University of Turku Research Flagship InFLAMES: Innovation Ecosystem based on the Immune System, funded by the Academy of Finland, is seeking a maximum of five ambitious group leaders in the field of immunology and related diagnostics and/or drug development.

About the research environment

University of Turku is an international and multidisciplinary research and teaching unit which works in close collaboration with regional, national and international partners. One of its research strength areas is Health, diagnostics and drug development.

The InFLAMES Flagship is a joint effort of University of Turku, Åbo Akademi University and the associated ecosystem. It aims at being an internationally recognized, top-level, immunological research and development cluster attracting both researchers and business partners. It will produce break-through knowledge on immunological principles and diseases. The Flagship also aims to provide novel discoveries which lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory disorders. Innovations, internationally recognized scientists, an extensive state-of-the-art research infrastructure and intensive academy–industry interactions form the foundation of the InFLAMES Flagship research.

The positions will be seated at the Faculty of Medicine any relevant Department or Institute, Faculty of Technology (Department of Life Technologies - Biotechnology) or at one of the dedicated research centres, Turku Bioscience Centre or Turku PET Centre.

Key responsibilities

• Conducting scientific research related to Flagship’s research profile (please see https://inflames.utu.fi/)
• Leading/establishing a research group
• Creating and maintaining national and international networks
• Applying for external research funding

Essential qualifications

• PhD in medicine, life sciences or other relevant discipline
• High-quality research proposal clearly connected to the Flagship’s research profile, immunology and related diagnostics and/or drug development. Please see https://inflames.utu.fi/
• Outstanding potential and established excellence in research
• Strong leadership and organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, including written and oral communication in English

Desirable qualifications

• A title of docent by the University or similar qualification and familiarity with the research area in question
• Significant international research experience (post-doctoral research conducted abroad is essential)

Salary

• The salary offered is determined in accordance with the University salary system for teaching and research personnel. The salary for Group Leader (Senior Researcher/Senior Researcher Fellow) is at levels 6-7on the job demands chart, where the task specific salary component is 3460-3990 € per month. In addition a personal work performance component will be paid. The personal performance component is 6% - 50% of the task-specific base salary. The personal component for a new person is usually max. 19% resulting in a total salary of about 4748€ per month (level 7).
• A six (6) month trial period applies to the positions.
• The positions will be supported by a start-up package. The amount of start-up package is negotiable.

Duration of the contract

• The successful applicants are expected to begin their work as soon as possible. The fixed-term positions will be until the end of 2024.
• The position(s) may continue after this fixed-term period according the career path model of a researcher at the University of Turku.

What to do next

• Applications must be submitted on 18 February 2021 at the latest (23.59.59 Finnish time) via the University of Turku electronic application form. The link to the electronic application system is located at the beginning of this announcement (Apply for the job).
• Applicants should enclose with their application a summary of a research plan (max. 2 pages), a CV (max. 2 pages), a motivation letter (max. 1 page), a list of publications (with impact factors and with 5 most important ones indicated) and degree certificates.
• The top candidates will be interviewed.
• Please note that for more experienced Group Leaders/Senior Researchers there are also Professor/Assistant/Associate Professor (tenure track) positions available at the InFLAMES Flagship. In addition, potential applicants are also encouraged to apply for other suitable positions available at the Flagship. For more information, please see: https://inflames.utu.fi/vacancies/

For further information about the positions, please contact Director of the InFLAMES Flagship, Professor Sirpa Jalkanen (sirjal@utu.fi)

Regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR Planning Officer Kristiina Nuutila (kristiina.nuutila@utu.fi), Tel. +358 503135224

The University of Turku is a responsible employer and educator and follows The Equality Plan of the University of Turku approved by the University Board. The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research logo. The logo is a token of the University's commitment to continuous development of the position and working conditions of researchers according to the guidelines set forth in the European Charter for Researchers.