The Turku Intersectoral Excellence Scheme 2 (TIES2) invites applications for 7 postdoctoral fellowship positions at the University of Turku. TIES2 is jointly funded by the European Union’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND programme and the University of Turku and is hosted within the Turku Institute for Advanced Studies (TIAS). Each appointment is for three years, starting from 1 September 2027.
TIES2 COFUND Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellows at a Glance
| Programme | Turku Intersectoral Excellence Scheme 2 (TIES2) |
|---|---|
| Host institution | University of Turku |
| Host unit | Turku Institute for Advanced Studies (TIAS) |
| Funding framework | European Union Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND + University of Turku |
| Number of positions | 7 |
| Official employment title | Senior Researcher |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Start date | 1 September 2027 |
| Eligible disciplines | Projects in any discipline represented in TIAS’s five constituent faculties: Economics, Education, Humanities, Law and Social Sciences |
| Selection basis | Academic excellence |
| Residence requirement | Successful candidates must reside in Finland and attend the University campus regularly |
| Application deadline | 13 November 2026 at 16:00 Finnish time (GMT/UTC +2) |
| Programme contact | ties@utu.fi |
| Last verified | 23 September 2026 |
Job Description and Research Expectations
TIES2 has been developed to extend TIAS support by giving outstanding researchers the opportunity to undertake a three-year research project of their own design. The project must directly involve at least one organisation from outside the higher-education sector chosen by the applicant.
| Main research task | Carry out an internationally excellent research project over the three-year fellowship period. |
|---|---|
| Research outputs | Disseminate the results of the project through appropriate academic and wider outputs. |
| TIAS participation | Attend regular TIAS meetings and events and contribute to the Institute’s academic, interdisciplinary and social life. |
| Location | One of the campuses of the University of Turku. |
| Residence | Successful candidates must be resident in Finland and attend campus regularly. |
Mandatory Intersectoral Secondment
Every TIES2 Fellow must undertake a secondment in an organisation outside the higher-education sector. The secondment is not an optional add-on: it must be a meaningful component of the proposed research project.
| Secondment length | Between 3 and 12 months |
|---|---|
| Sector | An organisation external to the higher-education sector |
| Organisation choice | Chosen by the applicant |
| Relationship to project | Must form a key part of the TIES2 research project |
| Salary during secondment | Fellows continue to receive their salary from the University of Turku |
Eligibility Requirements
| Doctoral degree | Applicants must have completed their doctoral degree, including the public defence/viva, by the call deadline. |
|---|---|
| Career stage | The doctoral degree must normally have been obtained a maximum of 8 years before the call deadline. |
| Academic profile | Applicants are expected to have additional academic achievements appropriate to their career stage. |
| International profile | Applicants should demonstrate engagement in international academic networks and the 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 in Finland for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately before the call deadline. |
University of Turku Research Fit and Motivation
Applicants should explain how their work complements research already taking place at the University of Turku. The motivation letter must identify the department in which the applicant wishes to be located and describe the areas of that department’s research that align with the proposed project.
Applicants should also explain why they want to join the TIES2 programme, outline any non-research-oriented training needs and how those needs will be addressed during the fellowship, and describe how the proposed work relates to one or more of the University of Turku’s multidisciplinary themes and areas of strength.
Research Integrity and Open Science
TIES2 applicants are expected to follow the University of Turku’s policies on research ethics, equality and non-discrimination, as well as the principles of Open Science of both the University of Turku and Horizon Europe.
Evaluation of Applications
The central consideration is the academic quality of the proposal. Reviewers are also encouraged to consider the potential for groundbreaking research, documented international collaboration, the potential to enhance the applicant’s professional growth and the relevance of the planned secondment.
