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27 Best universities for Physics in Finland

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in Finland ranked based on their research performance in Physics. A graph of 5.14M citations received by 207K academic papers made by 27 universities in Finland was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Helsinki

For Physics

2. University of Oulu

3. Aalto University

4. University of Tampere

5. University of Turku

6. University of Jyvaskyla

7. Abo Akademi University

8. University of Eastern Finland

9. Lappeenranta University of Technology

10. University of Vaasa

11. University of Lapland

12. Hanken School of Economics

13. Turku University of Applied Sciences

14. HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences

15. Kajaani University of Applied Sciences

16. University of the Arts Helsinki

17. Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

18. Seinajoki University of Applied Sciences

19. Laurea University of Applied Sciences

20. Arcada University of Applied Sciences

21. Oulu University of Applied Sciences

22. Jyvaskyla University of Applied Sciences

23. Satakunta University of Applied Sciences

24. Novia University of Applied Sciences

25. Centria University of Applied Sciences

26. Savonia University of Applied Sciences

27. Vaasa University of Applied Sciences

The best cities to study Physics in Finland based on the number of universities and their ranks are Helsinki , Oulu , Espoo , and Tampere .

Physics subfields in Finland

Doctoral Admissions

Doctoral studies in finland.

Begin your doctoral journey in Finland by exploring programs through the  Studyinfo.fi portal, or by contacting universities directly for detailed information on doctoral study and research opportunities. Ensure you're familiar with each university's application timelines, eligibility criteria, and specific requirements.

Find more information on Doctoral admissions on each university’s website . 

Funding and positions

You'll find tips on scholarship opportunities for doctoral research in the section Doctoral Funding . Universities might also offer paid doctoral and post-doctoral positions.

For doctoral and post-doc researcher positions, follow academic recruitment platforms and the universities’ own announcements.

Resources for researchers

• Access resources, advice, and guidelines tailored for early career researchers through the Finnish Union of University Researchers and Teachers (FUURT) .
• Explore the Finnish science and innovation landscape, including policy and ongoing research, at Research.fi .

Academic research positions and jobs

• Jobs in Finland / Academic
• Academicpositions.fi

THEORY PROGRAMME

Programme director:  kari rummukainen.

The aim of the Theory Programme is to conduct research of high standard in a few selected subject fields for which HIP can act as a center of excellence in Northern Europe.

Theory Programme is divided into projects, the leaders of which have the responsibility of coordinating the activities in their field.  There is a special emphasis on recruiting graduate students and supporting the career formation of young researchers. International collaboration is a high priority, as witnessed by the strong international ties of the Projects. Collaborative efforts between the Projects are encouraged.

Apart from the EU and Nordic networks, the main external funding source is the Academy of Finland, together with private foundations.

• Fundamental particle interactions beyond the Standard Model (HEP BSM)    Personnel The project has a strong community component, covering the diverse theoretical particle physics research performed at the University of Helsinki. The broad fields of research are matter-antimatter asymmetry and the problem of dark matter.
• Phases of Strongly Interacting Matter (QCD Matter)     Personnel This theory project focuses on studying quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the fundamental theory of strong interactions between the quarks and gluons. The complicated non-abelian nature of QCD requires different approaches to access QCD dynamics in different kinematical domains.
• Theoretical Cosmology      Personnel The goal of the project is to connect the observed properties of our universe to fundamental theories of matter and gravity. We study the origin and evolution of the universe using a complementary set of theoretical methods, opening new connections between particle physics and cosmology.
• Topological Matter      Personnel The notion of symmetry has traditionally served as a guiding principle in understanding ordered phases of matter. In the last two decades, topology has been recognized as complementary but equally fundamental concept.

Old Projects

• High Energy Phenomenology in the LHC Era (2017-2022)
• QCD and Strongly Interacting Gauge Theory (2017-2022)
• Cosmology of the Early and Late Universe (2014-2019)
• Nuclear Structure for Weak and Astrophysical Processes (2017-2019)
• Domain Wall Dynamics (2017-2019)

Space Physics Research – University of Helsinki

Our space research group studies solar-terrestrial physics and space weather. We develop world leading coronal, heliospheric and magnetospheric simulations and utilize observations from a number of ESA and NASA spacecraft.  We aim at a profound understanding of the physics behind space weather phenomena and at using this knowledge to develop services for the society. The philosophy of the group is to pursue a diversity of research methodologies including data analysis and interpretation, theoretical modeling and numerical simulations. We have a Finnish Centre of Excellence  and two active ERC projects. We study

• Solar wind interactions with the Earth’s magnetosphere
• Initiation and evolution of coronal mass ejections
• Physics and dynamics of the Van Allen radiation belts surrounding the Earth
• Reconnection, waves, instabilities and shocks in the near-Earth environment and in the solar wind

List of our currently active research projects

Selection of our past research projects

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PhD position in Solar & Space Physics Research – University of Helsinki, Finland

At the Space Physics Research group at the University of Helsinki we welcome applications for a PhD position to investigate sources of solar open magnetic field. The candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Eleanna Asvestari and will be employed for SOFTCAT, the recently funded Academy of Finland project.

