Postdoctoral Researchers in the MSCA COFUND NOVEL Programme at the University of Eastern Finland, 2026.

The University of Eastern Finland (UEF) is one of the largest multidisciplinary universities in Finland and offers education in nearly 100 major subjects, and is home to approximately 15,500 students and 2,700 members of staff.

In the international rankings, the university is ranked among the leading universities in the world.

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies is now looking for highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Researchers to join the NOVEL postdoctoral programme co-funded by the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie-Action COFUND of the EU funding programme Horizon Europe.

About the job

• There are five (5) positions open for three-year (36 months) postdoctoral researcher positions at the University of Eastern Finland’s Kuopio campus in the research areas of Innovation in Society and Ethics and Wellbeing.
• The positions are fully funded by the programme.
• Please see NOVEL’s website for a description of the research areas.
• Postdoctoral researchers will be working either at the UEF Business School, Law School, or the Department of Health and Social Management.
• All positions are located at the University of Eastern Finland’s Kuopio campus in Kuopio, Finland.
• Recruited researchers will live and carry out their research activities in Kuopio.

Postdoctoral positions are available in two research areas:

• Innovation in Society and Ethics, and Wellbeing.
• These areas explore how innovation supports lifelong brain health of various groups, including its costs and benefits.
• They further examine patients’ rights, ethical principles, and engagement.
• Together, they highlight the connections between innovation, costs, and rights in brain health and well-being.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

We are looking for excellent candidates who meet the following criteria:

Doctorate degree:

• The applicant must have a doctoral degree (or equivalent, incl. a research-based thesis) by the end of the call.

Experience:

• The applicant should have less than 7 years of research experience (full-time equivalent research work at a university or research institution, assessed from the date when the PhD study right ended)

    Nationality:

• Any

Proficiency in the English language:

• Proof of English language proficiency may be requested if it is not indicated in the academic degrees or diplomas.

Applicants must use the templates provided by NOVEL for submitting required documents.

Applications not using the required templates will not be considered eligible.

EXPECTED SALARY.

• Postdoctoral researchers selected for the NOVEL programme will, by default, be offered a three-year (36 months) fixed-term full-time employment contract by the University of Eastern Finland.
• The selected applicants are expected to start their project between August and November 2026.
• The salary of the selected postdoctoral researchers will be paid monthly.
• The starting gross salary (before taxes) will be 3980 € per month for full-time employment, in accordance with the guidelines of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND action.

In addition, the researchers are also entitled to

• A travel allowance (e.g., conferences, secondments, and visits), up to 4500 € per year
• Research costs (e.g., lab consumables, data collection costs, publication costs), up to 1113 € per year.
• Innovation costs (for supporting innovation activities, e.g., Proof of Concept), up to 2604 € per year.
• Family allowance (for applicants with a spouse and/or a dependent), €100 per month
• Mobility allowance, 28€ per month
• Special needs allowance and support are available, if needed
• The employment contracts are based on a total working time of 1,612 hours per year, which gives the postdoctoral researchers freedom to plan their working hours.
• A trial period is applied to new members of the staff.

Why you should apply for this position

• Cutting-edge research, research training, and career development for postdoctoral researchers in fields associated with brain health. We have 5 positions open in the research areas of Innovation in Society and Ethics & Wellbeing.
• An inspiring international and interdisciplinary research atmosphere in well-established research units, world-class guidance, cutting-edge infrastructures, and mandatory intersectoral secondment opportunities with non-academic partners, with the opportunity for additional secondments and visits with academic and non-academic partners.
• During the mandatory intersectoral secondments (2-6 months), partner organisations will provide you with similar level working conditions ensured by being UEF employees.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• A wide variety of support services at UEF are at your disposal, allowing you to focus on your research. Support for international staff is provided by the University of Eastern Finland.
• You will receive a competitive salary paid monthly, which includes paid leave and an additional holiday bonus in the summer. UEF Staff benefits are also available.
• You will receive university occupational health insurance. The Finnish government also provides benefits to residents and their families, for example, access to the national healthcare system and high-quality, affordable childcare and school services.
• Finland has been chosen as the Happiest Country in the World, with a high quality of life, safety, an excellent education system, and a competitive economy. Read more about working and living in Kuopio.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please submit your application together with all relevant documents by February 28, 2026, at 23:59 (UTC+2 / Helsinki) through our recruitment system.

Guidance and detailed Instructions for applicants are available in the Guide for Applicants, available on our website.

The Guide for Applicants is recommended to be read carefully together with this Call text.

All the documents must be written in English and named using the last name of the applicant and the document title.

PLEASE NOTE THAT TEMPLATES PROVIDED BY NOVEL MUST BE USED FOR ALL THE DOCUMENTS!

All the documents needed for the application:

• At least one signed Letter of Support from a NOVEL supervisor indicating technical fit of the proposal with the hosting research group. NOVEL template must be used. Information about the available research groups is described on the NOVEL web page with contact details.
• Research proposal. NOVEL template must be used. The template includes a one-page summary of the proposal.
• NOVEL template must be used. The template includes a list of publications. Information on the length of your research experience must be clearly visible in your CV.
• Certified copy of the doctoral degree diploma (PhD or equivalent) or other certified proof if the diploma is not yet available.
• Ethical Declaration and Ethical Self-assessment, including an infrastructure table. NOVEL template must be used.
• Preliminary Data Management Plan (one page). NOVEL template must be used.
• Proof of English language proficiency may be requested if it is not indicated in the applicant’s academic degrees or diplomas. In other words, it may be required if the applicant has not completed any academic degree in a university programme taught in English.

TO ensure a successful application, note the following.

• You can download mandatory templates from the NOVEL website.
• Ensure that you have included all the required attachments with your application.
• Only applications containing all relevant appendices and submitted through the online Varbi-recruitment system will be considered.
• Please note that it’s possible to edit and supplement your application until the end of the application period.
• After applying, you will receive a reply message with a link to your application form.
• However, we recommend completing your application as early as possible.
• An applicant can submit only one application per call.
• If one submits multiple, the application submitted first will be acknowledged.
• Applications received after the deadline or incomplete applications will not be considered.

For any inquiries regarding the submission of the application, it is recommended to contact the NOVEL info desk (novel@uef.fi) as soon as possible and at least a week before applying.

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