tutkija

Tutkija is Finnish for "researcher" or "investigator." It designates a person who conducts systematic study to advance knowledge in science, humanities, or applied fields and who often works within higher education, research institutes, or industry.

The term derives from the verb tutkia, meaning to investigate or examine, with the agentive suffix -ja. Related words include tutkimus (research), tutkimusala (field of study), and tutkijakunta (the research community).

A tutkija designs studies, formulates hypotheses, collects data, analyzes results, and communicates findings through reports and articles. Collaboration, grant applications, and presentations at conferences are common responsibilities.

Workplaces include universities, research institutes, government bodies, and industry laboratories. In Finland, researchers may hold permanent positions or fixed-term contracts, and many pursue doctoral studies (tohtori) or postdoctoral positions to advance their careers.

Education and career progression typically start with a master's degree; a PhD is often required for independence in research and faculty roles. From there, career paths include postdoctoral researcher, senior researcher, and professor, with publication and funding success shaping trajectory.

In everyday Finnish, tutkija more commonly refers to academic researchers, while law enforcement uses compound terms such as rikostutkija for investigators in criminal cases.