The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher, Molecular and Evolutionary Ecology on the Joensuu Campus. The position will start from 1.1.2023 (or as agreed). Please find more information below and submit your application no later than 7.12.2022. (application period has been extended)

Role and salary 

As our new Postdoctoral Researcher (Molecular and Evolutionary Ecology) you will be working in the project “Genomic tools for the assessment of trait changes in managed fish populations”, funded by the Academy of Finland. The position is located in the Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Science and Forestry.

As our new Postdoctoral Researcher, your main responsibilities will include  

• developing the genomic methods and bioinformatics for the needs of the project,
• writing high-quality scientific publications, 
• developing new research questions and proposals as part of the research team, and 
• participating teaching in courses relating to evolutionary ecology, genetics or fish ecology.

The project “Genomic tools for the assessment of trait changes in managed fish populations” develops novel SNP-based tools to map and monitor genetic variation in functionally relevant loci and to understand how human-induced selection shapes the evolution of behaviour and life-histories in salmonid fishes. The candidate loci will be identified through a series of controlled experiments and analyses that aim to reveal associations between phenotypic trait variation, survival and genomic variation. We will use both whole genome sequencing and RAD-sequencing for genome-wide scans, while for the more specific genotyping of large number of fish we will utilize SNP panels, and to lesser extent, microsatellites. The project is shared between the University of Eastern Finland and Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), and the Postdoctoral Researcher is expected to work at UEF but in close collaboration with the geneticists of LUKE and our international partners.

We are looking for an ambitious candidate with demonstrated skills in genome-wide association analyses and good writing skills. We use brown trout (Salmo trutta) as our model species, and the work supports the conservation and management of this iconic species. We offer access to historical and contemporary sample collections originating both from experiments and natural locations, and support the work by excellent experimental facilities and ability to use large number of fish including established second generation crosses between two distinct life-history types. The host research group (https://uefconnect.uef.fi/en/group/the-research-group-of-aquatic-ecology-and-behavioural-ecology/) is active and productive, and the Postdoctoral Researcher can participate also in other genomic work at the department and LUKE including other animal species supporting strong publishing output and excellent career development.

Experimental work takes place at the Kainuu Fisheries Research (www.kfrs.fi) station in Paltamo, located 270 km north from Joensuu, while most genomic lab work is conducted in Jokioinen, located in Southern Finland close to Turku and Helsinki. The work may require occasional visits to Helsinki, Jokioinen and Paltamo, and supports attendance in international meetings.

The position will be filled from 1.1.2023 to 31.12.2025 (or starting date as agreed). The position will be filled for a fixed term due to it pertaining to a specific project.A probationary period is applied to all new members of the staff. 

The salary of the position is determined in accordance with the salary system of the Finnish universities. The salary comprises two components: a job requirement component and a personal performance component. In this position, the job requirement component is 3,044.00 €/month, based on level 5 of the job requirement chart for teaching and research staff. The personal performance component can be a minimum of 6% and a maximum of 50% of the above-mentioned sum. Depending on the personal performance component, the salary will be approximately 3,534–3,717 €/month at the beginning of the employment relationship.

Our requirements and expectations   

Requirements

• the person to be appointed as Postdoctoral Researcher is expected to hold a doctoral degree from an applicable field. The doctoral degree may not have been completed more than five years ago at the time of starting of the position (a net period of time, which does not include parental leaves, military service etc.)
• good skills in oral and written English. English is used as the language of instruction and supervision in this position.   

Expectations

• demonstrated publishing skills,
• passionate interest on human-induced evolution and its genomic mechanisms.

Your benefits   

You will have access to the university’s staff benefits, including  

• extensive occupational health care,
• the opportunity for flexible multi-location work,
• staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants, as well as on a range of other services,
• affordable sports services.  

Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website.  

You will have an opportunity to work in an interesting, meaningful and diverse role as part of our international, creative, participatory and inclusive academic community.    

Enjoy your life in Finland! Known for its cleanliness, welfare know-how, modern technology and superb education system, Finland is an exotic and safe country to work in. Please visit the Life in Finland section on our website to learn more.    

How to apply?   

Submit your application by using our electronic application form no later than 7.12.2022 (by 24.00 hours Finnish time).     

Please note that you must include the following appendices in your application

• CV (https://tenk.fi/en/advice-and-materials/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae),
• a list of publications (https://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply-for-funding/az-index-of-application-guidelines2/list-of-publications/),
• copies of your academic degree certificates / diplomas, and copies of certificates / diplomas relating to your language proficiency, if not indicated in the academic degree certificates/diplomas,
• a motivation letter (max two pages describing in English, why would you be a suitable person to study human-induced evolution at genomic level in brown trout and what are your personal ambitions in science),
• five of your publications demonstrating required skills as a single pdf file,
• other documents to demonstrate the applicant’s merits for the position.

Questions?   

For further information on the position, please contact: Professor Anssi Vainikka, e-mail anssi.vainikka@uef.fi, tel. +358 29 4453014.

For further information on the application procedure, please contact: Human Resources Secretary Noora Hämäläinen, email: noora.hamalainen@uef.fi, tel. +358 29 445 8302.

