Financing doctoral studies

Employment contract

For doctoral researchers starting their full-time studies in 2026, Hanken offers the following employment agreement: 

• Year 1: You will receive a full-time (100%) employment contract for 12 months. 
• Years 2–4: Provided that your study progress is good during the first year, Hanken will then offer a 50% employment contract for the following three years (12+12+12 months). 

During years two to four, you are expected to apply for and be granted research funding to supplement your salary to 100%, allowing you to continue your studies full-time.

The terms of employment are based on the general collective agreement for universities, other legislation, and Hanken’s internal guidelines. 

For part-time studies, Hanken does not offer an employment contract. To finance your studies, you may instead apply for external research funding.

Work contract 

To receive an employment contract, you must first officially accept your study place at Hanken according to the instructions provided in the admissions letter.  

When you sign the employment contract you commit to studying full-time for you whole study time. You cannot hold any other full-time position at the same time. If you terminate your studies or stop studying full-time, you must either resign from your position or request a leave of absence. 

Working hours

The total annual working hours for doctoral researchers are 1,612 hours (full-time employment) in accordance with the collective agreement. For each academic year/term, you will draw up a work plan that includes all your work tasks as well as your own doctoral studies. In the work plan, the number of teaching hours may amount to a maximum of 5% of the total working time. The Head of Department approves your work plan.  

Occupational health services and insurance  

As a doctoral researcher in employment you are entitled to Hanken’s occupational health services at Terveystalo. You are covered by insurance during working hours as well as on your way to and from work. 

External Funding

Planning and applying for external funding is an important skill that you will need in your future research career. At Hanken we give our doctoral researchers, and researchers support in identifying and applying for suitable funding. 

You can finance your doctoral studies in several ways, for example through: 

• External grant funding from one of the foundations supporting research in areas relevant to Hanken doctoral researchers, for example the Foundation for Economic Education.  
• Employment in an externally funded project; this alternative is particularly relevant for late-stage doctoral researchers. 
• Scholarships from the Funds at Hanken can be applied for if/when these are announced. The scholarships are subject to availability. 

Since you are responsible for applying for funding for your studies yourself, it requires that you are active and take initiative. It is a valuable learning process that prepares you for the challenges you will face as a postdoctoral researcher. But you won’t be left alone, Hanken supports you as a doctoral student throughout the whole process.