Call for ImmuDocs Projects

Instructions on how to apply for the ImmuDocs Doctoral Education Pilot Project

The ImmuDocs Doctoral Education Pilot at the University of Turku will now fill the remaining 13 positions for 3-year doctoral researcher positions. The call will end on October 6, 2024.

In this call the ImmuDocs Doctoral Education Pilot is seeking a broad range of top-quality pilot project proposals in the fields of immunology, immunology-based drug development, and immunology-based diagnostics. The immunological research can be basic, translational, and/or clinical.

We have carefully evaluated the funded projects of the previous calls and found certain areas to be underrepresented. Therefore, in this call the election and evaluation criteria are slightly modified.  Based on the ministry’s statement that “…The aim is to increase the number of people with a doctorate working in the private sector for businesses…” connections of the pilot projects to business life are considered as a strength.

Each main supervisor (PI) may submit one ImmuDocs Project Proposal. Note that PIs who already have two pilot projects as main PI are not eligible to apply. Since the positions will start on 1.1.2025, PIs are encouraged to propose projects with identified doctoral student candidates.

Selection criteria

The project plans applicable to the ImmuDocs Pilot will be approved by the ImmuDocs Board. The review criteria are original and innovative research, feasibility of the project within three years and main supervisor’s previous publication record and experience in the pilot project area. When relevant, concrete interactions with the business sector are valued. PI will receive an email notification after the decision has been made and the project is accepted for the recruitment process.

Support for the preparation of an ImmuDocs Project Plan

If requested, support will be provided to the PI for the preparation of the proposals so that they can meet the requirements of a 3-year doctoral dissertation. Please contact InFLAMES Research Manager Jarkko Koivunen (jarkko.koivunen@utu.fi) for advice on drafting the ImmuDocs Project Proposal.

Schedule of ImmuDocs autumn calls (subject to change)
23.9.-6.10.2024             Call for ImmuDocs Projects
Week 41                           Decisions on the accepted ImmuDocs projects by the ImmuDocs Board
14.- 28.10.2024              Call for Doctoral Researchers for the accepted ImmuDocs projects
29.10.-4.11.2024 or       Selection processes and possible interviews by the main supervisors
29.10.-20.11.2024          (Please see additional information/dates if needed)
5.11.2024                          1st ImmuDocs Board meeting and approval of the selected candidates
28.10.-8.11.2024             Additional call for a study right for a doctoral degree
1.1.2025                           Candidates start their 3-year ImmuDocs doctoral positions.

Additional information/dates (subject to change):
If PI does not have an applicant for the Immudocs project proposal, they are still eligible to apply for the Immudocs pilot project. If no doctoral researcher applicant is selected for an accepted project by November 5th, those applying for Doctoral Researcher position in the PI’s Immudocs pilot project between 14.10. and 28.10.2024, and do not yet have study rights, will be directed to the second round of study rights applications for the autumn term (held from 28.10. to 8.11.2024). The selection criteria will determine who is excluded (e.g., those lacking a pilot supervisor or project).
20.11.2024                     2nd ImmuDocs Board meeting and approval of the selected candidates
1.1.2025                        Candidates start their ImmuDocs doctoral positions.

Doctoral Research candidates will apply for the selected ImmuDocs project positions, which will start on January 1, 2025. To be eligible for these positions, an applicant’s study right for a doctoral degree must not have been granted earlier than November 1, 2023.

Candidates who do not yet possess a study right at the University of Turku need to apply for it when the university opens an additional call for applications for doctoral studies. Instructions on how to apply for doctoral study right will be provided to the project’s Principal Investigator (PI) following conditional funding decisions by the ImmuDocs Board. The study right will be granted by the faculty, and the applicant should have a relevant higher university degree by December 3 in the Faculty of Medicine or by November 15 in the Faculty of Technology or Faculty of Science to be eligible to start in the ImmuDocs funded position on January 1, 2025.

A new doctoral programme for ImmuDocs is expected to launch in 2025, and all ImmuDocs Doctoral Researchers are expected to be transferred to the new doctoral program.

Please note the new features of the ImmuDocs Doctoral Education Pilot:

  • The Doctoral Researcher and Supervisor should be dedicated to following the ImmuDocs 3-year project plan.
  • The 3-year doctoral studies will be conducted within the scheduled ImmuDocs training framework.
  • The Doctoral Researcher will have an individual competence plan for methodological, theoretical, and transferable skills. This will be regularly monitored using logbooks and self-evaluation.
  • A minimum of two supervisors are required for each Doctoral Researcher.
  • The follow-up committee for Doctoral Researchers should include at least two external members, of whom at least one is recommended to be from the private/non-university sector. The committee will meet twice a year, and these meetings are monitored by the ImmuDocs administration.
  • In addition to the official supervisors and follow-up committee, Doctoral Researchers can have 1-2 mentors (e.g. postdocs or senior scientists) during their studies.
  • Mobility related to the project is an integral component of the ImmuDocs doctoral studies. Doctoral Researchers are expected to undertake visits to a company, research institute, or hospital when relevant to their projects. Assistance in identifying a suitable host will be provided by the ImmuDocs administration.
  • At the final stage, ImmuDocs Doctoral Researchers must complete their thesis writing within two months. Supervisors will create a plan with each Doctoral Researcher, provide support, and monitor progress weekly to ensure timely completion.

Candidates have two pathways to apply for the ImmuDocs positions

PATHWAY1 specifications:

The candidate has completed a relevant higher university degree or the applicant’s stage of studies allows the candidate to be awarded a study right for a doctoral degree before December 3 (Faculty of Medicine), or November 15 (Faculty of Technology and Faculty of Science).

  1. The PI drafts the ImmuDocs project proposal using the provided template and submits it by October 6 on Webropol.
  2. The ImmuDocs Board evaluates the proposals and selects those to be opened for recruitment.
  3. The applicant applies for specific project(s) provided by the PIs and selects a maximum of three projects in the order of priority.
  4. The project PI reads the applications, selects the applicant for the project and submits the selection for the ImmuDocs Board. The conditional funding decision is made by the ImmuDocs Board.
  5. The funded applicant applies for a study right for a doctoral degree at the University of Turku between 28.10. – 8.11.2024. The position will start on January 1, 2025 or once they have received their study right for a doctoral degree.

PATHWAY2 specifications:

The candidate’s study right for a doctoral degree has been granted after November 1, 2023 at the University of Turku or an unregistered candidate has worked in the PI’s research group and now intends to continue as a Doctoral Researcher in the same group.

  1. The PI drafts the ImmuDocs project proposal from the candidate’s current project using the provided template and submits it by October 6 on Webropol.
  2. The ImmuDocs Board evaluates the proposals and selects the projects suitable for the ImmuDocs Pilot.
  3. The internal call for applications is opened, and the candidate applies for the ImmuDocs funded position.  If the applicant has a study right for a doctoral degree, they must submit an updated 3-year research plan. If the applicant does not have the study right for a doctoral degree yet, they may submit a research plan or a short idea paper on a research topic for which they are applying, briefly describing how they plan to implement the chosen doctoral project. Please note that a research plan is required for the call for applications for doctoral studies at 28.10. – 8.11.2024.
  4. The funding decision is confirmed by the ImmuDocs Board or the funded applicant applies for a study right for a doctoral degree at the University of Turku in May. The positions will start on January 1, 2025.

Template for the ImmuDocs Project Proposal

If you have questions about the application process, please contact ImmuDocs Coordinator Marja Peura (mahepeu@utu.fi) or InFLAMES Project Manager Kaisa Hakkila (kaisa.hakkila@utu.fi).