The TIES2 Fellowship Finland 2027 offers a €4,592 gross monthly salary for international postdoctoral researchers, with three years to pursue independent research. The University of Turku in Finland is recruiting seven postdoctoral fellows through its Turku Intersectoral Excellence Scheme 2 (TIES2), co-funded by the European Union’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND programme. Applications are open until November 13, 2026, at 16:00 Finnish time (UTC+2). Researchers of all nationalities can apply if they meet the PhD eligibility criteria and MSCA mobility requirements.
What makes this opportunity different? You do not need to secure a university supervisor before applying, and you can develop your own research project. However, your proposal must include a meaningful collaboration with an organisation outside academia, including a mandatory secondment of 3–12 months. With only seven positions available, a strong publication record alone will not make your application competitive.
TIES2 Fellowship Finland 2027: Quick Overview
| Details | Official Information |
|---|---|
| Host country | Finland |
| Host institution | University of Turku |
| Research institute | Turku Institute for Advanced Studies (TIAS) |
| Programme | Turku Intersectoral Excellence Scheme 2 (TIES2) |
| Funding | EU MSCA COFUND and University of Turku |
| Positions available | 7 postdoctoral fellowships |
| Monthly salary | €4,592 gross |
| Fellowship duration | 36 months |
| Start date | September 1, 2027 |
| End date | August 31, 2030 |
| Eligible nationalities | All nationalities, subject to MSCA mobility rules |
| Application deadline | November 13, 2026, 16:00 (UTC+2) |
| Application method | University of Turku electronic application system |
What Is the TIES2 Postdoctoral Fellowship?
The University of Turku and the European Union’s MSCA COFUND programme jointly fund TIES2 through the Turku Institute for Advanced Studies.
The programme gives researchers three years to develop independent projects while working with organisations outside higher education.
Unlike conventional postdoctoral positions built around a professor’s existing research grant, TIES2 allows you to propose your own research direction.
You still need a strong academic foundation. You must also show how your work fits the University of Turku and benefits from cooperation beyond academia.
The fellowship includes a mandatory three-to-twelve-month secondment with a business, government organisation, non-profit or another eligible non-higher education organisation.
If you want greater flexibility in choosing your host institution, consider the Branco Weiss Fellowship 2027. It offers up to CHF 600,000 over five years for independent postdoctoral research across disciplines, without requiring you to work at a specific university.
Available Research Fields
TIES2 accepts proposals within five academic areas:
- Economics: Management, entrepreneurship, business, finance, marketing and related disciplines.
- Education: Education research, teacher education and learning.
- Humanities: History, languages, culture, literature, media and related fields.
- Law: Legal research and related interdisciplinary studies.
- Social Sciences: Sociology, political science, psychology, social policy, philosophy and related areas.
Your research should also connect with at least one of the university’s multidisciplinary themes, including digitalisation, health, learning, cultural change or sustainability.
If your research focuses on sustainability, climate risk or environmental challenges, the Cornell Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 offers another three-year opportunity. Fellows receive a $65,000 annual salary and $12,000 per year for research and travel expenses at Cornell University in the USA.
TIES2 Fellowship Eligibility: Who Can Apply?
Researchers of any nationality can apply for the TIES2 Fellowship 2027 if they have completed a PhD within the permitted eight-year period, meet the MSCA mobility rule and propose research within an eligible University of Turku faculty. Successful fellows must relocate to Finland and undertake a mandatory secondment outside higher education.
The main requirements are:
- PhD qualification: You must complete your doctoral degree by November 13, 2026. If you have defended your thesis but have not received your certificate, your university must confirm successful completion.
- Research experience: Your PhD must normally fall within the previous eight years. The programme permits justified exceptions for circumstances including parental leave, military service, serious illness and experience outside academia.
- Nationality: Researchers from all countries can apply.
- MSCA mobility rule: You must not have lived or carried out your main activity in Finland for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately before the application deadline.