Application deadline: 30th June 2023

More information about the position and the application process can be found here: https://blogs.helsinki.fi/spacephysics/2023/06/03/job-opening-phd-position-in-solar-space-physics-university-of-helsinki-finland/

• Department of Physics
• Faculty of Science
• 1 - 50 out of 291 results
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Veijo Aaltonen

• Doctoral Programme in Atmospheric Sciences

Person: Doctoral Researcher, UH

Amiel Abettan

• Particle Physics and Astrophysics - Doctoral Researcher

Person: U1 Research and teaching staff

Tommy Ahlgren, University lecturer

• Department of Physics - University Lecturer, Title of Docent
• Materials Physics
• Doctoral Programme in Materials Research and Nanosciences - Supervisor for doctoral programme

Person: U3 Research and teaching staff, UH

E. Harriet Åhlgren

• Department of Physics - Academy Research Fellow

Person: U3 Research and teaching staff

Jussi Ahoranta

• Department of Physics - Visiting scholar

Person: Visiting scholar

Matti Ala-Lahti

• Space Physics Research Group

Person: Visiting scholar, Teaching and research personnel

Markku Juhani Alho

• Particle Physics and Astrophysics - Postdoctoral Researcher

Person: U1 Research and teaching staff, U2 Teaching and research staff

Viola Allevato

• Doctoral Programme in Particle Physics and Universe Sciences - Supervisor for doctoral programme

Pejk Alex Amoroso

• Materials Physics - Doctoral Researcher
• Doctoral Programme in Materials Research and Nanosciences

Person: U1 Research and teaching staff, Doctoral Researcher

Seppo V Andersson

• Department of Physics - Laboratory Engineer

Person: M5 Teaching and research support staff

Jaakko Gabriel Annala

• Doctoral Programme in Particle Physics and Universe Sciences

Xavier Prasanna Anthony Raj

Aqsa Ashraf

Eleanna Asvestari, PhD, Physics

• Particle Physics and Astrophysics - Academy Research Fellow

Person: U3 Research and teaching staff, Teaching and research personnel

Markus Battarbee

• Department of Physics - Title of Docent
• Particle Physics and Astrophysics - University Researcher

• Department of Physics - University Researcher, Title of Docent

Marja Bister

• Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) - Senior University Lecturer

Merja Blomberg

• Department of Physics - Senior Engineer, Title of Docent

Anatoli Bogdan

• Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) - Visiting scholar

Michael Boy

• Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) - Professor
• Doctoral Programme in Atmospheric Sciences - Supervisor for doctoral programme

Person: UH , U4 Research and teaching staff

Erik Brücken

Amanda Maria Bruncrona

Person: Visiting scholar, Doctoral Researcher

Jesper Byggmästar

• Materials Physics - Academy Postdoctoral Researcher

Person: U2 Teaching and research staff

José Ricardo Campos Cruz de Carvalho Correia

Marco Cattaneo

Masud Chaichian

• Department of Physics - Prof. emer.

Zhehao Chen

Cecilia Chiaracane

Laurent Chôné

• Materials Physics - Postdoctoral Researcher
• EUROFusion Advanced Computing Hub Finland

Guilherme Ilário Correr

Giulia Cozzani

Farhad Daei

Jani Ilmari Dahl

Duarte Miguel da Silva Feiteira

Amina Djurabekova

Flyura Djurabekova

• Department of Physics - Professor, Title of Docent

Person: U4 Research and teaching staff

Maxime Dubart

Erik Andreas Endres

Giray Enkavi

• Materials Physics - University Researcher

Kari Enqvist

• Helsinki Institute of Physics

Grigori Fedorets

• Planetary-system research

Aslak Joutsi Johannes Fellman

Alexis Finoguenov

• Department of Physics - Professor

• Department of Physics - University Researcher

Harriet Elizabeth George

Person: Teaching and research personnel

Lorenzo Giombi

Mykhailo Girych

Basil Gonsalves

• Niels Bohr Institutet
• PhD fellowship in cond...

