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.
Join now as a member of Research Professionals!
We are offering all new members their first month of membership free of charge when you join the Union of Researchers Professionals during the period 1 September–31 December 2026. Just fill out a membership application during the aforementioned time period and you will automatically receive your first month free of charge!*
Campaign terms: The campaign is valid from 1 September to 31 December 2026. The free month of membership is the calendar month in which the membership begins. Membership fees will be charged as normal starting from the first day of the following calendar month. If you join the Research Professionals in December, membership fees will begin from the start of the following calendar year.
Read more about Research Professionals’ membership fees here. For more information about joining, membership, or the campaign, please contact our member services.
With the same application you apply the membership of the Research Professionals and one of our member associations.
Please note that membership in the unemployment fund must be applied separately using fund’s own application form.
Once you have completed and submitted the union membership application, you will be shown a link to the membership application of the Unemployment Fund Ote.
The unemployment fund membership fee is included in the membership fee of the Union of Research Professionals.
Membership officially begins, at the earliest, on the date when the written application for membership is submitted. You can also choose a date when you wish your membership to begin. Please note, however, that you cannot join retroactively. Please take notice also about our Membership fees and Membership benefits.
Bridging gaps and fostering collaborations
Melissa Plath works as a project manager at the University of Helsinki. She has experienced the importance of international collaboration on both personal and professional levels.
“Research Professionals’ role is crucial in facilitating dialogue, offering support, and lobbying for governmental reforms to create a more inclusive and supportive academic environment in Finland.”
Providing a sense of safety and belonging
Felix Epp, a postdoctoral researcher at Aalto University’s Department of Design and the Social Computing Group at the University of Helsinki, stands at the forefront of exploring the complex dynamics between humans and technology. He is also devoted to not just advancing his own career but also supporting his peers.
“The union’s role in providing a support system cannot be overstated, particularly in the sometimes isolating world of academia.”
The Union is both a network and arena for me
Anna Laakkonen works as a specialist in information and publishing services at Laurea University of Applied Sciences. Her job description is highly diverse: tasks range from information acquisition and publishing guidance to online journal editorial work and expert tasks related to open science – and everything in between. The Union plays a strong part in reinforcing the communal aspects of Laakkonen’s working life.
“The Union is my arena and a community that provides me with the latest news and information in my field. The supervision of interests is also important; knowing that there is a representative for my specific field in society.”
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.
Current issues
