Two Project Researchers/Doctoral Researchers for Nufo

Description

The Nutrition and Food Research Center of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Turku is offering two positions for project researchers or doctoral researchers in the field of nutrition science/biomedicine. Both are fixed-term positions for one (1) year starting on 1 March 2026 (exact start date to be agreed). The position may possibly continue after this 12-month period.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and competent researcher:

1) to study nutrition, gut microbiota and metabolic pathways in clinical research data in the Early Nutrition and Health research group, (https://sites.utu.fi/nutritionresearch/); and

2) to study childhood obesity, nutrition and psychophysiological responses, using, among others, the Flavoria research platform (https://www.flavoria.fi)

There are two positions in total in the call, and the projects are led by Professor Kirsi Laitinen and Senior Researcher Veera Houttu.

The location of work is Turku.

 

The person we are looking for

Our expectations

The qualification requirements for the position are a suitable Masters degree (FM/Master of Science, DI/Master of Engineering, TtM/Master of Health Sciences, ETM/Master of Food and Nutrition Research, or equivalent) and expertise in the field of science (e.g. nutrition, biomedicine, medicine, biochemistry, molecular biology). Expertise in biostatistics and bioinformatics methods is considered an advantage.

The applicant is required to have good oral and written English skills, the ability to communicate clearly and independently carry out scientific research work, as well as reporting and publishing results both in accordance with the research plan and as part of the research group's activities.

In addition, the ability and motivation to pursue postgraduate studies and a doctoral degree in accordance with the research plan are required, either in connection with the completion of a university degree or otherwise demonstrated. The work title of the person selected for the position will initially be project researcher, unless the person already has the appropriate right to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Turku; in the latter case, the title may directly be doctoral researcher. The selected project researcher is required to prepare a doctoral research plan and to be active in applying for grants for doctoral studies. The researcher is required to apply for the right to doctoral studies at the University of Turku in the next possible call - read more about the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS) and doctoral programmes from the UTU website.

The call opens on 21 January 2026 and closes on 16 February 2026, at 16:00 (Europe/Helsinki)

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Benefits

We offer you responsible and interesting work tasks and the opportunity to develop your professional skills in a diverse operating environment. You will become part of a professional and inspiring university community, where you will be supported by a wide network of experts. We take care of your well-being at work and the functionality of your everyday life, for example through flexible working hours and our well-being services.

  • The opportunity to develop yourself – We encourage our staff to develop their skills by offering diverse training and competence development opportunities. Many of our open university courses are also part of the free training offer.
  • Your well-being is taken care of – The well-being of our employees is important to us! In addition to comprehensive occupational health care, our own well-being services monitor, support and develop the well-being of our staff. We promote physical endurance with CampusSport's sports services at personnel prices.
  • Your work and free time are balanced – Flexible working hours and the possibility of remote work in accordance with university rules, in agreement with your superior, help you to balance work and free time.
  • A pleasant and mutually supportive work community – We encourage each other and value working together!

Read more about us on the Welcome to Work page on the UTU.fi website; this contains more 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 quality label as a sign of the university’s commitment to the continuous development of the status and working conditions of researchers in accordance with the objectives of the European Charter for Researchers.

The University of Turku ranks very well in international university rankings and is among the best universities in the world in several fields. High-quality basic research, a multidisciplinary research profile and close cooperation in research infrastructures create the foundation for international top research. Read more about our ranking in international university rankings on our website.

The University of Turku has several high-quality research infrastructures required for top research. See the list of the University of Turku’s research infrastructures and read more about service research and infrastructures supporting business collaboration.

Salary and probationary period

The position-specific salary is determined in accordance with the requirement level 2 of the university salary system for teaching and research staff, in which case the position-specific salary component is 2,281.48 euros per month.

In addition to the position-specific salary component, a salary component based on personal performance is paid.

The position has a six (6) month probationary period.

Instructions for your application

Please submit your application through our electronic recruitment system by 16.2.2026, at 16:00.

Please prepare the application documents in English. Please attach to the application the following:

- Motivation letter

- Curriculum vitae

- Copy of diplomas

- Complete list of publications

- Letters of recommendation for the currently open position from two previous supervisors or superiors with contact information

Please be careful when completing the application and ensure that you submit all requested attachments.

Please remember to state in your motivation letter which position you are applying for, or whether you are applying for both positions.

For more information, please contact

For more information, please contact For more information about the open position, please contact Prof. Kirsi Laitinen at the Nutrition and Food Research Center (kirsi.laitinen(at)utu.fi, tel. 029 450 2428). The application process will be assisted by HR specialist Anne Jackson (anne.jackson(at)utu.fi).

Nutrition and Food Research Center - NuFo

Nutrition and Food Research Center (NuFo, former Functional Foods Forum, FFF) is a unit in the Faculty of Medicine combining multidisciplinary nutrition, food and health research. Our mission is to excel in researching the complex interplay between food, human metabolism and health, and to disseminate and apply the knowledge accrued on well-being of people and nature.

The Faculty of Medicine is a high level, international and innovative research and education unit in biomedicine, clinical medicine, dentistry and health and nursing sciences, as well as a major social contributor to health promotion, disease genesis, in the research of diagnostics and treatment and in the development of the health service and education system. The faculty provides research-based multidisciplinary undergraduate education in educational programs that educate diverse and critically minded specialists. The research is multidisciplinary and results in new information aimed at promoting the health of the population and better patient care.

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.

See our open vacancies

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Information for the applicant

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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Two Project Researchers/Doctoral Researchers for Nufo

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