Laakkonen lab invites applications for a position of POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER in a 1,5-year project with possibility of extension starting as soon as possible. Trial period of six months will be applied.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The postdoctoral researcher will work on a project that focuses on understanding the crosstalk between brain tumor cells and brain microenvironment via profiling the patient-derived organoids and the patient tumor samples to identify actionable targets for development of innovative therapies. This project is part of the iCAN Flagship program (https://ican.fi).

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

For the postdoctoral researcher position, we are looking for a candidate with a doctorate in Life Sciences. The successful applicant should be well acquainted with animal experimentation and cell and molecular biology. Experience in cancer research and knowhow in bioinformatics as well as acquaintance with imag-ing techniques and preclinical studies are also valuable assets.

In addition, good skills in English language and teamwork are highly appreciated. We are searching for a highly motivated person with publication record indicative of competence in independent scientific thinking and project management.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary will be based on the Universities salary scheme for teaching and research personnel composed of both task specific and personal performance components. The starting gross monthly salary of the post-doctoral researcher will often range 3200–3600 €/month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.
University of Helsinki is an equal opportunity employer and offers an attractive and diverse workplace in an inspiring environment with a variety of development opportunities and benefits. This includes comprehen-sive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, pension benefits, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development, please see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers.

Finland and the Helsinki region possess top expertise in sciences in terms of a vibrant talent pool, leading research, strong support services and functioning collaboration networks. Finland has high quality free schooling (also in English), generous family benefits and healthcare, and was recently ranked as the best country in the world for expat families and in the world’s top ten most livable cities. For more information about working at the University of Helsinki and living in Finland, please see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/university/working-at-the-university.

Please submit your application as a single pdf-file by latest on April 6st, 2023. The document should include a short cover letter describing your areas of expertise and motivation for the position, CV (max 2 pages), and names and contact information of two to three referees. Further information is available from professor Pirjo Laakkonen, tel. +358 50 448 9100 or pirjo.laakkonen@helsinki.fi.

Research Programs Unit of the Faculty of Medicine (https://www2.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-medicine/research-programs-unit) is a top-quality research environment. Unit’s nine research programs comprise groups that integrate clinical, translational and biomedical research. Translational Cancer Medi-cine (CAN-PRO) applies multiple genetic engineering and stem cell methods, RNAi and chemical biology technologies to investigate tumors in their microenvironment, to identify new therapeutic molecules affect-ing genetic driver programs in cancer, and to perform systematic analysis of factors contributing to cellular signaling, reprogramming, migration, and invasion. Research in the Laakkonen lab (https://www2.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/tumor-progression-and-metastasis) focuses on invasion and metastasis of cancer. Currently, our main focus is to understand the molecular mechanisms and pathways underlying the highly invasive and infiltrative growth of human gliomas as well as to develop novel, innova-tive therapies against this deadly disease.