PhD Study Track

The PhD Study Track of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, is a high quality research programme for medical, dental, psychology and logopedics students, integrated into their studies leading to the Licentiate of Medicine and Licentiate of Dentistry degrees. The programme allows students to begin their doctoral research projects alongside their undergraduate studies already after their first year of study under excellent supervision in an internationally esteemed environment. Students are selected to the programme annually from among first-year students of medicine and dentistry. The programme aims to train researchers who possess the knowledge and skills needed to significantly contribute to medical or dental research after their graduation. The programme provides wide-ranging research training as well as supports related internationalisation activities and community relations. The PhD Study Track (see the orders) is implemented in cooperation with the Faculty and the doctoral programmes coordinated by the Faculty.

PhD Study Track students work in research groups for five summers before completing their Licentiate degrees. During the first two summers, the students have a unique opportunity to conduct research in three to four different research groups to familiarise themselves with different research settings and topics. These short employments are known as rotation periods. After the second summer, each student begins their doctoral studies in one of the Faculty research groups by completing a traineeship in their chosen group. The rotation periods and traineeships are funded by the Faculty of Medicine. PhD Study Track students must apply to the Faculty of Medicine for the right to pursue doctoral studies as well as register for one of the Faculty’s doctoral programmes during their undergraduate studies. After completing their Licentiate degree, students work full-time in their dissertation supervisor’s research group. During this period, the students write their dissertations and defend them in a public examination as approved by the Faculty. 

The programme is only available in Finnish and in Swedish. Please see the instructions on sites of either of those languages.

The rotation periods aim to familiarise the PhD Study Track students with hands-on research. During these periods, students will familiarise themselves with the research methods and settings of different research groups and join the scientific community. After each rotation period, students should know what the group in question is studying and why, as well as have familiarised themselves with their key research methods.

Rotation procedure

Students selected to the PhD Study Track will complete a total of four rotation periods in three to four research groups during their first two summer breaks. They will work in these groups for three months during both the first and second summers, usually in June, July and August, i.e., outside teaching periods. They will work for approximately one and a half months in each group, and at least one of the rotation periods must be completed in a Faculty research group carrying out clinical research. The rotation periods (1st and 2nd summer) will be funded by the Faculty of Medicine. When selecting the groups, students should pay attention to such aspects as the size, structure, productivity and research interests of the group in question. Many students will later join one of these groups to complete their doctoral studies, but students are also allowed to complete their dissertations in other groups.

NB!

• Students have the right to appropriate supervision and occupational safety.
• Students completing their rotation periods must be treated fairly and equally.

Students and supervisors

PhD Study Track students should independently contact research group leaders well in advance to discuss the possibility to complete the rotation period in the group in question. Students intending to complete a rotation period are undergraduate students, so their laboratory work experience should be assessed before drafting more detailed job descriptions.

Senior researchers in the research groups must have at least the qualifications of a docent, and the group must be carrying out high-quality research. The de facto supervisor of the work must be available throughout the rotation period. The supervisor must commit to the assignment and have the required knowledge and skills.

PhD Study Track tutors

The steering group of the PhD Study Track must appoint two to three tutors for each year group. The tutors will provide general advice and answer students’ questions on the programme. In addition, the tutors will advise students on selecting suitable research groups.

Reporting

Students must prepare a report after each summer spent completing rotation periods and submit it to the programme by 15 September. The report should reflect on, e.g., different research periods, the methods learned and the results obtained. Students should familiarise themselves with the reporting form (available in Finnish) well before preparing their reports.

Frequently asked questions about the rotation periods

I wish to complete a rotation period abroad. How can I do that?

A rotation period completed abroad is a rewarding experience, even though it requires a bit more organising compared to rotations completed in Helsinki. Finding a suitable research group is your responsibility, but you should ask for tips from senior students and, when necessary, the programme's Education Coordinator. After finding a suitable group, please announce the relevant details in a manner similar to other rotation periods. Unfortunately, the pay for rotation periods completed abroad will be the same as for periods completed in Finland. However, you should check whether you are entitled to an increased student grant for the duration of the rotation. If necessary, the Education Coordinator will provide you with a separate certificate on the rotation for Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. Please note that no credits will be awarded for rotation periods. Airline tickets, accommodation and other travel arrangements are your responsibility.

Next summer, I only want to work in one research group. Is that OK?

