Doctoral and Postdoctoral researcher or Senior Research Fellow, Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Medicine - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

We are seeking talented scientists for

Doctoral and Postdoctoral researcher or Senior Research Fellow 

positions in the research group of Professor Ali Mobasheri in the Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Medicine. Positions are available in Academy of Finland funded activities:

• FIBROBESITY programme – as part of this university wide program we aim to better understand development of osteoarthritis with underlying obesity and metabolic dysfunctions.
• Academy of Finland, Research project – we are seeking novel therapies for intervertebral disk degeneration with emphasis on the biology of the cartilage end-plate.

The short description of the research group and the Doctoral and Postdoctoral researcher or Senior research fellow positions

Applications are invited for doctoral and postdoctoral researcher or senior research fellow positions in the new research group led by Ali Mobasheri. The new team is funded by the Academy of Finland and the FIBROBESITY programme at the University of Oulu. The successful candidate will work on a project focused on understanding pathogenic mechanisms in osteoarthritis and intervertebral disc degeneration with emphasis on identifying biomarkers and developing next generation biological therapeutics for these diseases.

In the Fibrobesity programme we are especially looking for skills related to 3D cell and tissue cultures and subsequent molecular biology techniques and microscopy. In addition, we will value skills related to metabolomics, RNAseq, proteomics and bioinformatics. In the research project related low back pain we are looking for candidates with experience in translational animal models for intervertebral disk degeneration. In this project skills related biomedical imaging and tissue characterization would be considered beneficial.

We offer you:

• A highly talented research group supported by an excellent network of collaborators in Finland and abroad.
• A research environment with excellent technological facilities and a motivating and supporting international community at the Faculty of Medicine and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu.
• University’s wide variety of support services, allowing you to focus on your studies and research.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits here.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.

Qualification requirements

You must possess a Master’s or Doctoral degree in the field of molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, pharmacology, biomedical sciences, pathology, medicine, veterinary medicine, biomedical engineering or a topic related to arthritis or intervertebral disc degeneration research. Also candidates completing their Master’s or Doctoral degree in spring 2023 will be considered.

Doctoral researcher will carry out doctoral studies in the Health and Biosciences Doctoral Programme of the University of Oulu Graduate School (or one of the other UniOGS Doctoral Programmes, if appropriate) and you must meet the minimal requirements to receive doctoral study rights as defined in UniOGS.

For Postdoctoral researcher position you must have completed the doctoral degree no more than 10 years ago (excluding career breaks). For Senior research fellow position, you must have a competence of docent (i.e. comprehensive knowledge of your own field, a capacity for independent research work as demonstrated by publications or some other manner and good teaching skills). 

You should have strong laboratory skills in cell culture, molecular biology, biochemistry and the use of immunoassays. Experience of working with mammalian cell and tissue culture, animal models and especially synovial joint tissues and the intervertebral disc, as well as skills in bioinformatics would be considered an advantage.

Alternatively, your skill set should include experimental medicine with animal models, tissue processing, histopathology, and biomedical imaging (ultrasound, MRI or CT). Experience in evaluating tissue composition, structure and function would be considered as surplus.

We are looking for candidates with high motivation and ability work independently, as well as in a group. Fluency in both written and spoken English is a pre-requisite. Potential in acquiring supplementary funding and experience in supervision of Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral thesis or other teaching experience will be considered as merits.

Salary

The salary will be based on levels 2-4 for Doctoral researcher, level 5 for Postdoctoral researcher and level 6-7 for Senior research fellow of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component).

The salary will be, depending on the qualifications, approximately 2 400 – 3 000 € for a Doctoral researcher, 3500-3800 € for a Postdoctoral researcher and 3800-5100 € for Senior research fellow per month (before taxes). For candidates completing their Master’s/Doctoral degree in spring 2023, the salary will be based on the lower demand level chart until finishing the degree.

The doctoral researcher is a 4-years fixed-term position and post-doctoral researcher/senior research fellow is a 3-years fixed-term position. Positions can start earliest in March and latest by September 2023 and will have a trial period of 6 months.

How to apply?

Apply online latest on Tuesday 28.02.2023 at 23:59 (Finnish local time). Please include the following attachments in your application (all in English):

• A motivation cover letter (max. 2 pages) summarizing the applicant’s educational background, professional experience and describing why the applicant is interested in this position. A summary of the previous projects should also be included.
• Curriculum vitae following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity: http://www.tenk.fi/en/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae
• A complete list of publications, following the guidelines of the Academy of Finland: https://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply-for-funding/az-index-of-application-guidelines2/list-of-publications/. Please mark the five most important ones.

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please first contact Project Manager Maija Risteli (maija.risteli@oulu.fi).