University of Eastern Finland and the Faculty of Science and Forestry in brief

The University of Eastern Finland is one of the most multidisciplinary universities in Finland, offering education in nearly 100 major subjects. We have a staff of 2,750 members, and our academic community comprises around 16,000 degree students and more than 27,000 adult education students. Our campuses are located in Joensuu and in Kuopio. Our research is ranked among the best in the world in several fields. We generate research-based knowledge and make it openly accessible for the benefit of all. UEF stands for action with impact that is relevant today and tomorrow. To learn more about our university please visit our website at  www.uef.fi/en.

The Faculty of Science and Forestry operates on the Kuopio and Joensuu campuses of the University of Eastern Finland. The mission of the faculty is to carry out internationally recognised scientific research and to offer research-education in the fields of natural sciences and forest sciences. The faculty invests in all of the strategic research areas of the university. The faculty’s environments for research and learning are international, modern and multidisciplinary.  The faculty has approximately 4,400 Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students and some 460 postgraduate students. The number of staff amounts to 630. http://www.uef.fi/en/lumet/etusivu

Read the job description at the university homepage

Apply for the job

Post expires on Wednesday December 7th, 2022

Project Researcher, Microbiome epidemiology (Projektitutkija)

The University of Eastern Finland invites applications for a project researcher position at the Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kuopio campus. The positions will be filled for a 2-year term from January 2, 2023 (or as agreed). Please find more information below and submit your applicationno later than November 30, 2022.

Role and salary

The University of Eastern Finland (UEF) is seeking highly motivated applicants for a postdoctoral position in epidemiological analyses of microbial exposures and respiratory health.

As our new project researcher, you will be working at the Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition in a consortium project focusing in identifying early-life microbial exposures affecting asthma risk. The project aims at facilitating the development of asthma preventive interventions. The work builds on our previous findings and existing data from a globally unique compilation of prospectively followed birth cohorts from different countries. Your main role will be to perform statistical analyses, draft manuscripts and drive the harmonization of birth cohort datasets obtained from multiple study centers around the world.

The salary is determined according to the salary system of Finnish universities, and it will depend on the expertise of the recruited applicant and based on either level 5 or 6 on the job requirement chart for teaching and research staff. In addition to the job requirement component, the salary includes a personal performance component, which ranges from 6% to 50% of the job requirement component. With a level 5 job requirement component and the personal performance component, the starting salary will be from 3,350 to 3,900 euros per month. The position is filled for a fixed term as it is tied to a fixed project, but extension may be applicable. A probationary period is applied to all new members of the staff.

Requirements and expectations

Required: The applicant should hold a PhD in a relevant field or an MD and have a strong background in microbiome data analyses, experience in statistical modeling utilizing high quality cohort datasets and have a good understanding of epidemiology. A proven track record of high-quality peer-reviewed publications as a leading author, excellent communication skills and proficiency in verbal and written English is essential. In exceptional cases if other requirements are fulfilled, a candidate with an MSc or equivalent degree may be considered.

Desired: Prior experience in research addressing immunological disorders especially in regard to respiratory and allergic diseases, strong R skills, data illustration and basic understanding of bioinformatics are desired.

Your benefits

You will have an opportunity to work in multi-institutional collaboration with experts in epidemiology, bioinformatics, statistics, data management and national and global collaboration networks. With dedication and enthusiasm, you will have a unique opportunity to address and solve intriguing scientific questions with high public health impact, produce high quality publications and to advance your research career in an innovative environment.

You will have access to the university’s staff benefits, including:

• Extensive occupational health care
• Staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants and other services
• Affordable sports services

Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website. 

Enjoy your life in the middle of the beautiful Finnish Lakeland! Finland is known for its cleanliness, welfare know-how, modern technology and superb education system. It is an exotic and safe country to work in. Please visit the Life in Finland section on our website to learn more. 

How to apply? 

Submit your application using our electronic application form no later than November 30, 2022 (by 24.00 hours Finland time).

Please note that you must include the following appendices in your application

• CV or resumé (http://www.tenk.fi/en/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae)
• List of publications (List of publications – Academy of Finland (aka.fi)
• Doctoral degree certificate
• Motivation letter for this position (max. 1 page, 200 words)
• Names and contact information (e-mail and phone number) of three referees

Questions?  

For further information about the position, contact Dr Pirkka Kirjavainen, pirkka.kirjavainen@thl.fi.

For further information on the application procedure, contact HR secretary Timo Perttunen, timo.perttunen@uef.fi, p. +358294454520

The University of Eastern Finland and the Faculty of Health Sciences in brief 

The University of Eastern Finland is one of the most multidisciplinary universities in Finland, offering education in nearly 100 major subjects. We have a staff of 2,750 members, and our academic community comprises around 16,000 degree students and more than 27,000 adult education students. Our campuses are located in Joensuu and in Kuopio. Our research is ranked among the best in the world in several fields. We generate research-based knowledge and make it openly accessible for the benefit of all. UEF stands for action with impact that is relevant today and tomorrow. To learn more about our university please visit our website at  www.uef.fi/en.

The Faculty of Health Sciences operates at the Kuopio Campus of the University of Eastern Finland. The Faculty offers education in medicine, dentistry, nutrition and pharmacy, as well as in some other central fields of the health care sector. The Faculty is research-intensive, and its internationally recognised research activities are closely linked to the strategic research areas of the University. There are approximately 3 090 degree students and about 580 PhD students in the Faculty. The faculty has 800 staff members. http://www.uef.fi/en/ttdk/etusivu

Read the job description at the university homepage

Apply for the job

Post expires on Wednesday November 30th, 2022