The MD PhD Programme’s speciality lies in the opportunity to visit several different rotation groups before choosing your research group.  Students ought to go to at least three different groups in two years, with one of the groups being a clinical research group. However, if it is the best thing for the student due to, for example, their situation in life or interest to finish the rotations in the same group, it is possible to do so and you could commit to a group after the first summer. Please contact the programme's Education Coordinator (meilahti-phd@helsinki.fi) if due to your circumstances you can only work in one group. The schedules are flexible and we will always try to resolve the cases in students’ favour.  

One rotation period must be completed in a research group of the Faculty conducting clinical research. What is considered a clinical research group?

Clinical research groups are groups where the group director is conducting clinical research or where patient data is being processed. If unsure about a certain group fulfilling the criteria for clinical research groups, you can check the matter with the Education Coordinator.

Should I commit to a research group already after my first summer?

You should not. It is a good idea to see more than one group before you decide on yours. Some of the groups will not even let you choose their group after the first summer.

However, if it is the best thing for the student due to, for example, their situation in life or interest to finish the rotations in the same group, it is possible to do so and you could commit to a group after the first summer. In this case, it is a good idea to discuss the matter first with PhD Study Track’s Education Coordinator before making any definite plans. 

Should I do part-time research already after my first rotation summer (second year of studies)?

This depends on the student. The PhD Study Track does not require doing part-time research, however, if the student has time and energy to do so, they can. It is good to keep in mind though, that new research groups become available after the first rotation summer. Working in more than one group might help the student in deciding their own research topic.

 After the rotation periods, the students continue their doctoral research alongside their undergraduate studies by completing research traineeships. Students have the opportunity to conduct research in a full-time salaried position for at least three months during the following three summers (the summers of the 3rd to the 5th year). As a rule, the research traineeships must be completed outside the academic terms, but exceptions may be made. These traineeships are funded by the Faculty of Medicine. In addition, students may choose to continue their research on a part-time basis alongside their regular studies. Funding for paid research work completed during teaching periods is arranged by the dissertation supervisor.

Research traineeship procedure

During the autumn of their third year of study (by 1 December), students select the research group in which they will carry out their doctoral research. The steering group of the MD PhD programme will discuss the proposals for research groups and notify the students and dissertation supervisors of their decision. Students must commit to the dissertation project and work full-time in the selected research group during the following summers in three-month periods. After completing their undergraduate studies, doctoral students continue working full-time in the research group led by their dissertation supervisor until the completion of their dissertations.

Reporting

Students must prepare a follow-up report on each of their traineeships (3rd–5th summers) and submit it to the MD PhD programme by 1 December. The report should discuss the progress and timetable of the dissertation project (an English-language research plan) and the research training completed during the traineeship. Students should familiarise themselves with the reporting form (available in Finnish) well before preparing their reports.

Frequently asked questions about the traineeships

What should I take into consideration at the beginning of the traineeship period?

At the beginning of the traineeship period, you should choose the research group where you will complete your doctoral dissertation. The MD PhD Programme's Education Planning Officer must be notified of the groups towards the end of the first traineeship year (details are available in the general instructions for the MD PhD Programme above). The traineeship period consists of three working summers (3 x 3 months). When necessary, the traineeship months can be completed outside the summer. As during rotation periods, a separate report on each traineeship year must be completed. The deadline for submitting traineeship reports is the beginning of December each year.

You should agree with your dissertation supervisor(s) well in advance on the timing of your application for a right to pursue doctoral studies in one of the doctoral programmes of our Faculty. The recommended time for this is during your fourth year of studies, which means you should familiarise yourself with the various doctoral programmes in good time. Applications for a right to pursue doctoral studies are submitted in accordance with the relevant doctoral programme. All doctoral programmes coordinated by the Faculty of Medicine are available here.

I am currently on a gap year. Can I complete traineeship months during my gap year?

You may complete the salaried months of one traineeship summer (3 months) during your gap year. Please announce your gap year no later than when you are submitting the information required for an employment contract to the HR coordinator and the MD PhD Programme's Education Coordinator.

This year, I will be unable to work in accordance with the MD PhD Programme instructions. What should I do?

Don’t worry – situations change during studies and in life, which is entirely understandable. However, please let the programme's Education Coordinator know. When necessary, you can complete the salaried months left over later.

Students beginning their dissertation projects must apply for a right to pursue doctoral studies from the Faculty. Those holding a degree of Licentiate of Medicine or Licentiate of Dentistry or an eligible second-cycle (Master’s) degree or who have been accepted to pursue a degree of Licentiate of Medicine or Dentistry at the Faculty may apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Helsinki.

Students must apply for a right to pursue doctoral studies as instructed by the doctoral programmes coordinated by the Faculty well in advance during their undergraduate studies. The study right will be granted as per Faculty regulations for a doctoral degree in medicine or dentistry to be completed in one of the Faculty-coordinated doctoral programmes.

