We are looking for a postdoc or a PhD student with strong expertise in high throughput RNA sequencing data analyses. The position is funded by the Academy of Finland project grant for the period of 1.2.2020 – 31.8.2022. In case of a PhD student, the remaining time of the PhD project will be funded from other sources.

The project is an integral part of the research going on in the research group of Associate Professor Noora Kotaja at the Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology (www.utu.fi/en/units/med/units/physiology/research/Pages/kotaja.aspx). The research in Kotaja group focuses on the mechanisms of RNA regulation during male germ cell differentiation, and their implications on male fertility and on RNA-mediated paternal epigenetic inheritance of acquired conditions such as metabolic disorders. The work involves processing and analysis of high-throughput sequencing (RNA-seq and small RNA-seq) data to answer complex biomedical questions. The main focus will be on the non-coding genome (lncRNAs, intergenic transcripts, transposons and other repeat-derived transcripts, sncRNAs, tRNA- and rRNA-derived small RNAs). The project is multidisciplinary and requires good skills in integrating methodological aspects with biological and biomedical concepts. 

Candidates should have either a Master or PhD degree in bioinformatics, statistics, computational science or other relevant field, or a degree in biosciences combined with strong experience on the methods of computational biology/bioinformatics. A successful candidate has experience in the analysis of large-scale “omic” data sets, particularly next-generation sequencing data sets. Experience with R, Matlab or other mathematical software is required. A basic knowledge of statistics and biology, particularly the genome organization and function, is necessary for the successful execution of the project. Good communication skills in English, both oral and written, are essential. The working language of the group is English and no knowledge of the Finnish language is required.

The salary is determined by the collective agreement system of Finnish universities. These positions belong to our research personnel and the salary for a postdoctoral researcher will be 2600 – 3600 eur/month in average (or 3100 – 4200 eur/month depending on experience) and for a project researcher 2150 – 2600 eur/month in average.

There is a trial period of six months.

The deadline for submitting the application is 31.12.2019 (at 23:59 Finnish time).The application should be submitted using the electronic system at www.utu.fi/careers.

The application should include a motivation letter, CV, list of publications, contact information for 2-3 referees, and copies of relevant degree certificates.

For further information please contact noora.kotaja@utu.fi.