Saegis Campus

The Research Program Unit at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki invites applications for a fixed-term  Project Planner position at the Meilahti Campus, starting June 2026 (or as agreed) for an initial period of 12 months, with the possibility of extension by agreement. We are seeking a highly motivated project planner to join an international team. Project Planner will support the Principal Investigator in matters related to grant application writing, project management and laboratory management. Job description The goal of this position is to provide high-level project planning, coordination, and research administration support to the Principal Investigator and research team. You will help ensure that projects progress efficiently from idea generation and grant preparation through implementation, compliance, and publication. The role is designed to strengthen the lab’s capacity for competitive grant success, high-quality project delivery, and timely dissemination of results. Your responsibilities will include: Grant support: Coordinate grant applications, support proposal writing/editing, and assist with reporting, milestones and deliverables;  Project management: Organize meetings, document decisions and action points, and proactively follow up on bottlenecks across parallel projects; Governance and compliance: Coordinate ethics applications and amendments; manage and track agreements and data/sample transfers (e.g., MTA/DTA), in line with institutional policies and GDPR requirements; Collaboration coordination: Serve as a key coordination point for collaborations with clinicians, biobanks, and core facilities; support logistics for data/sample access and transfers; Publication support: Support projects toward manuscript completion by coordinating inputs, timelines, revisions, and submission steps; assist with dissemination planning when needed; Lab operations: Support lab management tasks such as documentation systems, onboarding routines, and practical coordination that improves efficiency and reproducibility. The content of the position may be adjusted based on the selected candidate’s expertise. Requirements We are looking for a candidate with: A PhD degree in one of the fields: Systems Biology, Immunology, Metabolism, RNA biology Experience in research project preparation, administration, or research support roles Ability to work independently and professionally on multiple parallel processes, supporting the PI and the team Excellent scientific writing, communication, interpersonal, and networking skills Excellent command of English The role also involves collaboration with our partners worldwide. The chosen applicant is expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki. What we offer Depending on the appointees’ qualifications and experience, the salary of the Project Planner will be ca. 3900 €/month. A six-month trial period will be applied. The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, unemployment and pension fund, a generous holiday package, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers). How to apply Applications should be submitted through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the "Apply now" button. Internal applicants (i.e., current employees of the University of Helsinki) submit their applications by using the “Employee login” button. The application needs to include the following appendices: CV including names of two (2) referees with their contacts Motivation letter  The closing date for applications is 29th May, 2026. The position will be filled on a rolling basis as soon as a suitable candidate is found. For further information on the position, please contact Dr., PI Ping Chen, ping.chen@helsinki.fi.  If you need technical support with the recruitment system or additional information about the application process, please contact HelsinkiUni Help, uni-help@helsinki.fi. About us The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Helsinki is committed to high-quality medical research and research-based education across medicine, dentistry, psychology, and logopedics, including an international Master’s Programme in Translational Medicine. The faculty also contributes actively to healthcare expertise and ethical discourse, aiming to be a leading multidisciplinary institution. In addition to its research and teaching activities, the faculty serves as a significant expert organisation in the healthcare sector and contributes to the discourse on ethics in the field. The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Helsinki constitutes the academic medical centre together with HUS Helsinki University Hospital and the Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE). This medical centre has been successful in international comparisons, ranking among the top 10 medical campuses in Europe and the top 50 globally. The faculty aims to be one of the best medical research faculties in the world, while reinforcing its status as a distinguished institution of multidisciplinary education in healthcare.

As a University of Applied Learning, SIT collaborates closely with industry partners in our research pursuits. Our research staff can gain practical research skills that are directly relevant to industry needs while working on projects at SIT. Key Responsibilities Design and develop a prototype of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) model with deep learning algorithm to detect, distinguish and identify complex sensing signals in  maritime space. Conduct literature review on deep learning algorithm for complex signals. Design and develop a prototype for maritime sensing Conduct trials and experiments to determine the success of the prototype, Propose and develop trials and experiments acceptance test steps/procedures,  Process and analyse the data gathered from the trial and experiments. Prepare the final report on the trial and experiments conducted with details covering findings and analysis, as well as the recommended way ahead. Participate in and manage the research project with Principal Investigator (PI), Co-PI and the research team members to ensure all project deliverables are met. Carry out Risk Assessment, and ensure compliance with Work, Safety and Health Regulations. Work independently, as well as within a team, to ensure proper operation and maintenance of equipment. Job Requirements Have relevant competence in the areas of sensing, system modeling, simulation testing for both hardware and software, experimental prototyping and testing. Have a degree in engineering / applied physics, electrical, mechanical, marine, computer engineering or equivalent. Key Competencies Good knowledge in system modeling, programming, simulations, data analytics, experimental prototype. Possess strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Show strong initiative and take ownership of work.