| Excellence | Scientific quality and academic excellence of the proposed research. |
|---|---|
| Impact | Potential contribution to the field, international collaboration and professional development. |
| Quality and efficiency of implementation | Strength and feasibility of the implementation plan, including the intersectoral secondment. |
| Ethics | Reviewers are also asked to comment on ethical issues associated with the proposed research. |
| Final decision | The TIES2 Selection Committee makes the final decisions based on the external evaluations. |
Salary, Allowances and Research Environment
| Current gross salary | €4,592 per month |
|---|---|
| Salary basis | University salary system for teaching and research personnel, requirement level 6 with a pre-estimated personal-performance percentage of 17% |
| Salary progression | Subject to yearly increases |
| Mobility allowance | Approximately €80/month, treated as taxable salary income |
| Family allowance | Approximately €80/month for eligible Fellows, treated as taxable salary income |
| Additional support | Funding eligibility for travel, research costs, training costs and innovation opportunities |
| Trial period | 6 months |
| Annual workload | 1,612 hours |
| Teaching | Up to 5% of annual workload |
| Other academic/administrative duties | Up to another 5% of total working time |
The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the HR Excellence in Research quality label. The University also provides support and orientation for international hires, including information on the City of Turku, visitor services, International House of Turku, Finnish working culture, careers in Southwest Finland and relocation to Finland.
The call also highlights the University’s international ranking profile, multidisciplinary research base and high-quality research infrastructures supporting cutting-edge research and collaboration with businesses and organisations.
How to Apply
Applicants should first read the detailed TIES2 instructions and guidance for applicants, including the requirements for application documents, and then submit through the University of Turku online recruitment system linked from the official applicant page.
Information Session for Applicants
An online information session will be held on Monday, 28 September 2026, from 14:00 to 16:00 Finnish time (GMT/UTC +3). The session covers both the TIES2 Call and the TIAS Call for Postdoctoral and Collegium Fellow positions. The TIAS Director will introduce the calls, explain the application and review process and answer questions.
About TIAS and the University of Turku
Turku Institute for Advanced Studies (TIAS), founded in 2008, promotes cutting-edge university research in the humanities and social sciences. It is a joint enterprise of the faculties of Humanities, Education, Social Sciences and Law and Turku School of Economics, with the aim of creating an interdisciplinary research community focused on research excellence.
The University of Turku is an international academic community of approximately 25,000 students and staff in Southwest Finland. The University describes its mission as building a sustainable future through multidisciplinary research, education and collaboration.
CareerAidHub Application Guidance
The following is CareerAidHub guidance, not an additional University of Turku eligibility rule.
- Start with mobility eligibility: confirm the 12-month/36-month Finland rule before investing heavily in the proposal.
- Design the secondment as part of the science: it should strengthen the project rather than appear as a separate administrative requirement.
- Explain departmental fit: identify the University of Turku department and show exactly how the proposed work complements its research.
- Connect training to career progression: state clearly what non-research training you need and why it matters for your next career stage.
- Keep the intersectoral impact visible: explain what the non-higher-education partner contributes that cannot be achieved through university research alone.
Pre-Submission Checklist
- Doctoral degree completed, including defence/viva, by the deadline
- Ph.D. date checked against the 8-year career-stage requirement
- MSCA Finland mobility rule checked for the previous 36 months
- University of Turku host department identified
- Research fit with the intended department explained
- Three-year project designed around academic excellence
- Non-higher-education secondment of 3–12 months integrated into the project
- International networks and research-environment readiness demonstrated
- Training needs and career-development objectives explained
- Research ethics, equality, non-discrimination and Open Science addressed
- Application submitted before 13 November 2026 at 16:00 Finnish time
Frequently Asked Questions
How many TIES2 fellowships are available?
The fresh 2026–27 call offers seven TIES2 Fellow positions, with the employment title Senior Researcher.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is 13 November 2026 at 16:00 Finnish time (GMT/UTC +2).
What is the salary?
The current gross salary stated in the call is €4,592 per month, plus approximately €80 per month mobility allowance and, where eligible, approximately €80 per month family allowance.
Is a non-academic secondment compulsory?
Yes. Every Fellow must spend between three and twelve months on secondment in an organisation outside the higher-education sector, and that secondment must form a key part of the research project.
What is 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 immediately before the call deadline.
Do applicants need to contact a department before applying?
No. Applicants should identify the intended department and explain the research fit, but the call states that advance contact with departments or staff members is not necessary.
Official Sources and Application Links
| TIES2 Call for Applicants | Primary University of Turku source for the current TIES2 call, detailed applicant instructions and recruitment-system link. |
|---|---|
| TIAS / TIES2 Programme | Official programme background and institutional information. |
| Programme contact | ties@utu.fi |
This CareerAidHub rebuild is based on the fresh University of Turku TIES2 2026–27 call supplied for this article. Applicants should always use the current official applicant page as the controlling source immediately before submission.
