Doctoral Researcher, Research unit of Clinical Medicine

Applications are invited for a full-time

Doctoral researcher

position starting at the earliest on 01.03.2025 in a research project of Professor Terhi Ruuska-Loewald and Associate Professor Mysore Tejesvi in the Research Unit of Clinical Medicine and Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Medicine. The applied position is under Biocenter Oulu, which offers a high-level international multidisciplinary environment supplied with cutting-edge infrastructures.

The project is supervised by Terhi Ruuska-Loewald and Mysore Tejesvi and focuses on the the Composition and Functions of Early Life Microbiome-Derived Extracellular Vesicles (EVs).

The University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS) provides the framework and conditions for high-quality, research-driven doctoral education at the University of Oulu, and field-specific doctoral training courses are provided by its multidisciplinary doctoral programs.

About the job

We are seeking for a motivated and skilled doctoral researcher to join our research team investigating the composition and functions of the early life microbiome and microbiome-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). This project aims to provide fundamental insights into how early life microbiome compositions and EVs contribute to health and disease. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team of microbiologists, bioinformaticians, and clinicians.

The doctoral researcher will focus on characterizing the gut microbiota derived bacterial and fungal extracellular vesicles in early life and tracking their dynamic changes over time and in response to environmental factors. This includes isolating and characterizing microbiome-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), with a focus on molecular and functional profiling through techniques like proteomics and lipidomics. The candidate will apply bioinformatics tools and statistical analysis to interpret large-scale microbiome datasets, integrating multiple 'omics' to explore correlations between microbiome composition.

Additionally, the doctoral researcher will work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research team, sharing findings in group meetings, preparing presentations for scientific conferences, and contributing to peer-reviewed publications and project reports. Experience with Python and R for bioinformatics, data visualization, and statistical analysis is highly desirable. Knowledge of bioinformatics tools such as QIIME2, DADA2, or similar pipelines for microbiome analysis is advantageous.

What We Offer

• We offer you a position in a highly talented research group, working to solve globally significant research problems
• The university´s wide variety of support services is at your disposal, allowing you to focus on your studies and research
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits.
• Development and career options of the big organization.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• We have a HR Excellence in Research-quality label which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers.
• Our Buddy Program and Spouse Network support you and your close ones in settling into Oulu.
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, an excellent education system, and a competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Requirements

To successfully occupy the position of a doctoral researcher, you must possess a Master’s degree or an equivalent degree (e.g. licentiate) preferably in biochemistry, biology, medicine, pharmacy, physiology or equivalent. We will also consider applicants who are currently conducting their Master’s thesis study if they earn their Master´s degree before starting the position in 2025.

Degree must have been completed with good grades (at least 60% of maximum grade, or 3/5, in both taught studies and the Master’s thesis) by Feb 2nd, 2025 (or latest before the job contract starts). Excellent writing and fluency in English is expected. The doctoral researcher position is intended for an Early Stage Researcher (ESR) who, according to the ”European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers”, is defined as a researcher in the first three years (full-time equivalent) of his/her research activity, including the period of research training. Applicants will be either starting their doctoral training, or will have completed no more than two full years of training (adjusted for possible previous part-time status) at the time the position is filled.

We hope you have previous experience within biomedical research in cell and molecular biology. We hope you are familiar with the basics of microbiology and microbiome research. We expect you to be active and able to pursue independent research.

The selected candidate will carry out their 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 must meet the minimal requirements to receive doctoral study rights as defined inUniOGS website.

Salary

The salary of the selected doctoral researcher will be set on levels 2 – 4 of the national salary scale for the teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a supplementary remuneration will be given for personal achievement and performance (max. 46.3%). The total salary for these levels (before tax) currently ranges from about 2600 to 2900 Euros/month for full-time employment, depending on qualifications, performance and progress of the doctoral studies. A trial period of 6 months is applied for the position.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted using the electronic application form by February 7^th, 2025 (23:59 Finnish local time), with the following attachments as three separate pdf files (please note that the online system has a maximum size limit of attachments):

1. Complete CV containing contact information of preferably two referees and a list of journal and conference publications (if any). A recommended CV template can be found on the webpage of Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity 
2. Motivation letter describing prior knowledge, research interests and career plans (1-2 pages)
3. Certificates/Diplomas: Scanned electronic copies of diplomas and transcripts of the records of relevant previous degrees (MSc and BSc or equivalent). If the original documents are not in English, Finnish or Swedish, each document must be accompanied by an official certified translation into English or Finnish.

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Other relevant information

The eligible applicants fitting best in the research profile expected for the position may be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified when the selection process is completed. A trial period is applied for the first six months, according to the regular practice at Finnish universities.

Contact

-       Terhi Ruuska-Loewald, e-mail:terhi.ruuska-loewald@oulu.fi

-       Concerning the general requirements and application procedures: Health and Biosciences Doctoral Programme coordinator Heli Ruotsalainen, e-mail: heli.ruotsalainen (at) oulu.fi