Doctoral Researcher in the field of vision science
Faculty of Medicine at the University of Helsinki invites applications for a fixed-term position of
Doctoral Researcher in the field of vision science
from 1.2.2025 until 31.1.2028.
Short Introduction
We are looking for a doctoral candidate to work on the EU-funded project “Enhancing perceptual experience in XR environments”. The research will be conducted under the supervision of Dr. Maria Olkkonen in the Color and Material perception lab, which is part of the Perception, Action, and Cognition Group at the Department of Psychology of the University of Helsinki. The candidate will have ample opportunity to interact with the other members of the EU network, and the project contains a secondment at a related company.
About the Role
The candidate will be involved with every aspect of scientific work on the project, especially planning, implementing and executing experiments, data analysis, presenting the results at international conferences, writing publications and engaging in EXPLORA network activities.
Qualifications
• Completed Master´s or equivalent university degree in psychology or a related discipline (computer science, neurosciences, biology, cognitive sciences)
• The candidate should have skills in at least one of the following, and two are preferable: psychophysics, AR/VR, eye tracking, computer rendering
• Strong data analysis and programming skills are desirable.
Please note that the candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the envisioned date of recruitment (earliest date possible: Feb 01, 2026).
The appointee should either already have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki by the start of the appointment or apply for the right and obtain it within the probationary period of six months of their appointment. If the candidate does not already have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki, it must be applied for separately: www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/the-application-process-in-a-nutshell. The requirements for pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki can be found at https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/doctoral-education/eligibility-and-educational-documents. The chosen applicant is expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki.
What we offer
The successful candidate will be embedded in an international network of doctoral students and research labs as part of the EXPLORA Consortium. This will include potential for several international travel opportunities to EXPLORA training workshops/meetings, interaction and collaboration with other Consortium doctoral candidates and researchers, as well as several months spent on two secondments to EXPLORA partner labs. The host lab is embedded in the wider research group Perception, Action, Cognition (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/perception-action-cognition) which hosts frequent seminars and facilitates interaction and collaboration among its members.
The job will be paid in accordance with the MSCA stipend rates as specified by the European Commission. The research project is financed by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action – Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN).
The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, unemployment and pension fund, a generous holiday package, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers.
How to apply
Applications should be submitted in English through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the "Apply now" button.
Internal applicants (i.e., current employees of the University of Helsinki) submit their applications by using the Employee Login button.
Please submit your application as a single pdf file, comprising the following documents in English:
• A motivation letter outlining your previous knowledge and research interests, career goals, and why this makes you a good fit for this role.
• A complete Curriculum Vitae
• Contact details for references
• Certificates/Diplomas: Scanned copies of diplomas and transcripts of relevant previous degrees.
Please submit your application no later than December 13th, 2025.
Don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Maria Olkkonen (maria.olkkonen@helsinki.fi) for further Information on the position.
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About us
The Faculty of Medicine promotes high quality scientific research. It provides research-based undergraduate and postgraduate education in medicine, dentistry, psychology and logopedics, and an international Master's Programme in Translational Medicine. It also offers psychotherapist education. In addition to its teaching and research activities, the faculty serves as a significant expert organisation in the healthcare sector and contributes to the discourse on ethics in the field. The faculty aims to be one of the best medical research faculties in the world, while reinforcing its status as a distinguished institution of multidisciplinary education in healthcare.
The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Helsinki constitutes the academic medical centre together with HUS Helsinki University Hospital and the Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE). This medical centre has been successful in international comparisons, ranking among the top 10 medical campuses in Europe and the top 50 globally.