Don’t go it alone. Join HUART.
We are the trade union association for academic staff at the University of Helsinki. We are doctoral and grant researchers, lecturers, professors, and other service and administrative professionals. Together we have a stronger voice on pay, contracts and working conditions.
Join by 31 December 2026 and your first month is free!
Why join HUART and the Union for Research Professionals?
HUART is the largest union association at the University of Helsinki. Our shop stewards and board members are members of staff at the University, just like you. We raise members’ issues directly with the University, and we campaign on local issues, such as better contracts for grant researchers.
When you join HUART, you also become a member of Tieteentekijät, the Union of Research Professionals.
Nationally, Tieteentekijät negotiates the collective agreement that sets pay rises, working hours and leave across Finnish universities. We also give you free legal advice, insurance and career services, and lobby national decision-makers on research funding and working conditions.
The more of us who join, the stronger our voice. Academic work can be precarious and isolating, but you don’t have to deal with it alone.
| Benefit | What you get |
|---|---|
| Legal advice and protection | Free advice on your contract, pay and rights at work, plus a legal protection benefit if a dispute goes further. More |
| Shop stewards at UH | Local, confidential support when something goes wrong at work, from people who know the University. |
| Pay and working conditions | Your salary increases, working hours and leave are negotiated in the universities’ collective agreement. |
| Unemployment security | Earnings-related unemployment benefit through the Unemployment Fund Ote, included in your fee. |
| Insurance | Free-time travel and accident insurance (Chubb) for members under 68, and a discount on life insurance. More |
| Career support | Career coaching, training and courses to develop your career and research. |
| Community and events | Socials and events, such as our Summer Party, Vappu celebrations, and New Member Welcome events. |
| Campaigns that matter | A voice in local campaigns, such as fair contracts for grant researchers. |
| Extras | Acatiimi magazine, Member+ leisure discounts and better housing loan terms with Danske Bank. |
How much does it cost?
For most people, membership costs 1% of salary, and never more than €600 a year. One fee covers HUART, Tieteentekijät and the Unemployment Fund Ote.
| Your situation | Membership fee |
|---|---|
| Salaried | 1% of gross salary (minimum €96, maximum €600 a year) |
| Grant researchers and other periods without salary (e.g. family leave, study leave, unemployment) | €8 a month |
| Students and pensioners | €60 a year |
Offer: join by 31 December 2026 and your first month is free.
You can pay by monthly invoice or have the fee deducted from your salary.
Find out more about our fees with our fee FAQ.
How to join
Joining only takes a few minutes online. Anyone with an academic degree who teaches, researches or works at the University of Helsinki can join us, at any career stage.
- Fill in the online application (available in English, Finnish or Swedish) at liity.tieteentekijat.fi
- Choose Helsingin yliopiston tieteentekijät (HUART) as your member association.
- Join the Unemployment Fund Ote. You’ll get a link after submitting your application.
- Choose how to pay: by monthly invoice or deducted from your salary.
- You’re a member. Membership starts on the day you apply, or on a later date you choose. We will be in touch shortly after joining with all the information you need to get involved.
Once you’ve joined, see the checklist for new members.
Questions? Contact member services, or talk to us at a HUART event.
Already a member?
Update your details, report a grant or leave, or check your payments in e-services. For anything else, contact member services.
Why I joined a trade union in Finland – and why I have never regretted it
“I believe that joining the union was one of those early decisions that helped me not only to navigate the Finnish academic system more effectively, but also to feel more confident within it. This is why today I would encourage international colleagues not to postpone becoming acquainted with the union. For me, it became part of a broader realization that in Finland, employment relations are built not only on individual responsibility, but also on a culture of collective support.”
