Postdoctoral Researcher/Project Researcher, Neurosciences

The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher or Project Researcher position on the Kuopio Campus. The position will be filled rom 1 January 2025 onwards (or as agreed). Please find more information below and submit your application by 7 October 2024.

Role and salary 

The Cellular Neurobiology Lab is led by Professor Katja Kanninen at the A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences at the Faculty of Health Sciences in Kuopio, Finland. We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher or Project Researcher with strong skills in preclinical animal studies for a 2-year position. The successful candidate will join a highly multidisciplinary team working in the fields of neuroscience and environmental science. The project aims to provide new insight into how environmental exposures, such as air pollution, impact the brain.
 
As our new Postdoctoral Researcher or Project Researcher, your main responsibilities will include: 

• conducting research in accordance with your research proposal, 
• participating in the preparation of research projects and grant applications in your field, 
• reporting and producing high-quality scientific publications, 
• planning and conducting studies.  

The position will be filled for a 2-year term from 1 January 2025 onwards (or as agreed). The position will be filled for a fixed term due to it pertaining to a specific project task. A probationary period is applied to all new members of the staff.  

The salary of the position is determined in accordance with the salary system of Finnish universities. The salary comprises two components: a job-related salary element and a personal salary element. In this position, the job-related salary element is based on level 5 of the job requirement level chart for teaching and research staff. The personal salary element can be a minimum of 6% and a maximum of 50% of the above-mentioned sum. Depending on the personal salary element, the salary will be approximately EUR 3,534 - 3,920/month at the beginning of the employment relationship.
 
Our requirements and expectations 
 
Requirements 

• A doctoral degree in a field relevant to the project. 
• The doctoral degree may not have been completed more than five years ago at the time of accepting the position (a net period of time, which does not include parental leaves, military service, etc.). If the person to be appointed has received a doctoral researcher more than five years ago, the position will be filled as a Project Researcher.
• Research experience: Demonstrated experience in research, preferably within the field of brain research and/or air pollution or a closely related area.
• Proficiency in carrying out in vivo studies with living mice and experience in cell cultures and/or immunohistochemistry.
• A strong track record of publications.
• Excellent skills in oral and written English. 

Expectations/advantages

• Experience in international research cooperation   
• Completed FELASA certified animal courses are considered an advantage
• Teamwork skills: An ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary and international team.
• Autonomy: A high capability for problem-solving, independent thought and decision-making, demonstrated ability to lead projects from conception to completion.
• Project and time management skills: An ability to organize work effectively.
• Supervision experience: Previous supervision experience is considered an advantage. The candidate will have the opportunity to supervise MSc and/or PhD students.

Your benefits 
 
You will have access to the university’s staff benefits, including:  

• the opportunity for flexible multi-location work
• extensive occupational health care  
• a broad selection of staff training
• staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants, as well as on a range of other services  
• affordable sports services and a tax-free bike benefit 

Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website.  You will have an opportunity to work in an interesting and meaningful role as part of our international, creative, participatory and inclusive academic community.    

Enjoy your life in Finland! Known for its cleanliness, welfare know-how, modern technology and superb education system, Finland is an exotic and safe country to work in. Please visit the Life in Finland section on our website to learn more.    

How to apply?  

Submit your application by using our electronic application form no later than 7 October 2024 by 24:00 (midnight) Finnish time (UTC+3).
 
Please note that you must include the following appendices in your application: 

• CV (Template for CV, TENK web page)   
• a list of publications (Instructions, Research Council of Finland web page) 
• copies of your academic degree certificates / diplomas, and copies of certificates / diplomas relating to your language proficiency, if not indicated in the academic degree certificates/diplomas  
• a motivation letter: a detailed letter explaining your interest in the project, how you believe you can contribute to our objectives, and why you consider yourself a strong fit for the role
• names and contact details of 2 references 

Questions? 
  
For further information on the position, please contact Professor Katja Kanninen, +358 46 921 0065, katja.kanninen@uef.fi

For further information on the process, please contact HR Controller Sanna Partanen, +35850 338 7534, sanna.partanen@uef.fi

The Faculty of Health Sciences operates at the Kuopio Campus of the University of Eastern Finland. The Faculty offers education in medicine, dentistry, nutrition and pharmacy, as well as in some other central fields of the health care sector. The Faculty is research-intensive, and its internationally recognised research activities are closely linked to the strategic research areas of the University. There are approximately 3 090 degree students and about 580 PhD students in the Faculty. The faculty has 800 staff members.

The University of Eastern Finland (UEF) is the most multidisciplinary university in Finland. Our university employs approximately 3,200 employees, and our community includes approximately 16,000 degree students and 16,000 adult education students. Our campuses are located in Joensuu and Kuopio. We represent the world’s cutting edge of research in many fields and produce research-based knowledge, which is made openly available to benefit everyone. Learn more about our university at www.uef.fi/en. Read also about UEF as a working community and employer and the career stories of our employees.

1. Katja Kanninen, +358469210065
2. Sanna Partanen, +358294458002