Service and separate units, Biocenter Core

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 3,600 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based education to build a more sustainable, smarter, and more humane world. The University of Oulu community has about 17,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations.  

We are now looking for a

Research Specialist

to join Biocenter Oulu Transgenic and Tissue Phenotyping core facility.

Biocenter Oulu (BCO) is a focus institute of University of Oulu to advance quality and productivity of biomedical research by providing open access infrastructure services in eight technology platforms including Transgenic and Tissue Phenotyping core facility (TTP). Biocenter Oulu offers an inspiring and international working environment where individuals can cultivate their skills, do meaningful work, and develop professionally.

Description of the position

Applications are invited for a full-time research specialist in TTP core facility offering services in generation, cryopreservation and rederivation of genetically modified mice and analysis of histological samples. TTP core facility coordinates the national Biocenter Finland mouse modelling network (FinGMice) and serves as the Finnish node of Infrafrontier/European Mouse Mutant Archive (EMMA) ESFRI infrastructure

Duties

Tasks and responsibilities include:

  • Processing service requests of TTP core facility clients and active correspondence with the local, national and international customers (incl. quotes, transportation, billing, reporting).
  • Planning and supervising the daily work of the laboratory staff relating to generation, histopathological analysis and preservation of mouse lines.
  • Communication with national and international laboratory animal facilities and authorities.
  • Active participation in the national FinGMice and the international Infrafrontier ESFRI and EMMA networks and their working groups.
  • Implementation of new methods for generation and histological analysis of genetically modified mouse lines.
  • Preparation of equipment purchases and organization of their maintenance services, as well as participating in the planning and writing of funding applications.
  • Participation in the animal welfare body of Oulu Laboratory Animal Centre.
  • The candidate will be involved in teaching in annual courses on transgenic mice and tissue phenotyping arranged by the BCO TTP core facility.

Required qualifications and assessment

The successful applicant should have:

  • A doctoral degree in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry or other relevant field.
  • Prior experience in generation and histological analysis of genetically modified mice, including adequate theoretical education and practical training.
  • Fluent oral and written English skills as well as good organizing, communication and teamwork skills.
  • Communication with the authorities requires proficiency in Finnish or Swedish.

When assessing the applicant’s qualifications, additional skills and achievements to be considered will include:

  • Scientific publications in the field and activity in the scientific community.
  • Previous work experience in core facility or other service laboratory.
  • A track record of competitive research funding.
  • International experience.
  • Teaching and supervision experience.

Salary

The starting date of the position is on January 1st, 2024 or as soon as possible after that. A six-month trial period will be effective at the beginning of the contract.

The salary will be based on the requirement level and work performance of teaching and research staff of the salary system for Finnish universities, composed of both task-specific and personal performance components. The task will be on demand level 5 or 6 depending on qualifications. In addition, a salary component based on personal achievements and work performance will be paid (maximum of 50% of the job specific component). The salary is in practice roughly 3,300 – 4,700 €/ month, depending on qualifications, performance and experience at the start of the appointment.

Application procedure

Applications, together with all relevant enclosures, must be submitted using the electronic recruitment system by 27.10.2023 (23:59 Finnish local time). 

The following documents must be attached to the application in English:

  1. Curriculum vitae, following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
  2. Brief description of previous work experience and motivation
  3. Copies of the degree and other certificates relevant to the animal experimentation
  4. List of publications, following the guidelines of the Academy of Finland.
  5. Contact information of two persons who may be asked to give references of the candidate

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Interview
The applicants fitting best for the position will be interviewed on-site or remotely.

Contacts
For further information regarding the filling of this post:

Associate Professor Reetta Hinttala, Head of the Transgenic and Tissue Phenotyping core facility, email: reetta.hinttala(at)oulu.fi

or

Professor Lauri Eklund, Director of Biocenter Oulu infrastructures, email: lauri.eklund(at)oulu.fi

Type of employment Permanent position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment 1.1.2024
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 36,25 hours per week
City Oulu
Country Finland
Reference number 2023/466
Published 04.Oct.2023
Last application date 27.Oct.2023

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