PhD fellowship in condensed matter physics

• Kvantefysik

The Niels Bohr Institute invites applicants for a PhD fellowship. The project is part of a coming international research and development project. Start date is (expected to be) 1 June 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

The project will accelerate the green transition through development and tests of new neutron and synchrotron x-ray instrumentation for optimisation of Power-to-X processes and materials. The main contributions to the project from the fellow will be:

• Designing digital twins of the proposed instrumentation in the open-source simulation environments McStas and McXtrace.
• Use the developed models to train machine learning algorithms to make fast predictions of experimental performance and background behaviour.
• Test the predictions against actual measurement of the new instrumentation and use these findings to finetune the algorithms.

The goal is that the developed software will enable faster and more reliable experiment design, and help with data-analysis, thereby improving the impact the designed instrumentation will have on design of new Power-to-X components.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of neutron scattering and instrumentation. Applicants can have a background from condensed matter physics, chemistry, or materials science.

Our group and research- and what do we offer? The group consists of the principal supervisor, an adjunct professor, one post doc, three other PhD students, as well as 10-15 masters and bachelor students.

The group is a part of the Condensed Matter Physics section, Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and access to world leading sources of neutrons and synchrotron X-rays, e.g. in nearby Lund (S).

Principal supervisor   is Professor Kim Lefmann, Niels Bohr Institute, E-mail [email protected] ,   Direct Phone: +45 29250476.

The PhD programme Depending of your level of education, you can undertake the PhD programme as either:

Option A:   A  three year full-time study  within the framework of  the regular PhD programme  ( 5+3 scheme) ,  if you already   have an education   equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Option B: A n up  to five year full-time study programme  within the framework of  the   integrated MSc and PhD   programme  (the 3+5 scheme),  if you do not have an education   equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree   – but you   have   an education   equivalent to a Danish bachelors´s degree .

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Option A: Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme Qualifications needed for the regular programme To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Physics. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see   General assessments for specific countries   and   Assessment database

Terms of employment in the regular programme Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Option B: Getting into a position on the integrated MSc and PhD programme Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme

If you do not have an education   equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree , you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme, if you have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish bachelor´s degree. Here you can find out, if that is relevant for you:   General assessments for specific countries   and   Assessment database . 

Terms of the integrated programme To be eligible for the integrated scholarship, you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programmes in Physics.

Students on the integrated programme will enroll as PhD students simultaneously with completing their enrollment in this MSc degree programme.

The duration of the integrated programme is up to five years, and depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme, please see:   www.science.ku.dk/phd  “Study Structures”.

Until   the MSc degree is obtained, (when exactly two years of the full 3+5 programme remains), the grant will be paid partly in the form of 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: “SU-klip”) plus salary for work (teaching, supervision etc.) totalling a workload of 150 working hours per year. A PhD grant portion is currently (2024) DKK 6.820 before tax. When   you have obtained the MSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities   and tasks in both PhD programmes

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)
• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, possibly one of our collaborators ILL, ESRF, PSI or ESS.
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in Materials Physics, instrumentation, computer simulation, and AI.
• Good language skills
• Experience with instrument simulations and machine learning is a plus.

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Application and Assessment Procedure Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include : 

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• Your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project
• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
• Publication list (if possible)
• Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:  The deadline for applications is 6 January 2025, 23:59 GMT +1 .

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process

After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants   with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models.  The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at   employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held online in the week starting 10 February 2024. Potentially, there may be a physical interview in the week starting 17 February 2024.

• For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.
• General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website:   www.science.ku.dk/phd/

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

<< APPLY FOR THE POSITION ONLINE NOW >>

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.

The deadline for applications is 6 January 2025, 23:59 GMT +1.

Principal supervisor is Professor Kim Lefmann, Niels Bohr Institute, E-mail [email protected] , Direct Phone: +45 29250476

The Niels Bohr Institute as a workplace

The Niels Bohr Institute has a strong cultural heritage accumulated from our 100 years of internationally high level of research and teaching.

The initiator of our Department, Niels Bohr, had an international mindset about scientific collaboration as well as a desire for an open and open-minded atmosphere for all.

100 years later, we still have an informal and open international research environment that strives to promote research, teaching and innovation at the highest level with respect and helpfulness towards students, colleagues and all other stakeholders.

Our students, staff and partners are the source of our success and at the same time our best ambassadors. As a Department, we want to create an inspiring and challenging work environment with a good balance between work and private life.

We want the Niels Bohr Institute to be a place where people are proud of and happy to work, study and collaborate with.

Gender equality and diversity - Niels Bohr Institute

University of Copenhagen as a workplace (ku.dk)