JobsPortal logo

Search Jobs In Finland

Doctoral Student In The Area Of Forest Biotechnology

Published date more than one year ago
Posted: more than one year ago
Company University of Helsinki
Company: University of Helsinki
End date Jan. 26, 2020
Due date: Jan. 26, 2020
Location Helsinki
Location: Helsinki

The University of Helsinki is among the leading multidisciplinary research universities in the world. In addition to its 11 faculties, the University includes several independent institutes, some of which are jointly operated with other universities. The University of Helsinki has an international academic community of 40,000 students and staff members, and it offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development.

The internationally competitive research of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-agriculture-and-forestry/research) provides science-based perspectives and methods for responding to future challenges in agriculture, food production and forestry in Finland as well as globally.

The Department of Agricultural Sciences invites applications for

DOCTORAL STUDENT

with an interest in performing research in the area of forest biotechnology. The PhD project is part of the consortium TreeGeneClimate (www.bioeconomy-in-the-north.eu) where the primary objective is to dissect the genetic basis of wood quality traits of one of the most economically important forest trees, Norway spruce, through a combination of genetic studies and genome-wide markers associated to its physical and chemical properties, disease and decay resistance. We will search for and identify novel wood property traits vital for adaptation to climate change and resistance against pathogenic fungi. The specific objective for the doctoral student is to develop and analyze transcriptomes of spruce sapwood, heartwood boundary, phloem and inner bark, and relate these to the chemical composition (secondary metabolites) of the tissues.

The work will be conducted in the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Finland. Our laboratory is situated in the Viikki campus (www.helsinki.fi/en/viikki-campus) and is part of the Viikki Plant Science Centre (www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/viikki-plant-science-centre) with access to state of the art experimental and bioinformatics facilities.

The employment is scheduled to commence in January-February 2020 and will last three years. Depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience, the salary is 2200–2700 euros/month. A trial period of 6 months will be applied.

Applicants should have a strong background in molecular biology and interest in bioinformatics. Applicants are expected to be able to act independently as well as to collaborate effectively with members of a larger team. Fluency in spoken and written English is required, as well as eligibility for doctoral studies.

Applications for the position should include:
1) A cover letter (max 1 page) potentially including a brief description of previous research experience, outline of research skills, and a description how these skills support the project focus.
2) A CV including possible list of publications, as well as full contact information for at least two references (max 2 pages).
3) A copy of MSc diploma (or equivalent) and a transcript of completed credits.

Please compile all documents into a single PDF file in the above-specified order.

Please submit your application using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the link Apply for the position. Applicants who are employees of the University of Helsinki are requested to leave their application via the SAP HR portal.

Deadline for applications is 26 January 2020, but review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

For further information about this position, please contact Professor Teemu Teeri, Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, tel: +358 50 548 1787, e-mail: teemu.teeri(at)helsinki.fi.