Your Doctoral Journey at the University of Eastern Finland

Why choose UEF?

The University of Eastern Finland is one of Finland’s leading multidisciplinary universities, offering doctoral candidates an international, research-intensive and supportive environment. With campuses in Joensuu and Kuopio, UEF combines high-level research, interdisciplinary collaboration and a strong commitment to sustainability, responsibility and equality.

Discover what international students say about studying at UEF


Key facts about UEF

  • The most multidisciplinary university in Finland
  • Campuses in Joensuu and Kuopio
  • Approximately 17,600 degree students
  • Approximately 3,500 staff members
  • Four faculties covering a wide range of disciplines
  • Research ranked among the world’s best in several fields
  • Doctoral programmes across all scientific fields of the university

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Discover research at UEF


Forests and Bioeconomy Research Community

As a doctoral candidate at UEF, you will become part of an international and interdisciplinary research environment that addresses some of the most urgent global challenges of our time. UEF’s strategically significant Research Communities (RCs) bring together researchers across disciplines to produce high-quality scientific knowledge, develop practical solutions and support research-based education.

Doctoral candidates in this programme will join the Forests and Bioeconomy Research Community (FOBI), an international and multidisciplinary environment focused on the future of forests, sustainable resource use and the transition towards a biosociety — the third wave of the bioeconomy. FOBI research develops science-based solutions for the sustainable and multifunctional management and use of forests, supports ecosystem services, and contributes to new sustainable markets, innovations and business models in the forest-based bioeconomy.

Meet our research community


Doctoral Programmes at the UEF

The University of Eastern Finland offers doctoral education across all its scientific disciplines, educating high-level researchers and experts for careers in academia, research, teaching and demanding expert roles in society.

Doctoral education at UEF is organised through discipline-specific and thematic doctoral programmes. These programmes provide doctoral candidates with a structured research environment, academic supervision and opportunities to develop both field-specific expertise and broader transferable skills.

Doctoral candidates in DP-FOBI will join one of UEF’s doctoral programmes, depending on their disciplinary focus and faculty affiliation:

  • Doctoral Programme of the Philosophical Faculty
  • Doctoral Programme in Science, Forestry and Technology
  • Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences
  • Doctoral Programme of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies

Through these programmes, doctoral candidates become part of UEF’s wider academic community and develop the expertise needed to contribute to high-quality research, education and societal impact.

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As a DP-FOBI Doctoral Candidate, You Are Part of UEF Staff

If selected for DP-FOBI, you will become a member of the UEF staff. UEF offers its employees meaningful work in an international academic environment, supports a healthy work–life balance, and provides time to recharge as well as staff benefits that promote wellbeing.

Explore what it is to work at UEF