The Faculty of Medicine coordinates four doctoral programmes that belong to the Doctoral School in the Health Sciences. The Faculty of Medicine is also involved in doctoral programmes coordinated by other faculties. All doctoral students belong to a doctoral programme. As prospective doctoral students must apply for the right to pursue doctoral studies in a specific doctoral programme, the steering group of the doctoral programme in question will process the applications and prepare a reasoned proposal on the successful applicants to the Faculty.

Learning outcomes and courses 

Doctoral programmes of the Faculty of Medicine regularly organise high-quality training both independently and in cooperation with partners. The topics of the training courses are selected to benefit as many doctoral students as possible, regardless of their individual fields of research. Research education stems from the dissertation project carried out by the doctoral student, the progress of which is followed annually by monitoring groups.

Students selected to the PhD Study Track are encouraged to participate in the excellent methodological and thematic training in different fields of medicine provided by the doctoral programmes. Each doctoral student must prepare a personal study plan. The personal study plan should support the doctoral student in his or her dissertation writing process.

The learning outcomes of the programme include

• Adopting a scientific mindset and good scientific practices
• Understanding the scientific basis and basic methodology of one’s field of research and completing related advanced-level training
• Familiarising oneself with research legislation and ethical norms
• Completing transferable skills training

Monitoring groups for doctoral students 

In accordance with Rector’s Decision 82/2013, a monitoring group will be appointed for all new doctoral students to monitor their dissertation progress. The monitoring group is appointed when the dissertation project is registered. At least one expert member of the monitoring group must have the qualifications of a docent or equivalent academic qualifications. PhD Study Track students should apply for the right to pursue doctoral studies during their fifth year of study at the latest. Once the right to study has been granted, the student must convene a meeting of the Faculty-appointed monitoring group. After this, these meetings will be held annually. The monitoring group’s reports include recommendations on future training to support the research, as well as a recommendation to continue or discontinue the work, if necessary. In addition, the monitoring group will tentatively assess whether the student’s research results are sufficient for a doctoral dissertation.

Doctoral programme-specific instructions on the composition, duties and meeting procedures and reporting practices of the monitoring group can be found on each doctoral programme’s website.

Completing the dissertation 

The website of the Faculty of Medicine contains instructions for doctoral students nearing the completion of their dissertation and their public examination. The PhD Study Track does not have its own publication series, but the programme requires that the programme be mentioned in the “Acknowledgements” section of the dissertation. Doctoral students in the PhD Study Track are encouraged to publish their dissertation in the publication series of the Doctoral School.

Frequently asked questions of doctoral studies

When should I apply for a right to pursue doctoral studies?

According to the PhD Study Track instructions, the right to pursue doctoral studies should be applied for during the fourth year of studies. You should discuss the matter with your supervisor(s) well in advance, and all application documents should be thoroughly prepared. Further details on applying for a right to pursue doctoral studies are available on the website of your chosen doctoral programme.

What will be accepted as an advanced-studies thesis?

A publication and a related summary authored by you will be accepted as an advanced-studies thesis (20 cr). A report written for a monitoring group, formally equivalent to a thesis, concerning the background and progress of your research will also be accepted as an advanced-studies thesis. Please note that you must complete a maturity test (an abstract written in the language of your secondary education attached to your thesis) just like other students. (NB! These instructions only apply to students whose studies have begun before 2017.) You should discuss the matter in more detail also with your supervisor(s).

How do I fund my dissertation project after completing my licentiate studies?

Doctoral dissertation work should be primarily funded by applying for a salaried position at your doctoral programme. Application periods are usually open every autumn; please see further details on the website of your doctoral programme. Another option is for your supervisor to pay your salary, or you can apply for a grant for your dissertation project. A comprehensive list of parties that award grants is available in the Aurora database.

PhD Study Track students work in research groups full-time and under supervision for a total of three months annually for five years before completing their Licentiate degrees in medicine or dentistry. The work will be completed outside regular teaching periods. Funding for the rotation periods (1st and 2nd summers) and traineeships (3rd‒5th summers) is provided by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Helsinki. After completing their Licentiate degree, students work full-time in their dissertation supervisor’s research group. The employment may begin once the doctoral students have completed their Licentiate degree and received the right to pursue doctoral studies at the Faculty.