- Employment restriction: Current permanent University of Turku employees cannot apply.
- Location: You must reside in Finland during the fellowship, subject to approved research-related periods away.
Do You Need a Supervisor Before Applying?
No. The University of Turku explicitly states that applicants do not need to contact academic departments or staff members beforehand.
You must, however, identify your preferred department and demonstrate how your research complements its existing work.
This distinction matters. Instead of spending weeks searching for a professor willing to sponsor you, focus on building a convincing project and identifying the right academic environment.
If you hold a PhD from a developing country and want to pursue research outside Europe, explore the TWAS-FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 in Brazil. It supports eligible researchers in natural, applied and social sciences for up to 12 months, with a full proposal deadline of April 1, 2027.
TIES2 Fellowship Salary and Financial Benefits
The University of Turku offers an employment-based salary package rather than a conventional student scholarship stipend.
| Financial benefit | Official amount |
|---|---|
| Gross monthly salary | €4,592 |
| Mobility allowance | Approximately €80/month |
| Family allowance | Approximately €80/month for eligible fellows |
| Travel costs | Up to €1,200/year |
| Research costs | Up to €3,600/year |
| Training costs | Up to €1,200/year |
| Innovation funding | Up to €6,000 over three years |
The base salary corresponds to the university’s requirement level 6 and an estimated personal performance component of 17%. The programme also provides for annual salary increases.
The salary and mobility and family allowances are taxable. The university reimburses eligible travel, research and training costs under its financial rules.
Fellows also receive occupational healthcare and employment benefits under Finnish employment arrangements.
Important: The €4,592 figure represents gross salary, not take-home pay. The university also treats travel and research allocations as eligible expenses rather than additional personal salary.
If your research focuses on peace education, conflict resolution or related social sciences, consider the Georg Arnhold Senior Fellowship 2028 in Germany. The programme offers €3,300 per month, return airfare and a research stay of up to six months. Applications close on November 2, 2026.
Required Documents for the TIES2 Fellowship Application
The University of Turku requires seven supporting documents alongside its electronic application form.
- Doctoral degree certificate: Include an official English translation if your original certificate is not in English, Finnish or Swedish.
- Curriculum vitae: Maximum two pages, using the TIES2 CV template.
- Publication list: Maximum two pages, identifying your five most relevant publications.
- Research plan: Maximum 25,000 characters excluding spaces, using the official research plan template.
- Secondment plan: Maximum one page, using the official template.
- Data Management Plan: Maximum one page, using the official template.
- Motivation letter: Maximum two pages, using the official template.
All attachments must use PDF format, with a maximum attachment file size of 10 MB. Documents must use English and Times New Roman, size 12, with the specified smaller font sizes for tables, footnotes and figures.
The university strictly enforces formatting, document structure and character limits. It counts text inside figures, tables and references toward the research plan’s character limit.
How to Apply for the TIES2 Fellowship 2027
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Confirm your PhD completion date, mobility history and proposed research field.
Instructions and guidance for TIES2 applicants (PDF)
Step 2: Select your host department. Review the eligible units at the University of Turku and identify where your research fits best.
Step 3: Develop your research proposal. Explain your research question, methods, scientific contribution, expected impact and 36-month work plan.
Step 4: Prepare your secondment plan. Identify a relevant non-academic sector or potential organisation and explain what the collaboration contributes to your project.
Step 5: Complete the seven required attachments. Follow each official template and check page limits, formatting and PDF requirements.
Step 6: Submit the electronic application. Use the official University of Turku application portal before November 13, 2026, at 16:00 Finnish time.
To the TIES2 MSCA COFUND Fellow application form
You can revise a submitted application before the deadline. The system sends an email confirmation after successful submission.
The university considers only your latest proposal if you submit multiple applications under your name.
If you are looking for a shorter research opportunity in Europe, the MOPGA Fellowship 2027 in France provides €2,500 per month for a 12-month research stay. Applications close on December 15, 2026, giving eligible researchers another European fellowship to consider.
