Twelve (12) Doctoral Researcher Positions in the ImmuDocs – National Doctoral Education Pilot Based on the Immune System

 

The ImmuDocs Doctoral Education Pilot, the University of Turku, is inviting applications for 12 fixed-term Doctoral Researcher positions at the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Technology from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027.

The positions are related to the ImmuDocs Doctoral Training Education Pilot project, funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture, started 1 August 2024. ImmuDocs aims to educate a new generation of experts in immunology, immunology-based drug development, and/or diagnostics. The project is coordinated by the University of Turku, with the University of Helsinki, Åbo Akademi University, Tampere University, University of Eastern Finland, and University of Oulu as partner universities. In total, 81 Doctoral Researchers will be employed within the ImmuDocs doctoral training pilot project. Doctoral Researcher Position research themes are linked to the InFLAMES Flagship funded by the Research Council of Finland.

The ImmuDoc pilot aims to ensure that, upon completion of the studies, Doctoral Researchers:

  • Have acquired extensive knowledge of modern and applied immunology, developed skills to critically interpret research data, and master key immunological methods.
  • Thoroughly understand the impact of immunology on the economy and society.
  • Have a clear understanding of the entire lifecycle of immunology-based diagnostics and drug discovery, including all essential steps from initial invention to clinical application.
  • Communicate their research to the scientific community and the public.
  • Know which career paths are available for immunologists after obtaining a doctoral degree.

Job description

To apply for these positions, the applicant must choose the projects they are applying for at the end of this application form. Applicants may apply for a maximum of three doctoral projects in order of priority. The doctoral projects open in this call for applications are as follows:

1. Impact of the innate immune system on target organ integrity in multiple sclerosis, Principal Supervisor: Laura Airas

2. Dendritic cell chemotaxis and gradient generation in changing tissue environment, Principal Supervisor: Jonna Alanko

3. Uncovering mechanisms affecting waning vaccine-induced immunity against Bordetella pertussis, Principal Supervisor: Qiushui He

4. Exosomes and circulating leukocyte-born microbial DNA as drivers of autoimmunity and sources of biomarker discovery in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Principal Supervisor: Arno Hänninen

5. Novel approaches to immune monitoring and biomarker discovery in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Principal Supervisor: Arno Hänninen

6. In-vivo Characterization of Pericoronary Local Inflammatory Activity in Atherosclerosis, Principal Supervisor: Juhani Knuuti

7. Changes in human immune cells associated with the development of type 1 diabetes, Principal Supervisor: Riitta Lahesmaa

8. Mechanisms of antigen presentation in B cells - the role of Septin cytoskeleton, Principal Supervisor: Pieta Mattila

9. Building blocks for computational immunology: Artificial intelligence based integrative analysis of histology and spatial proteomics, Principal Supervisor: Pekka Ruusuvuori

10. In vitro assay and AI-assisted tools for improved characterization of anti-tumor immune response in bladder cancer, Principal Supervisor: Pekka Taimen

11. Combined single-cell imaging and proteomic analysis to unveil human myeloid cell heterogeneity, Principal Supervisor: Akira Takeda

12. Three-dimensional streptavidin base layer as generic approach to improved antibody binding capacity and reactivity on solid-phase immunoassays, Pääohjaaja: Tero Soukka

Detailed descriptions of the doctoral projects, supervisors, and their research groups can be found on the ImmuDocs National Doctoral Education Pilot website: Call for Applications - ImmuDocs (projects listed under Pathway 1).

The positions start on 1 January 2025 or by mutual agreement. The funding is for 3 years, which is the intended duration of the PhD programme.

The Doctoral Researcher’s tasks include conducting their own doctoral research and completing doctoral courses. Doctoral Researchers are committed to conduct research and doctoral postgraduate studies according to the rules of the ImmuDocs Doctoral Education Pilot and the specific Doctoral Programme.

If the applicant does not have the right to study for a doctoral degree at the University of Turku, they must apply for a right to study for a doctoral degree during the application period in 28.10.-8.11.2024.

The position cannot be filled by an individual who has already completed a doctoral degree or has been granted the right to study for a doctoral degree before 1 November 2023.

The Doctoral Researcher position requires residence in Finland.

Apply between and

Who we are looking for

The applicant must have completed a higher education degree or degree must be completed latest by December 3, 2024 (if applying for the study right for a doctoral degree in the Faculty of Medicine) or by November 15, 2024 (if applying for the study right for a doctoral degree in the Faculty of Science or Technology).  The applicant's degree should be relevant to the dissertation project.

In addition, if the applicant does not already have the right to study for a doctoral degree at the University of Turku, the applicant must apply for the right to study for a doctoral degree at the University of Turku during the application period in 28.10.-8.11.2024 via the Studyinfo.fi service through the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Technology doctoral programmes. The right to study is a prerequisite for starting the employment position. The eligibility requirements for the right to study for a doctoral degree are specified in the University of Turku’s regulations. How to Apply for Doctoral Training | University of Turku

Our workplace values equality and diversity; therefore, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Benefits

We offer you responsible and interesting tasks and the opportunity to develop your skills in a dynamic and international environment. You will be supported by a professional and inspiring team and a group of experienced supervisors. In your work, you will become part of a wide network of doctoral researchers, researchers, and supervisors within the ImmuDocs Consortium and the InFLAMES Research Flagship. We care about your well-being and the functionality of your everyday life through flexible working hours and our well-being services.

