FINCA Fellowship

FINCA hosts several postdoctoral research fellows, who work on ESO-related research and activities. FINCA fellows are based at the participating universities of FINCA around Finland, namely Aalto, Helsinki, Oulu, or Turku, and are formally employed by UTU.

FINCA fellows pursue their own independent research in an area related to FINCA’s main research themes, and active areas in the participating universities. During their fellowship, they have the opportunity to supervise undergraduate or (post)graduate students at their host university, and are encouraged to participate in teaching. Their areas of research cover a large range in contemporary astronomy, from observational cosmology, active galaxies, and galaxy formation and evolution, through studies of the structure, kinematics, stellar populations and star formation of nearby galaxies, to astrophysical transients, supernovae and their host galaxies, compact binaries, stellar magnetic activity, interstellar medium and star formation, and Solar System and planetary studies.

The next call for the FINCA fellowship is foreseen in autumn 2026 for fellows starting in mid-2027. Aligning with FINCA’s mandate, research strengthening Finland’s utilisation of ESO facilities is prioritised, observational work in particular, but also including suitable theoretical work. Applicants with an interest in instrumentation development are especially encouraged to apply.