Press release 20.11.2009
Research posts to become employment relationships at sites of research
Researchers who hold public service employment relationships with the Academy of Finland will transfer as of 1 January 2010 to a corresponding employment relationship for the same fixed term with their site of research. The reason for this is the new Act on the Academy of Finland, which enters into force as of the beginning of 2010. The Academy’s research posts will then be discontinued, ending the public service employment relationships for the posts in question. The Academy of Finland will, however, continue to provide the funding for the work of Academy Research Fellows and Academy Professors, and the application and selection processes involved remain unchanged.
Academy Professors and Academy Research Fellows will not be required to submit any application to the Academy of Finland or to their site of research as a consequence of the new legislation. The Academy will grant funding that corresponds to the research post salaries to the sites of research without separate request. However, those who hold research posts will themselves be responsible for giving their tax cards and bank account numbers to their new employers. More specific instructions for those holding research posts are enclosed as an appendix with this press release.
Academy Professors and Academy Research Fellows are required to draw up an employment contract with their site of research, to start on 1 January 2010. From that date on, the terms of employment of Academy Professors and Academy Research Fellows will be determined according to their employment contracts, the relevant collective agreement and the funding decision made by the Academy of Finland. The researchers’ titles, job descriptions and salaries will remain unchanged.
Advance information on funding decisions for sites of research
The sites of research will invoice the Academy for funding towards the salary of Academy Professors and Academy Research Fellows. The full cost model will not apply to the funding in question. Funding decisions concerning employment relationships will rely on the 2010 budget authority and, as a consequence, decisions cannot be made until the beginning of 2010.
However, advance information on the proposed funding decisions prepared at the Academy of Finland will be sent to sites of research at the beginning of December 2009, at the latest. If necessary, sites of research can also apply to the Academy for an advance towards the costs arising from the employment relationships.
APPENDIX:Instructions for those holding Academy of Finland research posts
See also:
• Government bill on the new Act on the Academy of Finland, approved by Parliament (available only in Finnish and Swedish) [laitatko vaikka molemmat linkit lähtemään kielten nimistä??]
• Finlex – Finnish legislation data bank [linkki on: http://www.finlex.fi/en/]
More information from the following people at the Academy of Finland:
• Biosciences and Environment Research Unit: Science Adviser Timo Sareneva, Academy Professorships (tel: +358 9 774 88 243), Senior Science Adviser Tiina Petänen, Academy Research Fellowships (tel: +358 9 774 88 263), Personnel Officer Seppo Heikkilä, matters concerning employment relationships (tel: +358 9 774 88 359)
• Culture and Society Research Unit: Senior Science Adviser Raija Matikainen, Academy Professorships (tel: +358 9 774 88 348), Science Adviser Päivi Messo-Lindén, Academy Research Fellowships (tel: +358 9 774 88 224), Personnel Officer Seppo Heikkilä, matters concerning employment relationships (tel: +358 9 774 88 359)
• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Unit: Senior Science Adviser Ritva Taurio, Academy Professorships (tel: +358 9 774 88 384), Science Adviser Jan Bäckman, Academy Research Fellowships (tel: +358 9 774 88 394), Personnel Officer Raili Sarja, matters concerning employment relationships (tel: +358 9 774 88 281)
• Health Research Unit: Director Mikael Fogelholm, Academy Professorships (tel: +358 9 774 88 328), Senior Science Adviser Saara Leppinen, Academy Research Fellowships (tel: +358 9 774 88 435), Personnel Officer Raili Sarja, matters concerning employment relationships (tel: +358 9 774 88 281)
• Legal Adviser Johanna Korkea-aho (tel: +358 9 774 88 293)
Academy of Finland Communications
Communications specialist Vesa Varpula
tel: 09 7748 8458
vesa.varpula@aka.fi