Students must complete their degree of Licentiate of Medicine or Dentistry before their sixth summer. If the undergraduate studies have not proceeded on schedule or the students have worked as full-time researchers, they should negotiate with their dissertation supervisor on acquiring additional funding. The PhD Study Track does not encourage students to take breaks from their undergraduate studies, and any full-time research periods should always be reported to the programme.

Research funding opportunities 

The second meeting of the monitoring group is held four months before the completion of the Licentiate degree. The monitoring group will assess the progress of the dissertation project and discuss funding opportunities with the dissertation supervisor if the dissertation cannot be finished before the completion of the Licentiate degree. Students are encouraged to apply for doctoral student positions in the appropriate doctoral programmes either when nearing the end of their undergraduate studies or immediately after graduation. If the students fail to acquire a salaried doctoral student position, they may apply for research funding from alternative sources. The funding plan must be reported to the PhD Study Track degree programme.

HR and the YPJ salary system for Finnish universities

Rotation periods and traineeships

During the rotation periods and traineeships (1st‒5th summers), the students work as research assistants. In the salary system for Finnish universities, the position of research assistant is on level 4 of the demands level chart for non-academic staff. The personal performance percentage will be determined in accordance with the list below.

1. Summer, performance percentage 7 %, salary 2053 €
2. Summer, performance percentage 12 %, salary 2149 €
3. Summer, performance percentage 18 % salary 2264 €
4. Summer, performance percentage 24 %, salary 2379 €
5. Summer, performance percentage 30 %, salary 2494 €

The guidelines above apply to PhD Study Track students who began their studies in or after 2014. Students who began their studies in the PhD Study Track before 2014 will be paid a pre-determined salary for rotation periods and traineeships.

Doctoral students

Doctoral students (after completing the Licentiate degree, 18 months) will be paid a salary in accordance with the YPJ salary system for Finnish universities (teaching and research staff). Initially, doctoral students’ salaries are based on level 2 of the job requirements scheme for teaching and research staff. The requirements level will be upgraded to 3 at the halfway point of the doctoral studies and to 4 when the dissertation supervisor deems the student to be approximately one year from his or her public examination. Further information is available from the Faculty’s HR coordinators.

Frequently asked

I will soon complete my Licentiate/Master's degree, but I have not used up all of my salaried months in the PhD Study Track. Can I use them now?

You need to use all the salaried months before completing your basic degree. If you are unable to use all of them when completing your degree, you can agree on using the rest with the programme's Education Coordinator. Please note that employment contracts cannot be concluded for periods shorter than one month – for example, you cannot use salaried months in halves.

The steering group of the PhD Study Track is in charge of organising admission procedures and monitors the realisation of the programme's objectives. In addition, the steering group makes decisions based on recommendations by the monitoring groups and appoints two to three tutors for each year group. The steering group shall also include a student representative selected by the PhD Study Track students from among themselves. The term of office of the student representative is two years.

Composition of the steering group 2022‒2025:
Professor Antti Mäkitie, chair
Professor Satu Mustjoki
Professor Mikko Niemi
Professor David Rice
Student member Suvi Laitinen

Secretary, Education Coordinator Kaisa Heloma

Autumn of the first year of studies

• During the autumn before the start of the application period: An information session is held for first-year students of medicine and dentistry
• The turn of the year: The application period for the MD PhD programme begins

Spring of the first year of studies – autumn of the second year of studies (1st rotation periods)

• March/April: An information session and meeting with the tutors
• April/May: The selection of research groups for rotation periods (in cooperation with tutors; however, students must themselves contact the research groups)
• April: Notification of the MD PhD programme's Education Coordinator of the rotation groups
• End of May: Personal details form (06) and employment contract (3 months)
• Near the start of the summer break, i.e., before the first rotation periods: Introductory course for the MD PhD programme
• September: Meeting with tutors
• By 15 September: Submission of the rotation report to the MD PhD programme

Spring of the second year of studies – autumn of the third year of studies (2nd rotation periods)

• April: Meeting with tutors
• April/May: Selection of research groups for rotations
• April: Notification of the MD PhD programme's Education Coordinator of the rotation groups
• End of May: Employment contract (3 months)
• By 15 September: Submission of the rotation report to the MD PhD programme
• September: Meeting with tutors
• By 1 December: Selection of the research groups in which the students will carry out their doctoral research

Spring of the third year of studies – autumn of the fourth year of studies (1st traineeship)

• End of May: Submission of personal details forms and conclusion of employment contracts
• September/October: Meeting with tutors
• By 1 December: Submission of reports on the traineeships to the MD PhD programme

Spring of the fourth year of studies – autumn of the fifth year of studies (2nd traineeship)

