Riikka Korja is a professor of developmental psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Turku. She is the principal investigator for the Child Development and Parenting sub-study in the FinnBrain project and the group leader for the Centre of Excellence in Learning Dynamics and Intervention Research (InterLearn) at the University of Turku consortium. Additionally, Korja is the senior investigator in the research on digital developmental monitoring of preterm infants (ePIPARI, pediatric diseases at TYKS).

In her research, Korja aims to comprehensively investigate both protective and vulnerable factors in child development, as well as the underlying mechanisms of child development. The Child Development and Parenting sub-study of the FinnBrain project explores the psychological development of children and the environmental factors and biological processes influencing this development. Of particular interest is the development of a child's self-regulation.

In the CoE InterLearn the focus is on understanding the cognitive, and socio-emotional developmental pathways associated with learning difficulties and the mental health problems linked to them. This research also investigates the environmental factors connected to these pathways and how they explain later-life functioning and well-being.

Korja is the team leader for clinical education in the department of psychology. As the responsible teacher, she is involved in courses such as Psychological Interventions and Psychotherapy, Developmental Psychology II, and Early Development and Family Relationships. Additionally, Korja acts as the responsible professor in the three-year professional training program for Children and Youth Specialized Psychologists in PSYKONET.