Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 12 000 students, 400 professors and close to 4 000 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness.

Aalto University School of Science, Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University (Finland), is looking for

Doctoral Researcher (Ph.D. student) in the field of Biomedical Engineering

to join its team to work in a challenging Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) project. This doctoral research is part of the Horizon 2020 MSCA Innovative Training Network Carthago (https://itn-carthago.sites.uu.nl/) focusing on novel gene delivery to treat osteoarthritis and intervertebral disc degeneration.

The Doctoral Researcher position focuses on studies of ultrasound-enhanced delivery of nucleic acids into cell, tissues and joints. Specific focus is on delivery to chondrocytes, articular cartilage and intervertebral disc. This project is highly experimental work and employs non-linear ultrasonic mechanisms, e.g. acoustic streaming and sound-bubble -interactions, to enable actuation and manipulation of matter leading to intended delivery outcome.

Your role

We are looking for a Doctoral Researcher to investigate ultrasonic methods for delivery of nucleic acids into tissues and cells in connective tissues such as articular cartilage and intervertebral disc. These investigated state-of-the-art methods are expected to contribute to new regenerative therapies for management of degenerative joint disease such as osteoarthritis. The work is conducted mainly at Aalto University with mobility to other universities of the Carthago consortium.

Your work will include ultrasonic experimentation with cell cultures, tissue samples, building and enhancing experimental arrangements and conducting data analysis (signals, microscopy images). We offer you an ambitious and high-tech working environment with a well-equipped laboratory and a challenging and an interesting research topic.

Our research at the Medical Ultrasonics Laboratory (MEDUSA, http://medusa.aalto.fi) in the Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering (NBE), Aalto University, focuses on innovating new ultrasound platforms for biomedical use with a goal to translate these into hospital and research environments. Ultrasound provides unconventional means to manipulate human tissue and matter on microscopic and macroscopic levels. When intended, ultrasonic exposures generating sonic force fields can be applied from a distance, e.g. through the skin. This can permit creation of non-invasive and minimally invasive methods for various medical applications.

Your background and expertise

The ideal candidate has the following qualities:

• Capability to work independently in laboratory environment and learn new things quickly.
• Resilience and readiness to work in ambitious environments and under pressure.
• Experience with cell cultures and/or experimenting with mammalian tissue. Willingness and capability to work with human samples.
• Excellent study record. Completed suitable studies (experimental, theoretical or both) e.g. biology, medicine, biomedical physics or biomedical engineering, or in other field relevant to the topic. Sufficient studies in mathematics, biology and/or physics are required.
• Ability or high potential in running experiments in a diligent, systematic and highly careful manner.
• Strong interest in development, testing, and using the ultrasonic methods and when necessary contribute to developing ultrasound setups.
• Excellent command of the English language, excellent team working skills and can do -mentality.

If you are chosen for this position, you will apply the study right for doctoral studies in Aalto University School of Science. Thus, please check the student information and admission criteria https://www.aalto.fi/en/programmes/aalto-doctoral-programme-in-science. In particular, please pay attention to mandatory skill level in English.

What we offer

The duration of the employment contract is 1,5 years, with an option of continuation. The duration of the doctoral studies at Aalto University is 4 years. The student is expected to contribute to personal funding application. The position is also suitable for excellent candidates who require 1,5 years of funding to complete their present doctoral thesis (this may be subject to agreements with the current hosting university). The salary for a doctoral researcher is approx. 3400 €/month. The candidate must not have lived in Finland for more than 12 months in the past 36 months. Eligibility will be considered according to MSCA criteria.

We offer a wide range of staff benefits such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities on campus and several restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts. The position is located at the Aalto University Otaniemi campus, which can be easily reached by public transport.

Ready to apply?

If you want to join our community, please submit your application through our online recruitment system by using the link on Aalto University’s web page ("Apply now”).

If you are Aalto employee, please apply via Workday system (internal jobs).

Please include the following documents in English and in pdf-form (the maximum size of each document is 5MB)::

• Motivation letter. The motivation letter must include proof on capability to work independently in a laboratory. (filename: surname_motivation_letter.pdf)
• CV (filename: surname_CV.pdf)
• Transcript of records (filename: surname_transcript.pdf)
• M.Sc. thesis, and other supporting material (filename: surname_thesis.pdf)
• List of references and recommendation letters in a single file (filename: surname_recommendations.pdf)

The deadline for applications is March 31, 2023. We will go through applications, and we may invite suitable candidates to interview already during the application period. The position will be filled as soon as suitable candidate is identified. Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, to extend the application period, reopen the application process, and to consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period. The selection process will respect gender equality. Candidates capable to begin the research earlier have an advantage in the selection process.

More information

If you have any questions, professor Heikki Nieminen is happy to give you more information about the position ([email protected]). In recruitment related questions please contact HR Partner Maarit Pietiäinen ([email protected]).

Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos: Aalto University – Towards a better world, Aalto People , and Shaping a Sustainable Future. You can also check out our webpage about Aalto and Finland: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/welcome-to-aalto-university-and-finland-info-package and check out our new virtual campus experience: https://virtualtour.aalto.fi/

Finland is a great place for living with or without family – it is a safe, politically stable and well organized Nordic society. For more information about living in Finland: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/why-finland 

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