Doctoral Programme in Engineering and Natural Sciences (TLTO)
The activities of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences are strongly based on natural sciences and their applied fields of science and technology. The research areas of the Doctoral Programme in Engineering and Natural Sciences (TLTO) include bioengineering, energy technology, physics, chemistry, and environmental technology. Research groups conduct internationally high-level computational, theoretical, and experimental research. The programme offers the possibility to obtain degrees of Licentiate of Science (Technology), Doctor of Science (Technology), and Doctor of Philosophy. Doctoral education provides excellent qualifications for a research career and demanding expert positions in business and other sectors of society.
TLTO Doctoral Committee
The Head of the Doctoral Programme in Engineering and Natural Sciences (TLTO) is Professor Marika Kokko. The Head of the Programme oversees the administration, development and coordination of the programme in collaboration with the Doctoral Programme Committee and the Education Specialist of the programme.
Professor Marika Kokko (chair)
Professor Lasse Laurson
Associate Professor Tapio Niemi
Associate Professor Matti Rissanen
Associate Professor Nonappa
Doctoral Researcher Ella Meriläinen
Doctoral Researcher Olga Lem (deputy member)
Education Specialist Kaisu Kalliomäki
Please contact kaisu.kalliomaki [at] tuni.fi if you have any questions about the programme.
Important dates
The meeting dates in autumn 2025 with the respective deadlines for materials are:
18.8.2025 (DL 11.8.2025)
23.9.2025 (DL 15.9.2025)
21.10.2025 (DL 13.10.2025)
18.11.2025 (DL 10.11.2025)
9.12.2025 (DL 1.12.2025)
Forms and other meeting materials are sent to kaisu.kalliomaki [at] tuni.fi.
Doctoral study right applications are submitted via Studyinfo. In the autumn 2025, the application period starts on 1.8.2025 at 8.00 and ends on 28.11.2025 at 15.00.
The meeting dates of Faculty Council can be found can be found here.
Admission
The programme accepts applications throughout the year, and they are reviewed monthly except in July. The candidate must have a master's degree in the research field of the programme and a committed responsible supervisor at Tampere University. The relevant documents in the application are the research plan, study plan, funding plan, and statement by the responsible supervisor. Please note that typically a seed funding of at least 6-12 months is required. The applicant submits the application via Studyinfo. The Doctoral Committee reviews the application, and the Dean makes the official decision of the admission.
Studies
Starting from 1.8.2025, the degree structure will include 30 credits of studies in addition to the dissertation, comprising:
- At least 10 credits of general academic competences (including an orientation course and 3 credits of research ethics)
- At least 10 credits of discipline- and field-specific studies
Curriculum of the Doctoral Programme in Engineering and Natural Sciences
Dissertation
The doctoral thesis consists of an introductory part and scientific publications. The number of publications is typically 3. At most one manuscript can be in the “submitted” phase, i.e., under review in the journal. The recommended maximum length of the summary is 50 pages.
Formally, it is also possible to compile the dissertation in the form of a monograph, but this is strongly discouraged in the Doctoral Programme in Engineering and Natural Sciences.