• By the spring: Students apply for the right to pursue doctoral studies and select a doctoral programme
• When granting the right to pursue doctoral studies: The appointing of monitoring groups
• End of May: Employment contract (3 months)
• September/October: Meeting with tutors
• As per doctoral programme instructions: Students convene the first meeting of the monitoring group and report their progress to the doctoral programme.
• By 1 December: Submission of reports on the traineeships to the MD PhD programme

Spring of the fifth year of studies – (3rd traineeship)

• End of May: Employment contract (3 months)
• After completing the Licentiate degree: Full-time work in the research group of the dissertation supervisor
• By 1 December: Submission of reports on the traineeships to the MD PhD programme
• Four months before completing the Licentiate degree at the latest: Students convene the second meeting of the monitoring group and report their progress to the doctoral programme.
• Before completing the Licentiate degree: Doctoral students discuss funding opportunities and report their funding plan to the MD PhD programme.

After completing the Licentiate degree

• Doctoral programme-specific practices: Doctoral students convene the meetings of the monitoring group as per relevant regulations and report their progress to the doctoral programme.
• When completing the dissertation: Notification of the MD PhD programme's Education Coordinator of the upcoming public examination
• The MD PhD programme must be mentioned in the “Acknowledgements” section of the dissertation.

Is it possible to take some time off in the PhD Study Track?

Yes, students are able to take some time off. All PhD Study Track students earn annual leave. Students are paid approximately 3 months/year for the research work they conduct in PhD Study Track and this earns them about a week of annual leave/year. It is also possible to have unpaid leave, if this fits in the research group’s schedule. 

When can PhD Study Track​​​​​​​ students do their practice (amanuensis)?

Amanuensis practice work can be completed when suitable to the student. PhD Study Track is flexible with its schedules and PhD Study Track research work can be completed throughout the year, not just summer.

Is it possible to do any clinical work as a PhD Study Track​​​​​​​ student?

It is possible to do clinical work, even when studying in PhD Study Track. PhD Study Track research work is flexible and can be done when it is suitable to do it. For example, it is possible to do clinical work during summer and similarly PhD Study Track work during Christmas break.

What are the positive and negative things about the PhD Study Track​​​​​​​?

According to the students of PhD Study Track, positive things in Study Track are peer support, good stepping stone into doing research, as well as being able to start doing research in the early stages of the studies. Rotations are also seen as a strength of PhD Study Track; it is a privilege and an excellent opportunity to be able to see different research groups and labs before choosing your own group. PhD Study Track also offers its students a secure summer job, for the funding is allocated for at least three months/year/student. PhD Study Track is also a flexible programme:  it is recommended that the required rotations and practices are completed during the summer, however, it is possible to complete them during other times of the year as well.

A negative side of PhD Study Track according to the students is lack of free time. Holidays are mostly spent working on PhD Study Track related research groups, although it is possible to take some time off as well.

I will soon complete my Licentiate of Medicine/Dentistry degree, but I have not used up all of my salaried months in the PhD Study Track​​​​​​​. Can I use them now?

As a rule, you can. All students of the PhD Study Track have 5 x 3 salaried months. If you are unable to use all of them when completing your licentiate degree, you can agree on using the rest with the programme's Education Coordinator. Please note that employment contracts cannot be concluded for periods shorter than one month – for example, you cannot use salaried months in halves.

What should I take into consideration after receiving my licentiate degree?

Congratulations on graduating! You should notify the PhD Study Track's Education Coordinator as soon as possible to be transferred to an email list reserved for licentiate graduates in the programme. Please let the Education Coordinator also know how you are planning to fund the final stage of your dissertation project. Should you have any questions regarding funding, please read the above section “How do I fund my dissertation project after completing my licentiate studies?”

The MD PhD programme is implemented in cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine and the doctoral programmes coordinated by the Faculty. The programme is coordinated by the Doctoral Services of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki in cooperation with the steering group of the MD PhD programme. Senior Advisor Sini Sulkama coordinates the programme.

Where can I get support and guidance related to the MD PhD Programme?

All matters related to the MD PhD Programme should be taken up with the programme's Education Coordinator, who can be reached at meilahti-phd@helsinki.fi. When necessary, you can make an appointment. The Education Coordinator’s office is located on the third floor of Biomedicum 1 in the Student Services facilities at Meilahti. The Education Coordinator is there for you and available to answer your questions, no matter how big or small.

It is also possible to talk about MD PhD matters with other MD PhD students. Peer support often helps. For example, student member of MD PhD Programme’s steering group knows a lot about the programme's matters and is happy to help. Current student member is Suvi Laitinen.