Read more about us on the website Come Work with Us!, where you can find additional information about what the university offers its employees.

The European Commission has granted the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research logo as a sign of the university’s commitment to continuously improving the status and working conditions of researchers in line with the goals of the European Charter for Researchers.

The university offers excellent support and orientation for international hires. Please learn more about Finnish culture and relocation to Finland:

Salary and trial period

Salary is determined in accordance with the University salary system for teaching and research personnel. It consists of a task-specific salary component and a personal performance salary component. The task-specific salary component of a Doctoral Researcher is at levels 2–4, depending on the progress of the doctoral project. The personal performance component, which is added to the task-specific base salary, is also paid. For a doctoral researcher, the salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and will be approximately 2500–3300 €/month, depending on the progress of the doctoral project.

The position has a probationary period of 6 months.

The positions are intended for full-time doctoral dissertation research and postgraduate studies. The employment contract is based on a total working time of 1612 hours per year, which gives the Doctoral Researcher freedom to plan their working hours.

How to apply

Please submit your application through our electronic recruitment system by 24 September 2024 at 16:00 p.m./4:00 p.m. (Europe/Helsinki). The application link can be found on the university’s website at the beginning of the advertisement ("Apply for this job").

The application form cannot be saved as a draft. However, after submitting, you can return to edit your application via the link you receive by email. The application can be edited until the application deadline. You have 6 hours to complete your application before the timeout.

Please write your application and accompanying documents in English and send all attachments in the form of a PDF file.

Applicants should enclose with their application:

  1. A motivation letter (max. one page) is a free-form document in which an applicant describes their motivation for pursuing ImmuDocs doctoral studies and conducting research, as well as their research interests. The applicant is asked to indicate their preferences when applying for a maximum of three doctoral projects.
  2. Curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages).
  3. List of publications. Link to the list of publications template (if relevant; please do not attach full copies of publications).
  4. Degree certificates. A transcript of master’s/bachelor’s studies and the degree certificate of your latest degree (in the language that the degree was completed in). If the original degree certificates or transcripts of study records are not written in English, Finnish, or Swedish, official translations to one of these languages must also be submitted. If the degree that gives eligibility for the study right for a doctoral degree is not completed by the application deadline, an up-to-date transcript of study records must be attached to the application and a plan of completion must be submitted.
  5. Any other documents relevant to fulfilling the requirements of the position. Please read carefully sections: Prerequisites for admission and Proof of language skills; see How to Apply for Doctoral Training (see before applying -section:)
  6. NB! Research plan is NOT required. It is asked for system technical reasons. Please attach any document (i.e. an empty pdf) there in order to be able to continue with the application. Do the same with the question Abstract of research plan, it is NOT required so please write anything there (i.e. one word) in order to be able to continue with the application.

Candidates selected for interviews based on their applications will be interviewed in week 39-43. Decisions regarding doctoral researchers will be made at the week 43, 2024. The selected applicants will be informed of the decisions without delay.

Further information

For further information regarding the ImmuDocs Doctoral Researcher positions, please contact Academician Sirpa Jalkanen (sirjal@utu.fi).

For further information about a specific doctoral project, please contact the Principal Supervisor of the project of interest.

For information related to the application process, please contact ImmuDocs coordinator Marja Peura (mahepeu@utu.fi)

For information related to the doctoral programmes, please contact Outi Irjala (outi.irjala@utu.fi).

 

 

ImmuDocs – National Doctoral Education Pilot Based on the Immune System

ImmuDocs Doctoral Education Pilot focuses on immunology including all types of inflammatory diseases. They all are driven by aberrant immune responses, and immunological interventions are at the heart of their prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Healthcare urgently needs specialists who understand these immunological areas.

Diseases stemming from immune system malfunction impose substantial economic and societal burdens. They lead to high healthcare costs, loss of productivity, and a significant impact on quality of life. Addressing the escalating demand for immunology specialists necessitates a concerted effort in training and collaboration among researchers, industry, and healthcare professionals. There is a pressing need to cultivate a new generation of immunology experts with diverse skills, ranging from health economics to cell and structural biology, bioinformatics, and clinical practice. Simultaneously, researcher training will boost scientific innovations, thereby driving disease prevention, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment through the versatile tools offered by immunology.

The InFLAMES Flagship is a joint initiative of the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Finland. The goal of the Flagship is to integrate immunological and immunology-related research activities to develop and exploit new diagnostic and therapeutic tools for personalised medicine. InFLAMES is part of the Research Council of Finland´s Flagship Programme.

The University of Turku is an inspiring and international academic community of 25,000 students and staff in Southwest Finland. We build a sustainable future with multidisciplinary research, education, and collaboration. With us, your work will have a significant impact and relevance in the changing world.

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The application form cannot be saved as a draft. However, after submitting you can return to edit your application via the link you receive by email. The application can be edited until the application deadline.

You have 6 hours to complete your application before the timeout.

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Twelve (12) Doctoral Researcher Positions in the ImmuDocs – National Doctoral Education Pilot Based on the Immune System

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