The Thule Institute is a research centre of the University of Oulu which focuses on the multidisciplinary research and doctoral education in the field of environmental and northern issues and natural resources.

The basis of research consists of a multidisciplinary research programme and research groups working in the programme.

Thule Institute has a doctoral programme which is a part of the University of Oulu's UniOGS graduate school. Doctoral education is connected to the research programme of the Institute.

The Institute takes part in national and international research strategy work, aimed at focusing research and teaching into areas that are important and topical from the point of view of society. The Institute also arranges multidisciplinary seminars and courses and provides information on environmental and northern issues.

Thule Institute has four units which are specialized in the research themes of the Institute:

• Centre for Arctic Medicine (health and well-being)
• NorNet (environmental research network)
• NorTech Oulu (environmental technology)
• Oulanka research station (multidisciplinary environmental research and education).

Innovation centre on environmental and energy research, Centre for Environment and Energy (CEE) has an office at the Thule Institute.