Doctoral Researcher (PhD student), Innovative Doctoral Education Ecosystem for Photonics (I-DEEP) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for 8 Doctoral Researcher (PhD) positions at the Department of Physics and Mathematics and at the School of Computing on the Joensuu campus. The positions will be filled for a fixed term with a starting date between 1 August 2024 to 1 January 2025.

Please find more information below and submit your application no later than 2 April 2024.

Role and salary

In 2024–2027, the Ministry of Education and Culture will fund a doctoral education pilot, which will test new doctoral education practices in Finland. The pilot will cover both fields connected to the flagships of research as well as other fields.

The doctoral education pilot I-DEEP (Innovative Doctoral Education Ecosystem for Photonics) offers 8 new full-time doctoral researcher positions with duration of a maximum of 3 years at the Department of Physics and Mathematics/the School of Computing in the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology.

The doctoral dissertation work will be carried out in accordance with a research proposal that contains work packages and sub-goals so that the doctoral dissertation will be in the preliminary examination phase within 3 years of full-time study. The research proposal will be drawn up in cooperation with the supervisor and partners.

Observing working life connections is part of doctoral education, and each doctoral researcher draws up a career plan that supports their work as a doctoral researcher and aims to map career opportunities not only at the university but also in the service of the industrial sector, research institutes and other public and private organisations in Finland.

The Department of Physics and Mathematics and the School of Computing invite prospective Doctoral Researcher candidates to apply for the positions, which will involve research in one of the following topics:

• Topic 1: 3D printing of Gradient Index optics
• Topic 2: Beam engineering of nanoscale lasers
• Topic 3: Coherence and polarization in random light
• Topic 4: Controlling of light with metamaterial surfaces
• Topic 5: Ghost imaging in the mid-infrared range
• Topic 6: New sensors for embedded eye tracking
• Topic 7: Quantum structures in complex vector fields
• Topic 8: Topology of light

More information and detailed descriptions of the topics can be found in here. Applicants are kindly asked to specify maximum of three preferred topics (ranked in order) in the application.

The position will be filled for a maximum of three years, starting from 1 August 2024 or 1 January 2025 (or starting date as agreed between these dates) due to it pertaining to own doctoral research. A probationary period is applied to all new members of the staff.

The salary of the position is determined in accordance with the salary system for Finnish universities. The salary comprises two components: a job-related salary element and a personal salary element. In this position, the job requirement level is based on levels 2–4 of the job requirement level chart for teaching and research staff, depending on the stage of the applicant’s doctoral research and postgraduate studies. The personal salary element is 6–50% of the job-related salary element. Depending on the salary elements, the salary will be approximately EUR 2,580.00-3,380.00/month.

Evaluation

In the evaluation of applications, special attention will be paid to the following elements:

• degrees completed by the applicant and academic performance, as well as other qualifications supporting the topic of the dissertation
• the motivational letter
• the progress of the applicant’s research and postgraduate studies will also be taken into account for those applicants who are already registered as postgraduate students

The assessment may include interviews with candidates. Interviews will be organized separately.

Our requirements and expectations

Requirements:

• you are eligible for doctoral education, hold a suitable Master’s degree completed at a university or a university of applied sciences, or have suitable foreign education qualifying for equivalent university studies in the country concerned,
• you have sufficient English language skills for the task,
• you meet the student admission criteria for the doctoral programme,
• you are planning or working on your first doctoral degree,
• you are a postgraduate student currently registered with the University of Eastern Finland (the postgraduate study right granted on 1 November 2023 or after) or plan to complete your doctoral degree at the University of Eastern Finland.

Students in the final stages of a degree that makes them eligible to apply (e.g., a Master’s degree) may also apply provided that they complete their degree by 17 May 2024 and deliver a copy of their degree certificate to the faculty by 7 June 2024.

Your benefits

You will have access to the university’s staff benefits, including:

• the opportunity for flexible multi-location work
• extensive occupational health care
• a broad selection of staff training
• staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants, as well as on a range of other services
• affordable sports services and a tax-free bike benefit

Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website. 

You will have an opportunity to work in an interesting and diverse role as part of our international, creative, participatory and inclusive academic community.

Enjoy your life in Finland! Known for its cleanliness, welfare know-how, modern technology and superb education system, Finland is an exotic and safe country to work in. Please visit the Life in Finland section on our website to learn more.

How to apply?

Submit your application by using our electronic application form no later than 2 April 2024 by 24:00 (midnight) Finnish time (UTC+2). Only applications containing all the attachments specified in the job advertisement will be evaluated and considered in the selection process.

Please note that the applications must contain the following appendices in English: 

• CV (Template for CV, www-page)  
• a list of publications (Instructions, www-page)
• a motivational letter (1 page) in which the applicant describes their motivation to pursue postgraduate studies and to conduct research or the progress of postgraduate studies that have already been started
• a copy of the degree certificate and a transcript of academic records that prove the applicant’s eligibility for postgraduate studies are required from persons who do not have an existing right to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Eastern Finland.

If your diploma is not in English, Finnish or Swedish, an official English translation must be provided. All translations must be issued either by the awarding educational institution or an authorised translator. Each page of the official translation must bear the translator’s stamp and/or signature. Official translations must be accurate translations of the original documents. Translations made by the applicants themselves are not accepted.

Questions?

For further information on the position, please contact Professor Jyrki Saarinen, e-mail: jyrki.saarinen@uef.fi, tel. +358 29 445 3005.

For further information on the application procedure, please contact Human Resources Secretary Sara Keronen (during 11.3.-28.3.), email: sara.keronen@uef.fi, tel. +358 50 324 1342 and Human Resources Secretary Iiris Korhonen (during 29.3.-2.4.), email: iiris.korhonen@uef.fi, tel. +358 29 4458161.

For further information on the student affairs, please contact Education Affairs Specialist Riikka Levänen, email: riikka.levanen@uef.fi, tel. +358 50 478 6176.