Schemes of Service: Research Division: Food, Chemical and Biotechnology Employment Type: Fixed Term As a University of Applied Learning, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) works closely with industry partners to deliver translational, impact-driven research. This role supports applied food processing research projects with strong industry relevance, focusing on product development, process optimization, and food characterization. Key Responsibilities Lead and manage fundamental research projects on mechanical and textural characterisation of meat and novel foods in close collaboration with Principal Investigators, co-PIs, and academic partners from NTU and A*STAR. Establish a nanomechanical and macro textural foundation for small sample cultivated meat using advanced tools such as AFM, micro-indentation, and micro texture analysers (e.g., TA.XT plus), Confocal Laser Microscopy Imaging etc for the purpose of quantification of hardness, chewiness, springiness, fracture stress, and fracture strain for small sizes of food samples Compare the feasibility, resolution, and accuracy of AFM, indenters, and micro-TA probe type systems specifically for characterising cultivated meat, contributing method development knowledge to the field. Deploy dynamic oral processing simulation platforms, including tribology, Kramer shear cell testing, and mastication simulators to investigate breakdown characteristics, brittleness vs. plasticity, and frictional/lubrication properties. Generate mechanistic insights linking textural dynamics to sensory perception. Integrate multi-modal datasets from different mastication simulators into a 3D Principal Component Analysis (PCA) space, enabling quantitative comparison between cultivated meat and conventional animal meat, and identify key textural descriptors defining equivalence. Develop novel experimental or analytical methodologies to address current gaps in small sample meat texture characterisation and oral processing simulation. Consolidate experimental data into robust evidence packages for academic publications, grant reporting, and translational research decisions. Coordinate project timelines, milestones, resource allocation, procurement, and compliance with institutional and ethical requirements. Prepare and submit high quality scientific manuscripts to peer reviewed journals, as well as technical reports, progress updates, and final deliverables for funding agencies. Engage actively with internal and external academic collaborators, organise progress meetings, and contribute to technology transfer where relevant to open science or public benefit. Present research outcomes at international conferences, academic seminars, and stakeholder meetings, and contribute to outreach through approved communication channels. The candidate is to communicate with all relevant internal and external stakeholders as required to meet the project deliverables. Any other adhoc duties assigned by supervisor. Job Requirements PhD or Doctoral Degrees in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, Physics, Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, Biomaterials, Biological Engineering or a closely related discipline. Strong background in mechanical properties of soft matter, food texture analysis, or biopolymer/tissue mechanics, with demonstrable experience in cultivated meat, plant-based meat analogues, or animal tissue characterisation. Hands on experience with mechanical characterisation tools (AFM, indentation, DMA, texture analysers, rheometer and tribology, CLSM, low field NMR) and a solid understanding of fracture mechanics (stress/strain, hardness, chewiness, springiness). Proficiency in oral processing simulation techniques such as tribology, Kramer shear testing, and/or mastication simulators, with the ability to interpret breakdown and lubrication behaviour in a mechanistic context. Competence in multivariate statistical analysis, particularly PCA, 3D PCA, or other dimensionality reduction methods for integrating complex, multimodal datasets. Experience working with limited sample volumes, and ability to design robust experimental protocols for small batch cultivated meat production. Evidence of scientific productivity, including first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, or equivalent outputs. Ability to translate complex experimental outcomes into testable hypotheses and conceptual frameworks, rather than product-focused deliverables. Strong project ownership and autonomy, with capacity to balance scientific depth, reproducibility, and methodological rigour. Excellent scientific writing skills, with proven ability to prepare manuscripts, funding proposals, and technical documentation. Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and capable of working independently as well as collaboratively within multidisciplinary academic teams when under stress. Good communication and stakeholder management skills, including liaison with lab and equipment managers, finance and procurement team, equipment vendors, and external academic partners.