Position is open for a researcher with the focus of developing and implementing data-analytical procedures related to metabolomics and metagenomics studies. The position is located at the Food Chemistry and Food Development unit, Department of Life Technologies in the research group led by Prof Kati Hanhineva, and is co-supervised by Associate Professor Leo Lahti at the Department of Computing.

The position may be adjusted to any level of research, but core requirement is the keen interest in developing data-analytical approaches for complex omics data, typically fused with several layers of measured data and combined with clinical parameters.

The research in the group revolves around the interaction between food and health, interlinked with gut microbiota composition and function. The analyzed data may come from different sources including liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry based non-targeted metabolomics applications, and metagenomics analyses focused on gut microbiota. The candidate is expected to take part in adjusting the data-analytical pipelines including statistical assessment for various different research projects and study set-ups, and routinely participate in the data quality control of the projects.

The position may be tailored for a PhD project, but is also available as a project researcher or post-doctoral scientist position, depending on the career stage and competence of the candidate.

The expectation of competence

1) MSc or PhD degree (or close to finalization of MSc/PhD studies) in data science, bioinformatics, bioinformation technology or related field

2) Fluent use of programming languages such as R

3) Earlier experience in working with metabolomics (or other omics) data is regarded as benefit 

Good spoken and written English is required for the position.

The qualification requirements of the positions are stated in the University of Turku Rules of Procedure: https://www.utu.fi/en/university/organisation

Period of employment and salary levels

The employment period will be initially for two years, with an eventual possibility of extension.

The salary is determined by the collective agreement system of Finnish universities, and depends on the level of the position.  Average salary for a doctoral candidate/ project researcher is 2200 – 2400 eur/month and for a post-doctoral researcher 3200 – 3400 eur/month.

Our selection criteria is based on the principle of finding the most qualified and suitable candidate for the work. In practice, this means that not only education, scientific publications and working experience but also personal qualities, motivation factors, language skills and other relevant criteria will be taken into account.

How to apply

Please submit your application no later than 15.5.2022 via the electronic application form of the University of Turku. Contact information and the link (Apply here)  to the application system can be found from the University of Turku recruitment page https://www.utu.fi/en/university/come-work-with-us/open-vacancies.

Applications should contain

• a motivation letter (max. 1 page) focusing on your strengths related to our research topic,
• list of publications,
• degree certificates
• a CV including contact details of at least two referees, meaning prior academic supervisors    or persons acquainted with you and your work (name, working place, e-mail address)

Further information

Professor Kati Hanhineva kati.hanhineva(at)utu.fi

HR Specialist Paula Luoma paula.luoma(at)utu.fi

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