Games and gamification have been recognized as one of the spearheads of Tampere University. At Research Centre of Gameful Realities, more than a hundred staff members from three faculties are involved in game-related research that encompasses gamification, metaverse, playfulness, game-based learning, gameful and persuasive technologies, gameful design and more. We belong to the top 0,1 % most cited researchers globally, are part of a Flagship and National Roadmap Infrastructure programmes run by the Research Council of Finland, and host both ERC, MSCA-PF and Academy Research Fellowship grantees. Our research excellence stems from capable, diverse and multidisciplinary people, supportive work culture and world-class research equipment. Our home city Tampere has been ranked as the most attractive city in Finland for living and studying.
About MSCA PF
Generally speaking, the fellowships are aimed for excellent postdoctoral researchers searching for international career development options from EU Member States, or Horizon Europe Associated Countries (e.g. United Kingdom, Serbia, Ukraine, Türkiye, Norway and Israel). The fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality, and their standard duration is between 12 and 24 months. Our supervisors (see list below) are looking for ambitious candidates from any disclipine interested in linking games and gamification with e.g. cultural, managerial, educational, technological or design aspects.
Gross salary for a successful MSCA PF candidate typically varies between 5300-5800 € per month. In addition, there is a possibility to apply e.g. family allowance and special needs allowance.
Eligibility & How to Apply
When applying, first check your eligibility and process requirements from here. Then communicate with a suitable supervisor about your research and fellowship idea, our candidates in games and gamification are listed below. Do this (also) formally by sending him/her/them a Letter of Intent through email with
- max one-page description of your project idea,
- max two-page CV and
- a confirmation that you meet the above listed eligibility criteria.
The supervisors will take it from there. For general questions, contact Tampere University Preaward Team preaward [at] tuni.fi with the subject “MSCA PF”. If a match between you and a supervisor is found, a specific masterclass to support your application is arranged in May.
Our Supervisor Candidates
emails firstname.lastname [at] tuni.fi
General (any topic)
- Professor Juho Hamari
[Video] [Google Scholar]
Data and software
- Senior Research Fellow Timo Nummenmaa
[Google Scholar]
Education
- Professor Kristian Kiili
[Video][Google Scholar] - Associate Professor Tomi Jaakkola
[Selected publications] - Associate Professor Carita Kiili
[Google Scholar] - Assistant professor Muhterem Dindar
[Video][Google Scholar]
Management, Business, Economics
- Professor Henri Pirkkalainen
[Video] [Google Scholar] - Associate professor Nannan Xi
[Video][Google Scholar]
Technology and Design
- Associate Professor Johanna Virkki
[Video][Google Scholar] - Assistant professor Oğuz “Oz” Buruk
[Video][Google Scholar]
Urban and Augmented spaces
- Professor Mattia Thibault
[Video][Google Scholar]
Important Dates
- April 27th, 2026: Deadline for the Letter of Intent expressing your interest
- April 9th, 2026: Call opens
- May-June 2026: Invitational Masterclass starts
- September 9th, 2026: Call deadline
- February 2027: Call results
- May 2027: First projects start