The department of computer science awards annually two members of its staff for excellence in research.  One award is given to a "junior researcher," who is a PhD student whose studies and research show good progress.  The second award is for a "senior researcher," who after achieving a doctoral degree has already established his or her independent position in the international scientific community; although the award is mainly intended to encourage researchers at the early stages of their academic careers, it can also be given in recognition of particular achievements later in one's career.

The awards are decided by the Department council based on a proposal prepared by the Deputy Head of Department Jyrki Kivinen and Professor Veli Mäkinen. The awards will be presented at the department's traditional Christmas Coffee ceremony.

Any member of the department, staff or student, may make a nomination for the senior researcher award.  Nominations made jointly by several members of the department are also welcome.  For junior researcher, the nomination should be made by the advisor of the nominee.  Nominations with a short motivation (at most one page) should be sent to Jyrki Kivinen (Jyrki.Kivinen@cs.helsinki.fi) no later than 17 November 2011.
The selection criteria for senior researcher include

• amount, quality and publication forums of scientific work
• invited talks and popularisation of results
• membership in editorial boards and program committees
• activities as conference organiser, project leader, advisor of PhD students and scientific expert.

The selection criteria for junior researcher include

• amount, quality and publication forums of (independent) scientific work
• grade level and general progress of graduate studies
• future potential.

The awards have been given annually since 2003.  The most recent
recipients are

• 2008: Mikko Koivisto (senior), Jukka Suomela (junior)
• 2009: Teemu Roos (senior), Niko Välimäki (junior)
• 2010: Valentin Polishchuk (senior), Mikko Pervilä (junior).