Doctoral Programme in Information Technology

The Faculty of Information Technology at the University of Jyväskylä is the first and largest university level IT research unit in Finland. The Faculty conducts internationally high-level research and trains experts for society's needs. There are five specialisation options in the Doctoral Programme in Information Technology. You can graduate as a Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration), or Doctor of Science (Technology).

The specialisations in the Doctoral Programme in Information Technology are

Information Systems Science
Computational Science
Computer Science and Engineering
Computing and Education
Cognitive Science

The Doctoral Program in Information Technology is led by Professor Heikki Karjaluoto, Vice Dean for Research.

The doctoral programme also has a steering board whose tasks include supporting the operative management of the doctoral programme, monitoring and promoting the quality of doctoral education in the doctoral programme, monitoring the operation and performance of the doctoral programme, and monitoring the progress of dissertation work and doctoral studies in the doctoral programme.

Specialisations

Doctoral graduates in information systems science play a crucial role in designing, implementing, maintaining, evaluating and using information systems that support various functions and processes in both organizational and leisure contexts. The graduates possess a multidisciplinary skill set that combines technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of technology-related human behavior and organizational processes and objectives. They bridge the gap between technological, behavioral and business needs, ensuring that information systems effectively support the goals and objectives of an organization, an individual or a society – or of their networks. Information systems science is closely connected with cybersecurity, digital transformation, digital innovation, digital services, digital work, human behavior, electronic government, digital security, and data analysis.

The target degrees in this specialisation are Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration).

Specialisation Representative is Samuli Pekkola.

Doctoral graduates in computational science see the computer as essentially a research instrument, a tool to gain new knowledge through computation. They apply the tool to empirical data or mathematical models targeting problems from a wide variety of scientific domains. Computational science has close connections with applied mathematics, and, in comparison to computer science, there is a greater emphasis on algorithms that model continuous quantities rather than discrete data structures.

The target degree in this specialisation is Doctor of Philosophy.

Specialisation Representative is Ilkka Pölönen.

Doctoral graduates in computer science and engineering are proficient in designing, implementing, and/or managing complex information and embedded systems, utilizing cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to support and improve working life, organizations, and society. They specialize in one or more fields, such as software engineering, communications and networking technologies, cyber-security, data science, artificial intelligence, and technology management, and are adept at leading software-intensive projects with a focus on scalability, maintainability, and security. Additionally, they have extensive expertise in research methodologies and are capable of conducting innovative studies to advance the field of information technology, especially software and communications engineering and technology management. Possessing critical skills for creating and monetizing innovations, graduates in information technology are typically employed in leadership and specialist positions in academia, research institutes, and technology companies.

The target degrees in this specialisation are Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Science (Technology).

Specialisation Representative is Tommi Mikkonen

Computing provides new possibilities to improve teaching and learning and its research-based assessment. Doctoral training in Computing and Education educates researchers who can incorporate educational technology in different contexts of human learning and investigate education in the domains of computing. Learning can take place in any age group and the contexts include both formal education systems and informal workspace learning.

Computing and Education covers two unique research profiles: Firstly, to address technologically rich learning environments, e.g., in simulation or game-based learning, using multimodal learning analytics techniques. Secondly, to perform discipline-based education research on computing (aka computing education research).

The target degree in this specialisation is Doctor of Philosophy.

Specialisation Representative is Tommi Kärkkäinen.

Doctoral graduates in cognitive science are research professionals who have the understanding and ability to conduct high-level research on the cognitive underpinnings of human interaction with technology. The acquired knowledge and abilities are not dependent on specific technologies, as the interface between humans and technologies is ubiquitous. Doctoral research can focus on basic or applied research (or both) that is relevant for the analysis and development of human interaction with technology.

The target degree in this specialisation is Doctor of Philosophy.

Specialisation Representative is Tuomo Kujala.

Read the story of a doctoral student

"Information systems science is a magnificent field. With its combination of technology, business and people, it highlights a multidisciplinary approach. Working as a researcher of information systems science is motivating because the field is developing rapidly and provides a chance to influence in different domains of our increasingly digital world at individual, organisational and societal levels."

Read Jenny's story

The doctoral degree consists of a doctoral dissertation and additional postgraduate studies.

The doctoral dissertation must be an independent, research-based, scientific study. It represents the student’s ability to independently and critically apply the methods of scientific research and create new scientific information. The research topic of the dissertation has to relate to the focus areas of the Faculty.

You can access doctoral dissertations published at the University of Jyväskylä via the JYX publication archive. By refining your search, you can find dissertations from a specific faculty or research field, for example.

Dissertation requirements at the University of Jyväskylä

More information about the research carried out at the Faculty

Doctoral dissertations published at the University of Jyväskylä (JYX)

In the Doctoral Programme in Information Technology, the doctoral degree includes 30 ECTS credits of doctoral studies in addition to the doctoral dissertation. The curriculum describes the more detailed content, completion methods and learning outcomes of these studies. Each doctoral student makes a personal doctoral study plan based on their career goals.

The doctoral degree (dissertation and 30 ECTS credits of doctoral studies) can be completed with three to four years of full-time work.

Curricula of the Doctoral Programme in Information Technology

Funding

Preparing a funding plan is an essential part of planning doctoral studies, because admission to doctoral studies does not automatically mean that you would get funding from the Faculty. Usually, funding of full-time doctoral studies consists of a combination of many different options. During doctoral studies, there may also be periods when studies are done part-time, for example in addition to other work.

More information on the funding of doctoral studies