HAIF Selection and evaluation process

The call is closed! The closing date for applications was Friday, 28 February, at 15:00 (Helsinki/Europe).

Prior to applying, carefully read the “Guide for applicants” and familiarize yourself with the HAIF research groups and examples of potential dissertation topics.

An information session for applicants was held online on Monday 3 February 2025. The HAIF coordination team introduced the Call, explained the applications and reviews process and answered questions.

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Links and templates: Stage I:

Links and templates: Stage II: (The link below will be updated before Stage II begins.)

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Eligible applicants must fulfil the following criteria:

1. They do not have a doctoral degree. A researcher must not already be in possession of a doctoral degree at the deadline of the application call. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree are not eligible to apply.
2. They hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent degree in relevant discipline for HAIF. Possible disciplines include computer science, ICT engineering, materials engineering, biomedical engineering, digital humanities, law, philosophy, philosophical ethics and health sciences. The total grade of the Master’s degree must be at least on the level good. An applicant, whose Master’s degree is not completed when the application period ends, can apply. In this case, the applicant must complete the Master’s degree and provide degree certificates and transcripts by the Friday, 16 May, at 15:00 (Helsinki/Europe). The certificates will be checked.
3. Mobility rule: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Finland for more than 12 months in 36 months immediately before the deadline of the application call. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are acceptable and do not breach the mobility rule.
4. English language proficiency: Doctoral training emphasises scientific work, and the doctoral degree includes courses for developing the variety of skills. For doctoral candidates to obtain the degree and integrate into the academic community, they must have sufficient oral and written communication skills in English. See here the manners of verifying language skills:
   • Language requirements for admission / Right to study for a doctoral degree

Applicants should submit their applications during the application period to the electronic application system of University of Turku. The application consists of the application form and attachments. All the application documents must be delivered within the application period, and the content must be written in English.

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Timeline of Stage I

1. Submissions (stage I)
2. Eligibility checks
3. External evaluation
4. Ranking list of the stage I

Timeline of Stage II

1. Submissions (stage II)
2. Interviews
3. Offers
4. Accepting positions + UTUGS study rights
5. Signing contracts

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The attachments of the HAIF application: Stage I

1. Research, motivation and impact statement (max. 2 pages) (Only the first 2 pages are evaluated)
2. Curriculum vitae (CV) (max. 2 pages) (Only the first 2 pages are evaluated)
3. Degree certificates and study transcripts
4. Certificate of the language proficiency

The attachments of the HAIF application: Stage II

1. Research proposal
2. Initial Ethics self-assessment following the standard checklist provided by the European Commission

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