PhD in Law

University of Eastern Finland; Joensuu; On-site; EUR 39,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

National healthcare

Childcare support

Staff training

Lunch discount

Job summary

The University of Eastern Finland in Joensuu invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher position under the Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions COFUND Doctoral Programme for Advancing Forest‑Based Bioeconomy (DP‑FOBI). The four‑year contract begins by 1 April 2027.

The research explores how legal and regulatory frameworks shape innovation from idea to commercialization, with focus on IP, data and market regulation in bio‑based sectors.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in law, or a closely related field.
• Meet MSCA mobility rule: less than 12 months in Finland during past 3 years.
• Fulfil the language skills requirements of the Doctoral Programme of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies at UEF.
• Strong background in intellectual property regulation, particularly in patent law, trademark law, or EU intellectual property law.
• Familiarity with EU data law, contract law, or commercial law.

Responsibilities

• Conduct dissertation research and complete the required doctoral studies, including DP‑FOBI training such as workshops and summer schools.
• Prepare an individual study plan and career development plan to build advanced expertise and enable collaboration with supervisors.
• Participate in secondments, research visits, collaborative projects, and dissemination and exploitation activities.

Job description

Doctoral Researcher – Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions COFUND Doctoral Programme for Advancing Forest‑Based Bioeconomy

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, Law School Research theme: Sustainable innovation and IPR law at the University of Eastern Finland invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher position (4 years) in the Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions COFUND Doctoral Programme for Advancing Forest‑Based Bioeconomy (DP‑FOBI). The position is based on the Joensuu campus and is expected to begin no later than 1 April 2027. Applications must be submitted no later than 10 August 2026.

Description of the research theme

This PhD research project explores how legal and regulatory frameworks shape innovation from idea to successful commercialization. It examines how existing law, such as intellectual property rights (IPR), data and market regulations, support or constrain innovation in bio‑based industries. The study analyses specific emerging challenges in securing IPR protection and compliance with existing legal IPR standards. The project aims to identify legal barriers and opportunities and provide recommendations for navigating and improving the regulatory landscape to foster responsible, competitive and sustainable innovation practices. It adds to know how on navigating IP infrastructure, legal design and informed decision‑making in R & D processes in ONE of the following themes: EU AI Act and sustainable models for data‑based innovation and commercialisation; EU food labelling law and marketing healthy consumable innovations; EU patent law, business method patents and trade secrets protection for new service platform providers in e.g. eco and health tourism sector.

Supportive supervision and interdisciplinary environment

Supportive supervision by experienced researchers with expertise relevant to the research theme to ensure timely completion of your doctoral degree; a unique and encouraging interdisciplinary research and work environment; an access to comprehensive doctoral training and DP‑FOBI activities: workshops, summer schools, research visits and secondments; an opportunity to become a part of the FOBI research community and Commercial and Trade Law Research Group enabling collaboration within a vibrant interdisciplinary network; possibilities to cooperate closely with industry and societal partners enhancing the real‑world impact of your research.

Employment relationship and salary

The position will be filled for a fixed term of four years. Total working time is 1612 hours per year. A probationary period of four months applies to all new staff members. The salary follows the Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions salary system and consists of:

• living allowance (EUR3,200), forming the main part of the gross monthly salary
• mobility allowance (EUR87 monthly) for mobility‑related private expenses
• family allowance (EUR300 monthly) for Doctoral researchers with a spouse and/or a dependent
• paid leave and an additional holiday bonus in summer
• travel allowance (EUR1,500 per year) is allocated for conference travel and an additional allowance (EUR10,500 in total) for travel to secondments and short visits
• research costs (EUR6,000 in total) is allocated for costs, such as lab consumables, data collection, publication, etc.
• special needs allowance and support are available, if needed

Benefits

Researchers will also have access to the national healthcare system and high‑quality, affordable childcare and school services. UEF offers a wide range of staff benefits and support services, including extensive occupational health care, a broad selection of staff training and staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants.

Requirements and expectations

Master’s degree (or equivalent) in law, or a closely related field, not have a doctoral degree at the time of the call deadline; meet MSCA mobility rule: less than 12 months in Finland during past 3 years; fulfil the language skills requirements of the Doctoral Programme of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies at UEF.

Applicants are expected to have a strong legal background in intellectual property regulation, particularly in patent law, trademark law, or EU intellectual property law in the context of the Digital Single Market; familiarity with the basic framework for the legal protection of intangible assets (IP law at the global level including how inventions may be protected through patents, trade secrets, and trademarks, how innovative service platforms may be designed in relation to AI and data law, or how innovative products may be promoted to consumers under labelling and marketing law); demonstrated knowledge of EU data law, contract law, or commercial law.

Tasks and Responsibilities of the Doctoral Researcher

At the time of signing the employment contract, the recruited researcher must be enrolled in the UEF Doctoral Programme of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, which leads to the award of a doctoral degree. Admission to the doctoral programme requires a research plan, which the selected candidate will prepare in collaboration with their supervisors shortly after being accepted to DP‑FOBI.

The main tasks of the doctoral researcher include conducting dissertation research, and completing the required doctoral studies, including DP‑FOBI training such as workshops and summer schools. The researcher will also prepare an individual study plan and career development plan to build advanced expertise, and is encouraged to participate in secondments, research visits, collaborative projects, and dissemination and exploitation activities.

Contact

For further information on the application requirements and procedure, please contact Project Manager Paula Inkeroinen, [e-mail] or send email to [e-mail]. Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website.

You will have an opportunity to work in an interesting / meaningful / diverse role as part of our international, creative, participatory and inclusive academic community. Enjoy your life in Finland! Known for its cleanliness, welfare know-how, modern technology and superb education system, Finland is an exotic and safe country to work in. Please visit the Life in Finland section on our website to learn more.

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies operates on two campuses of the University of Eastern Finland – in Joensuu and Kuopio. The faculty trains experts in the fields of history, geography, economics and business administration, law, social sciences, and social and health management. The faculty’s research is closely linked to the research areas identified in the university’s strategy. The faculty has 4,480 Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students and approximately 500 postgraduate students actively pursuing their studies. The faculty has 550 staff members. The University of Eastern Finland (UEF) is the most multidisciplinary university in Finland. Our university employs approximately 3,200 employees, and our community includes approximately 17,000 degree students and 16,000 adult education students. Our campuses are located in Joensuu and Kuopio. We represent the world’s cutting edge of research in many fields and produce research‑based knowledge, which is made openly available to benefit everyone. Learn more about our university at www.uef.fi/en. Read also about UEF as a working community and employer and the career stories of our employees.