Careers Help Desk Counter Angle: How to Make Your Application More Competitive
The biggest mistake is treating TIES2 like an ordinary postdoctoral vacancy.
You are competing for seven positions, and the reviewers assess more than your publication record.
The university uses the following evaluation weights:
| Evaluation criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Excellence of researcher and research project | 50% |
| Scientific, social and career impact | 30% |
| Quality and efficiency of implementation | 20% |
Each eligible proposal receives three independent external reviews. Applicants need an overall score of at least 60% to enter funding consideration, but reaching that threshold does not guarantee selection.
1. Show Research Independence, Not Just Academic Productivity
Applicants often spend too much space describing previous publications and achievements.
TIES2 gives equal consideration within its excellence criterion to the applicant’s qualifications and the research project’s scientific merit.
Explain which research questions you can answer independently, what makes your approach original and why your previous work prepares you to deliver the project.
2. Make the Secondment Scientifically Necessary
Do not treat the industry or government secondment as a networking visit.
Identify the expertise, research environment, data or practical perspective you need from the outside organisation. Then explain how that contribution advances your research.
The reviewers explicitly assess your secondment’s relevance and feasibility. A proposal that can achieve exactly the same objectives without external collaboration misses an important feature of TIES2.
3. Write for Reviewers Beyond Your Immediate Discipline
TIES2 operates in an interdisciplinary setting. Your proposal should communicate its central research problem clearly without relying heavily on specialist terminology.
Connect your methods to measurable research outputs, realistic milestones and wider academic or societal contributions.
This approach helps reviewers understand both your scientific ambition and your ability to complete the work within three years.
If your work focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning or computational neuroscience, consider the Harvard Kempner Research Fellowship 2027. It offers a $100,000 annual salary, employee benefits and up to $10,000 per year for research or professional expenses.
Important Application Mistakes to Avoid
- Exceeding the research plan’s 25,000-character limit.
- Uploading a CV or motivation letter that exceeds the permitted page count.
- Forgetting an official English translation of your PhD certificate when required.
- Proposing a secondment without explaining its research contribution.
- Selecting a department that does not support your research direction.
- Failing to disclose AI assistance used to prepare your application.
The university permits appropriate AI assistance during proposal preparation but requires applicants to disclose its use and take responsibility for the accuracy and originality of their work.
Ready to Apply for Postdoc Fellowships in Finland
The TIES2 Fellowship Finland 2027 suits postdoctoral researchers who want to build an independent academic profile while gaining experience beyond university research. Seven researchers will receive three-year appointments beginning September 1, 2027. The strongest applications will explain a distinct research contribution, show a credible external collaboration and demonstrate clear alignment with the University of Turku. Application deadline: November 13, 2026, at 16:00 Finnish time.
Official Source: Turku Intersectoral Excellence Scheme 2 – For Applicants
For programme questions, contact ties@utu.fi.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the TIES2 Fellowship open to international researchers?
Yes. Researchers of every nationality can apply if they meet the PhD qualification requirements, MSCA mobility rule and relevant academic eligibility conditions.
What is the monthly salary for TIES2 Fellows in Finland?
€4,592 gross per month is the university’s current stated salary. Eligible fellows also receive mobility and family allowances, subject to taxation.
Can I apply without contacting a University of Turku professor?
Yes. You do not need advance approval from a professor or department. You must identify your intended department and explain your research fit.
Is a secondment outside academia mandatory?
Yes. Every TIES2 Fellow must complete a secondment lasting a total of three to twelve months with an organisation outside higher education.
What is the TIES2 Fellowship 2027 application deadline?
November 13, 2026, at 16:00 Finnish time (UTC+2). The university does not accept late applications.
Can researchers who recently completed their PhD apply?
Yes. You can apply if you have successfully completed your PhD, including the required defence, by the application deadline. If your degree certificate is pending, you must provide the required confirmation from your university.
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