Senior researcher (spatial omics) permanent position in Turku, Finland

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Researcher to join our team and lead the development and application of cutting-edge spatial omics technologies, integrating expertise from our different core facilities. This role will be central to building and integrating our core facility expertise in spatial technologies to generate combined spatial omic methodologies. These include transcriptomics, proteomics, multiplex immunohistochemistry, metabolomics, and related methods. Please send your application as soon as possible, as we’ll be reviewing candidates already in January.

The Senior Researcher will play both a scientific and strategic role, ensuring our unit remains at the forefront of rapidly evolving technologies. The person will be responsible for developing workflows that work across core facilities, consulting with researchers, and actively contributing to collaborative projects.

The Senior Researcher possesses a strong understanding of the use of omics in biological research and an interest towards rapidly evolving techniques, especially in spatial omics. They independently and proactively follow publications, conferences, and technological breakthroughs in the field and, can assess which methods are relevant to the unit’s needs and are excited about an opportunity to create core services and workflows supporting scientists working with different biological disciplines. Insights in immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and/or drug discovery are considered beneficial.

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Who we are looking for

  • PhD in biosciences or a related field, with postdoctoral experience.
  •  Proven track record and hands-on expertise with omics technologies and sample processing
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
  •  A team player who enjoys working in an international and multidisciplinary environment
  • Strong project management skills and a detail-oriented, systematic approach to work.

This is a new, permanent role within our organization. We’re excited to welcome someone who is eager to make a lasting impact. While we are looking for candidates with prior experience in at least one of the omics technologies, we’re open to shaping the role to match the right person’s skills and strengths. Most importantly, we value a positive, enthusiastic attitude and a genuine commitment to growing with us.

Your Tasks

Expertise and Methodological Development

  • Establish, optimize, and expand workflows for spatial omics technologies, from sample preparation through analysis to data generation and interpretation.
  • Integrate spatial methods with other modalities, such as transcriptomics or proteomics, to provide holistic biological insights.
  • Stay current with scientific and technological developments through literature, conferences, and professional networks, and assess their relevance to our research goals.

Strategic Contribution

  • Contribute actively to the unit’s strategic planning by identifying emerging technologies and research needs.
  • Translate innovations into robust, practical applications that enhance the quality and impact of our services.
  • Balance scientific ambition with resource management, scheduling, and financial considerations.

Collaboration and Consultation with Researchers

  • Act as an advisor to researchers, guiding them in selecting the most appropriate methods for their scientific questions.
  • Provide cost-effective, fit-for-purpose solutions tailored to diverse research needs.
  • Promote collaboration between different core facilities and research groups.
  • Contribute to and co-author publications

Project Management and Prioritisation

  • Engage directly in research projects, contributing to study design, sample processing, data analysis, and interpretation.
  • Prioritize and manage multiple projects effectively, ensuring timelines and goals are met.
  • Manage a dynamic, constantly evolving environment where different disciplines, technologies, and core facilities intersect

Benefits

Turku – a great place to live and work

Finland is known for its high quality of life, safety, and excellent public services. It’s a country where things just work – from public transport to healthcare and education. Families especially benefit from the generous state support: affordable, high-quality daycare and free schooling that consistently ranks among the best in the world.

If you're moving with children, the city of Turku is a fantastic choice. It offers English-language “language showers” and pre-schooling to help kids ease into a new language environment. There are also private, state-subsidized daycare centres that operate in English, French, or Russian – making it easier for international families to settle in. For school-aged children, the Turku International School provides both basic and upper-secondary education entirely in English.

Health and insurance – we’ve got you covered

We care about the well-being of our staff. That’s why we offer comprehensive occupational healthcare services, including preventive care and general medical treatment. In addition, all employees are covered by University’s travel and occupational accident insurance. Pension contributions are automatically handled by the University, so you don’t need to worry about the paperwork – it’s all taken care of.

Stay active with CampusSport

Looking to stay fit and energized? Our staff have access to a wide range of fitness and wellness services. Whether you’re into gym workouts, group classes, or just want to try something new, there’s something for everyone. CampusSport, a joint initiative by all universities in Turku, offers affordable and diverse sports activities right on campus.

Read more about the University of Turku as an employer on Come work with us!

Salary

The salary is determined by the collective agreement system of Finnish universities and will depend on the degree and qualifications of the applicant.  Salaried positions in Finland automatically include payments to a pension fund, unemployment funds, an extensive occupational healthcare, affordable sports services and even a holiday allowance. This position belong to the personnel group of teaching and research personnel and a PhD degree is a must. For a Senior Researcher the salary will be in average 3600 – 4000 eur/month.

Our selection criteria is based on the principle of finding the most qualified and suitable candidate for the task. In practice, this means that not only education, publications and working experience but also personal qualities, communication and motivation factors and other relevant criteria will be taken into account.

Starting date

The start of employment is negotiable, preferably for example on 1.4.2026. The position is permanent one and it is subject to a six-month trial period.

How to apply?

Applications must have the following enclosures (in English):

1) motivation letter max 1 page focusing on your strengths related to our research topics

2) CV (max 2 pages)

3) copy of PhD degree certificate in Finnish or in English ( if another language, please bring official translation into Finnish or into English)

4) contact details for at least three referees (name, working place, e-mail address)

5) a list of publications, highlighting the five most relevant ones

Please send your application as soon as possible, as we’ll be reviewing candidates already in January.

 

For further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime:

laura.elo(at)utu.fi

johanna.ivaska(at)utu.fi

Turku Bioscience Centre

Turku Bioscience is an advanced core facility and research centre hosted jointly by University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University. Our aim is to provide complete packages of service expertise and know-how to provide both academic and corporate research groups the tools and means to shorten the runway from an initial discovery to the take-off of a success story. To this end, we aim to stay at the frontiers of new technologies and research and we are also actively facilitating interactions and joint projects between academia and industry.

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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Senior researcher (spatial omics) permanent position in Turku, Finland

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