quality |
|---|---|
| Criterion 1 | Excellence |
| Criterion 2 | Impact |
| Criterion 3 | Quality and efficiency of implementation |
| Additional considerations | Potential for groundbreaking research within its field, documented international collaboration, potential to enhance the applicant’s professional growth and relevance of planned secondments |
| Ethics | Reviewers are also asked to comment on any ethical issues around the proposed research |
| Final decision | TIES2 Selection Committee, based on the external evaluations |
Benefits, Workload and Salary
TIES2 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.
| Current gross salary | €4,592 per month |
|---|---|
| Salary basis | Requirement level 6 and pre-estimated personal performance percentage of 17 % |
| Salary progression | Subject to yearly increases |
| Mobility allowance | Around €80/month, meant for personal mobility costs |
| Family allowance | Around €80/month for Fellows who are eligible |
| Tax treatment | Mobility and family allowances are considered part of the salary and are therefore taxable income as well as the salary |
| Additional funding | Funding for travel costs, research cost, training costs and opportunities for innovation funding |
| Trial period | 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 (link on the instructions for applicants webpage). The closing date for applications is 13 November 2026 (16:00 Finnish time, GMT/UTC +2).
Information Session for Applicants
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 TIES2 Call and TIAS Call for Postdoctoral and Collegium Fellow positions.
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.
About TIAS and the University of Turku
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. It builds a sustainable future with multidisciplinary research, education, and collaboration.
CareerAidHub Application Guidance
The following points are CareerAidHub guidance only and do not replace or modify the official TIES2 wording above.
- Check the mobility rule first: confirm your Finland residence/activity history before preparing the full application.
- Use the exact official criteria: structure your application around excellence, impact, and quality and efficiency of implementation.
- Show departmental fit: identify the University of Turku department and the research areas that align with your proposed work.
- Integrate the secondment: explain why the non-higher-education organisation is important to the research project.
- Keep official terminology: avoid substituting different language for eligibility or evaluation criteria in your application documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many TIES2 fellowship positions are available?
The supplied 2026–27 call lists seven (7) TIES2 Fellowship positions with the title Senior Researcher.
What is the application deadline?
The closing date is 13 November 2026 at 16:00 Finnish time (GMT/UTC +2).
What is the doctoral-degree requirement?
Applicants must have completed their doctoral degree, including public defence/viva, by the call deadline and must have gained their doctoral degree a maximum of eight (8) years before the call deadline.
What is the MSCA mobility rule?
Applicants 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.
What are the three evaluation criteria?
1) excellence, 2) impact, and 3) quality and efficiency of implementation.
Do applicants need to contact a department before applying?
No. The call states that it is not necessary for applicants to contact departments or staff members.
Official Sources and Application Links
| Controlling source for this rebuild | TIES2 Call text 2026–2027 supplied for this CareerAidHub revision |
|---|---|
| University of Turku TIES2 applicant page | Official programme and applicant information page |
| Turku Institute for Advanced Studies | Official TIAS programme and institutional information |
| Programme contact | ties@utu.fi |
CareerAidHub has revised this page so that eligibility, applicant requirements, evaluation criteria, salary/benefits and application instructions follow the wording of the supplied TIES2 2026–2027 call text. Where the public applicant webpage still shows older reference material, applicants should follow the current call documentation issued for the 2026–2027 round.
