Career stories

The University of Eastern Finland’s campuses in Joensuu and Kuopio are home to about 3,400 experts in different fields. All in all, there are more than 250 different professional titles in our work community. We are also a genuinely international academic community: our employees hail from about 80 different countries.

On this website, our employees talk about their work and about the university as a work community. Join us!

Creativity and freedom as driving forces in research

Tuulikki Halla transitioned from a long career at Metsähallitus to become a doctoral researcher in Forest Sciences and a project researcher in the UNITE Flagship Programme.

Doctoral researcher pursues a career in medical physics

Mary Joy Erojo aims to enhance cardiac diagnostic imaging using physics and artificial intelligence to improve people’s lives.

Johanna Uotinen syksyisen ruskan keskellä.

Human scientists understand of our changing and complex world

According to University Lecturer Johanna Uotinen, graduates in the human sciences are specialists with flexibility and broad-based expertise, capable of mastering large entities.

Doctoral researcher Fatemeh Maleki Almani

Mathematics comes alive in inverse problems research

Fatemeh Maleki Almani wanted an international career and applied to the DREAM Doctoral Education Pilot in Finland.

Work for public health

Sohaib Khan, a University Lecturer in the Master's Degree Programme in Public Health, calls for greater cooperation between universities and employers.

An international Master’s degree programme served as a stepping stone to PhD studies

Interest in the laws of science led Akuroma George to do research in technical physics.

An international career in gerontology led to a professorship in Eastern Finland

Honglin Chen, a Professor in Gerontological Social Work, studies how technology could enhance the well-being of older adults and support healthy aging in place.

Doing research is rewarding and requires passion

Writing her dissertation in social psychology, Doctoral Researcher Ella Heimonen works in a research project as part of an international network.

Jussi Hyvärinen’s work is fuelled by science and art

Jussi Hyvärinen, a library information specialist and an award-winning poet, understands the languages of science and art.

Coaching for success in international funding programmes

Research Manager Eevi Laukkanen re-joined the academic community in Finland after years spent abroad.

Precision and creativity go hand in hand when working in a scientific library

Senior Information Specialist Tuulevi Ovaska develops communications at the University of Eastern Finland Library and provides information retrieval support for the academic community.

Norssin hyvinvointivalmentaja koulun pihalla.

A school coach always has time for pupils

Lower secondary school pupils can reach Inkeri Tiitinen at school and on social media.

Historia- ja maantieteiden laitoksen johtaja Pieter Dhondt polkupyöränsä kanssa.

A close-knit scientific community enables direct interaction

Having a background in university history, Head of Department Pieter Dhondt plays a role in shaping the future of the university.

A systems analyst’s trouble-shooting is supported by a good team

Working in the customer service team at Digital Services, Tommi Eskelinen helps to resolve even the trickiest problems.

Big employer, good benefits

Working in Digital Services of the University of Eastern Finland, Mari Lackman is pleased with the university's equal and open-minded atmosphere.

Tomi Oinas gets to develop research methodology on a full-time basis

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies’ very own Staff Scientist is tasked with developing the faculty’s data-intensive research infrastructures and methodological expertise.

Everyday life in the teacher training school is diverse

For teacher Mari Hakanen at the Rantakylä Teacher Training School, the success of her pupils and smooth interaction with them is an important motivator.

An interdisciplinary community sparks innovative research

Professor of Chemical Ecology James Blande and his research group at the University of Eastern Finland focus on plant stress responses and plant-to-plant interactions.

Drawn to neuroscience by curiosity, brought to Kuopio by lucky chance

Associate Professor Alina Solomon conducts international brain research at the University of Eastern Finland – while enjoying the quiet and nature.

An IT Solutions Architect likes the company of people best

Successful process and technology solutions bring added value to the everyday life of their users. For Tomi Kontio, that’s rewarding.

New staff scientist role allows Kimmo Jokivarsi to focus on imaging equipment for research

The University of Eastern Finland has recruited new staff scientists who specialise in research infrastructure and research methodology.

An electronics tinkerer builds, maintains and teaches – and busts some myths along the way

Senior Laboratory Technician Tommi Itkonen found his field through studies in physics and interest in electronics.

Smooth transition from studying law to teaching and studying it

Anu Puustinen worked in the restaurant industry for a long time before finding a new career path, thanks to studies in law.

From chauffeuring the Rector to keeping the keys to the university

Facility Secretary Kjell Grinden enjoys the university's international atmosphere and concrete, varied work.

Making teachers’ voice better heard

The Facilitators are working to reform the university's teaching in a more blended and flexible direction. One of them is University Lecturer in English Susanna Kohonen at the Language Centre.

Learn more about our new professors

Computational engineering, high performance computing and AI are transforming groundwater research

Associate Professor Timo Lähivaara studies how physical models and artificial intelligence can support the assessment of groundwater resources. His professorship was established with the support of endowments from industry.

Minna Purokivi appointed as Professor of Respiratory Medicine

The progression of interstitial lung diseases can often be slowed down, if treatment is initiated early, says Minna Purokivi, Professor of Respiratory Medicine.

Juhana Venäläinen appointed as Professor of Cultural Studies

Juhana Venäläinen describes himself as a numbers-loving humanist whose research interests revolve around cultural environments.

Jonna Koponen appointed as Professor of Marketing

Digital transformation has the potential to reform sales management, says Jonna Koponen, the University of Eastern Finland’s newly appointed Professor of Marketing.

Timo Leppänen appointed as Professor of Biomedical Engineering, especially sleep analytics

With early monitoring and identification of symptoms, sleep disorders could be treated more effectively.

Tiina Sotkasiira appointed as Professor of Social and Public Policy

Information and its reliability play a crucial role in shaping people’s sense of security and capacity to act in various crises and conflicts, says Tiina Sotkasiira, the University of Eastern Finland’s newly appointed Professor of Social and Public Policy.

Michael Ristaniemi appointed as Professor of Practice at the University of Eastern Finland

The newly appointed Professor of Practice will strengthen the link between European corporate law and sustainability.

Elisa Tiilikainen appointed as Professor of Social Work

Seeing people with care needs as a burden dominates the discourse around older adults, Professor Elisa Tiilikainen says.

Marja Härkänen appointed as Professor of Nursing Science

Patient safety incidents and near misses are a reality in patient care. “With people, there’s always the possibility of human error. But we can learn from our mistakes”, says Professor of Nursing Science Marja Härkänen.

Mikko Karttunen appointed as Professor of Computational Engineering

"AI is a bigger change than the internet," Karttunen says. He will start as Principal Investigator at the ELLIS Institute Finland and as Professor and PS Fellow at the University of Eastern Finland in September 2025.

News

Badar Khan’s Story: Studying Forest Sciences at UEF

University of Eastern Finland awarded a record number of more than 200 doctoral degrees in 2025

What ice-fishing competitions reveal about human decision-making

Events

Georgios Fragkoulis, MSc: Doctoral defence in Biology, Joensuu

The Finnish Cancer Center FICAN science webinar

UNITE Winter webinar: The effects of repeated nitrogen fertilization in the boreal Scots pine forest

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