“The Union is both a network and arena for me”
Anna Laakkonen, an information specialist, views the Union of Research Professionals as a vital community. Anna works as a specialist in information and publishing services at Laurea University of Applied Sciences. The Union has offered her an arena for professional interactions and networking. Anna is clear on what types of values she wants to uphold as part of the scientific community.
Providing a sense of safety and belonging
Bridging gaps and fostering collaborations
Melissa Plath works as a project manager at the University of Helsinki. She has personal experience with the challenges and hurdles that international researchers are confronted with when settling in Finland. The Union of Research Professionals has offered Melissa a platform and community through which she can help to improve the conditions of international researchers in Finland.
The Union is a necessary bridge between individuals and the university
Panu Minkkinen serves as Professor of Jurisprudence at the University of Helsinki. He feels that the identity of an academic is, however, more important to him than titles and disciplines. The Union of Research Professionals offered Panu a home base when he returned to Finland from his positions abroad. Panu feels that the Union plays an important role as the defender of researchers and teachers in Finland.
Researchers, teachers and academic experts – welcome to the Union!
The Union of Research Professionals (Tieteentekijät) is the trade union for those working in research and science, actively advocating for better working conditions and research funding. Research Professionals is the right union for all researchers and university teachers regardless of their career stage.
In Finland, being a member of a trade union is common and beneficial. Trade unions offer various forms of support, including professional training, career coaching, and legal advice.
- Professional Support: Access training and career coaching to advance your career in Finland.
- Legal Assistance: Receive legal advice and support regarding your rights and employment conditions.
- Advocacy: Benefit from the Union’s efforts to improve working conditions and research funding.
- Community: Join a supportive network of professionals in research and academia.
Within the universities, the Union is present to support and assist its members with an extensive and competent network of Union shop stewards and advisors right within the workplace, a benefit not provided by other unions. The Union negotiates with the Employers’ Association of Universities in Finland on the wages and other employment terms and conditions of university personnel. The Union actively lobbies, both publicly and through its interest groups, on issues such as the position of fixed-term employees, the status of early career researchers and grant researchers, the employment of doctorate holders, and the funding of universities and science in general.
You can complete an online membership application here.
With the same application you apply to become a member of Research Professionals, one of our member associations and the Unemployment Fund for Education and Science.
Membership benefits
We offer tailored legal advice and career services specifically for those working in science and research. As our member, you will have access to benefits such as insurance and legal protection, training and career counseling, and extensive leisure-time benefits.
Membership fees
The membership fee for Research Professionals is generally 1% of the pre-tax salary. There is a separate fixed membership fee for grant researchers, students, and retirees. Both the percentage-based and fixed membership fees include the unemployment fund membership fee.
Updating membership details
Please inform us of any changes to your membership details, such as a changed employment relationship or contact information, so we can look after your interests.
An extensive network in 12 cities
Through our 16 member associations, the Union of Research Professionals has local activities in Espoo, Helsinki, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Oulu, Tampere, Turku, Vaasa and Rovaniemi. Three of our member associations are nationwide: the Information Academics (Informaatioalan Akateemiset, INA), the Finnish Association of Academic Researchers (Suomen akateemisten tutkijoiden yhdistys, SATY) and the Suomen ammattikorkeakoulujen tieteentekijät, Samkot ry.
You can join the Research Professionals through one of its many member associations.
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