INVITATION FOR APPLICATIONS

Postdoctoral researcher

We are looking for a skilled postdoctoral fellow with a background in neuroscience and/or human stem cell based neuronal models at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland  FIMM, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, HiLIFE in the research groups of Professor Aarno Palotie (Research Group Palotie) and Dr. Olli Pietiläinen (Research Group Pietiläinen). The position is part of a research program that aims to discover biological mechanisms in schizophrenia and related neuropsychiatric disorders. The program bridges multidisciplinary group of researchers in the interface of genetic discoveries and multi-omic molecular biology using cell collections from over 6000 sequenced participants. The project combines state-of-art functional genomics and experimental cell biology approaches in human stem-cell derived neuronal models to discover how genetic risk factors identified in the disorders mediate their causative effects in human cells. The Pietiläinen laboratory is based at the Neuroscience Center and has close links with the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (https://www.broadinstitute.org/stanley). The Pietiläinen group is located at the Meilahti biomedical campus in Helsinki and is closely linked with research groups at the HiLIFE Institute for Molecular Medicine https://www.helsinki.fi/en/hilife-fimm   (HiLIFE-FIMM) and the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-biological-and-environmental-sciences. HiLIFE-NC offers a inspiring environment to solve fundamental challenges of brain functions as part of the multidisciplinary HiLIFE infrastructure https://www.helsinki.fi/en/helsinki-institute-of-life-science  at the university of Helsinki.  In Pietiläinen group you will be part of a striving scientific community utilizing state of the art technologies in genomics and cell biology for scientific discoveries of the brain.  

Role description:

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work on a multidisciplinary project that utilizes human induce pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) to model cellular processes involved in neuropsychiatric disorders.  The primary goal is to use known genetic risk variants to identify quantifiable cellular phenotypes that underlie neuropsychiatric disorders. To this end we apply high-throughput multiple omics approaches such RNA sequencing and proteomics that are complemented by experimental molecular cell biology approaches in the in vitro model systems, including cellular assays and gene editing techniques in isogenic cell lines. We are looking for a person for planning, conducting, and co-supervising molecular biology and cellular experiments in human iPSCs. 

Key Requirements

We are looking for a highly motivated and creative person with a primary interest in molecular  cell biology using human iPSC derived neuronal models to discover mechanisms in neurological disorders, and to work in multidisciplinary team of clinical, wet lab, and computational scientists. Candidates should have a PhD in neuroscience or molecular and cell biology with experience in iPSC derived neuronal models. We require previous experience and skills in cell culture, molecular cell biology, iPSC models, and neural differentiation.  The ideal candidate will have experience in these areas, and an interest in translating genetic discoveries into functional biology. Any previous experience in analysing and processing genomic and omic data is considered an advantage.  The position is available from September 2023 onwards, or earlier, if required. It is a two-year fixed-term position, with a possibility of extension. Trial period of 6 months will be applied. 

The salary will be based on level 5 of the demands level chart for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance with the overall starting salary amounting to approximately 3600-4500 EUR per month, depending on the qualifications and previous relevant research experience of the candidate.
Please submit your application via the University of Helsinki Recruitment System by clicking the ‘Apply for the position button’ below. If you need support with the recruitment system, please contact recruitment@helsinki.fi. 

Please attach the following documents to your application as a single PDF file: 
- CV (including publications) 
- cover letter (maximum 1 page) that details your past experience and motivation 
- contact details of at least two references 

The deadline for applications is September 29th, 2023.  Interviews will be conducted either in person or online. For more information on the position, please contact Dr. Olli Pietiläinen (olli.pietilainen@helsinki.fi).

University of Helsinki 

The University of Helsinki (UH), founded in 1640, is a vibrant scientific community of 40,000 students and researchers. It is one of the leading multidisciplinary research universities and ranks among the top 100 international universities in the world. It is currently investing heavily in life sciences research. UH offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development. 

Helsinki Institute of Life Science 

Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) is a new institute established in 2017 that supports high quality life science research across the University campuses and faculties. HiLIFE builds on existing strengths and new recruits and partnerships to create an attractive international environment for researchers to solve grand challenges in health, food, and environment. HiLIFE coordinates research infrastructures in life sciences and provides research-based interdisciplinary training. 

Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland

The Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) is an international research unit focusing on human genomics and personalised medicine at the Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) of the University of Helsinki - a leading Nordic university with a strong commitment to life science research. As part of Academic Medical Center Helsinki in Meilahti campus FIMM collaborates locally with the Faculty of Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital and National Institute for Health and Welfare. FIMM is part of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, composed of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the centres for molecular medicine in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and the EU-LIFE Community

HiLIFE -Neuroscience Center

The Neuroscience Center is an international research unit within Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) of the University of Helsinki, a leading Nordic university with a strong commitment to life science research. The research focus of NC is on translational brain plasticity. We carry out research relevant for the human brain both in health and disease, and during development and aging, by applying versatile approaches and modern technology platforms. NC aims at making fundamental discoveries about brain functions and especially translate research findings into improvements in the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of psychiatric and neurological disorders. The research in NC spans across several scales from stem cell research and molecular neuroscience to systems and cognitive neuroscience in both animal and human models.The research groups of NC conduct research in neuroscience at the highest international level and actively apply the results for the benefit of the society. NC collaborates actively with other units of HiLIFE and faculties of the University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Central Hospital, and Neurocenter Finland.