How to apply?
Application categories
UCIT accepts applications in two categories: funded and non-funded. There are two differences between these categories. The first difference is that the employers of UCIT students on funded positions receive partial funding for the salary of the doctoral student. The second difference is that funded positions are available only periodically whereas non-funded positions can be applied at any time. Decisions on the applications for the non-funded positions will be made in the first UCIT board meeting after the application has been received.
Requirements for applicants
In order to receive a position in UCIT, an applicant must:
- Have a supervisor in one of the units that belong to UCIT.
- Apply for a position according to the instructions.
- Have a Master's degree in a field covered by UCIT (UCIT funding can start only after the degree has been formally completed).
- Demonstrate good capacity for advanced studies.
- Accept the policies of UCIT. The policy page also contains information on the salary policy.
- Have good skill in the Finnish or in the English language. Native speakers of either of these languages do not need to furnish proof of their skill. Applicants who do not speak Finnish or English as their mother tongue must include the result of an international test result (for example TOEFL) in their application to demonstrate sufficient skill in the English language.
Schedule
There is currently an open call for 8 funded positions. Non-funded positions
can be granted in every board meeting. Board meetings take place at least twice per year. The date of the next meeting is available
from the coordinator.
Keeping informed: There are two ways to be informed when calls for appliactions are open. The first is to periodically check
this page. The second is to join the UCIT mailing list and wait for an announcement to arrive through the list.
Evaluation of the applications
Evaluation criteria
The research plan is the most important application document. The research must contribute to the development of user centered
information technology. The scientific, economic, and societal impact of the potential results are additional evaluation criteria.
The research plan will be further evaluated regarding its feasibility. Does the application demonstrate that the needed tools and
skills are available or can be acquired?
The other documents have a supportive role in the evaluation. The information on the merits and performance of the applicant in
scientific work and studies are used to estimate whether the applicant has the capacity for the proposed project. The statement of the
supervisor and other referees serve a similar function. The evaluators will be asking themselves whether the applicant's background and
current situation will allow full-time effort on the thesis work.
The evaluation is competitive. UCIT supports only the top candidates. In the calls for funded positions all applications are compared
to each other. When applications for non-funded positions are evaluated, they will be compared to recent applications. The goal is to
maintain a balanced representation from the participating fields of science. Consideration will be given to ensuring that the selection
process results in a cohesive multi-disciplinary research community in UCIT.
Evaluation procedure
The applications will be read and evaluated by at least three members of the UCIT board. The evaluators will present their
recommendation in a board meeting. If necessary, the board will have an extended discussion and if consensus is not reached the board
will vote on the decision.
A form that documents the arguments that the decision is based on will be filled in in the board meeting for each applicant. These data
are also attached to the decision that is delivered to the applicant after the meeting to provide feedback on the application.