Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our university community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. www.tuni.fi/en 

The Finnish Hub for Development and Validitation of Integrated Approaches (FHAIVE) at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology is looking for Doctoral Researchers. We have three positions open, each with a different profile.

FHAIVE is a multi-disciplinary research group directed by Prof. Dario Greco, consisting of over 30 scientists to date. FHAIVE is a GLP accredited laboratory and is the Finnish national reference laboratory for the EURL-ECVAM validation network (NETVAL) for alternative methods to animal testing. The mission of FHAIVE is to develop and validate integrated approaches (IATA) and models for chemical safety assessment and drug development by integrating advanced in vitro techniques along with AI-based data analytics and predictive modelling.  

FHAIVE focuses on advancing the fields of systems toxicology and predictive pharmacology using big data modelling, knowledge graphs, and machine learning algorithms. We have a unique combination of expertise that spans systems biology, toxicology, cheminformatics, and bioinformatics. Our vision is to merge state-of-the-art predictive toxicology and pharmacology with advanced in vitro cell culture models to address some of the major challenges arising in chemical safety assessment and drug development. FHAIVE currently receives funding from the Academy of Finland, the EU (HE, H2020, Green Deal, ERC, and IMI2 programs), the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Finnish Red Cross, the Finnish Government, and the European Research Council (ERC Consolidator).

Job description

We are seeking  highly motivated Doctoral Researchers to join our team to work on the newly funded ERC Consolidator Project ARCHIMEDES.  We have three positions open with different profiles.

1. Doctoral Researcher / Artificial intelligence in toxicology

The main tasks include:

• analyzing and modeling multi-omics datasets for antigen discovery
• defining computational pipelines
• developing functional software for antigen discovery.

Highly valued skills are:

• A strong background in bioinformatics and/or immunology and/or cancer biology
• Knowledge of RNA sequencing data analysis and modelling 
• Knowledge of exome sequencing data analysis
• Knowledge of proteomics data analysis
• Knowledge of network inference from multi-omics data 
• Knowledge of antigen identification and characterization.

2. Doctoral Researcher / Personalized cancer immunotherapy

The main tasks include:

• analyzing and modeling large omics datasets
• analyzing and modelling our in-house knowledge graph
• curating, integrating and analyzing large data sets
• inferring and analyzing large networks
• development of predictive learning models.

Highly valued skills are:

• Knowledge in bioinformatics and systems biology 
• Knowledge in analysis and modelling of biological data
• Good knowledge of python and R programming
• A strong background in machine learning 
• Good knowledge of data exploration techniques as well as supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms 
• Experience in data management systems is required, preferably in graph database and NoSQL systems 
• Knowledge about knowledge graphs and complex networks. 

3. Doctoral Researcher / In vitro toxicology

The main tasks include:

• characterizing the molecular mechanism of action of chemicals and drugs in multiple in vitro models 
• identifying and testing molecular biomarkers of chemical exposure in the context of adverse outcome pathways (AOPs)
• investigating cellular crosstalk in the response to chemical exposure
• building co-culture air-liquid interface in vitro models of pulmonary exposure.

Highly valued skills are:

• A strong background in cell and molecular biology. 
• Knowledge of in vitro toxicology and pharmacology. 
• Knowledge of multiplex ELISA.
• Knowledge of exosome isolation and characterization
• Knowledge of omics pipelines (RNA seq, ATAC seq).
• Knowledge of co-culture, microfluidics, and air-liquid interface are a big plus.

For all the three positions the successful candidates will pursue a doctoral degree at Tampere University. The position of doctoral researcher offers you the opportunity to concentrate full time on your doctoral studies while receiving high-quality supervision along with the freedom and encouragement to develop your ideas in a supportive, inspirational and multidisciplinary research environment.   

Requirements

You need to have a Master’s degree in an applicable field and have demonstrated (during your studies towards the Master’s degree or otherwise) the competence and motivation to pursue postgraduate studies. Please be prepared to provide proof of your merits when requested.

Successful candidates must be pursuing or will be accepted to study towards a doctoral degree in the doctoral programme of the discipline. Please visit the admissions webpage https://www.tuni.fi/en/study-with-us/programmes/doctoral-programmes for more information on eligibility requirements.

Skills required by successful applicants for all three open positions:

• Dynamic and positive thinking
• Curiosity
• Critical thinking and ability to interpret experimental results
• Good collaboration and teamwork skills 
• Good written and spoken English
• Good presentation and communication skills
• Time and task management
• Independent work capability.

Tampere University is a unique, multidisciplinary and boldly forward-looking, evolving community. Our values are openness, diversity, responsibility, courage, critical thinking, erudition bildung, and learner-centredness. We hope that you can embrace these values and promote them in your work.

We offer

The position will be filled for a fixed-term period of two years. The starting date is May 1st, 2023 or as mutually agreed. A trial period of six months applies to all our new employees.

The salary will be based on both the job requirements and the employee’s personal performance in accordance with the salary system of Finnish universities. According to the criteria applied to teaching and research staff, the position of a Doctoral Researcher is placed on level 2—4 of the job requirements scale.

We are inviting you to be part of an enthusiastic and dynamic work environment, possibility to expand collaborative network both nationally and internationally as well as cutting edge publications in top journals.

We value interdisciplinarity, as it allows you to expand your research network and exposes you to new perspectives and ideas to solve complex research problems and pursue novel research findings. We are strongly committed to the highest level of scientific research and the provision of high-quality doctoral education. 

As a member of staff at Tampere University, you will enjoy a range of competitive benefits, such as occupational health care services, flexible work schedule, versatile research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities and a safe and inviting campus area as well as a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities in your free time. Please read more about working at Tampere University. You can also find more information about us and working and living Tampere by watching our video: Tampere Higher Education Community - our academic playground.  

Finland is among the most stable, free and safe countries in the world, based on prominent ratings by various agencies. Tampere is the largest inland city of Finland, and the city is counted among the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries. Tampere region is the most rapidly growing urban area in Finland and home to a vibrant knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community. The city is an industrial powerhouse that enjoys a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland’s information society. Tampere is also surrounded by vivid nature with forests and lakes, providing countless opportunities for easy-to-access outdoor adventures and refreshment throughout the year. 

Read more about Finland and Tampere: 

•   Visit Finland
•   This is Finland
•   Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment: Welcome to Finland
•   Visit Tampere

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system (link below). Please choose on the online application form to which of the three open positions you are applying for (Artificial intelligence in toxicology / Personalized cancer immunotherapy / In vitro toxicology). The closing date for applications is March 26^th, 2023 at 23:59 (EEST / UTC+3) . Please write your application and all the accompanying documentation in English and attach them in PDF format.

Please attach the following documents to your application: 

• Curriculum vitae according to the TENK template 
• A research statement, and
• A cover letter including names of at least two referees.

For further information, please contact:

Professor, Dario Greco, dario.greco@tuni.fi 

// The closing date for applications has been extended to March 26th, 2023 at 23:59 (EEST / UTC+3) //

***

Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat yhdessä Suomen toiseksi suurimman monitieteisen, innostavan ja vaikuttavan tutkimus- ja oppimisyhteisön. Korkeakouluyhteisömme osaamiskärjet ovat tekniikka, terveys ja yhteiskunta. Lue lisää: www.tuni.fi

Lääketieteen ja terveysteknologian tiedekunnan FHAIVE -tutkimusryhmä etsii kolmea väitöskirjatutkijaa.

Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävistä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta.

Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta). Tehtävän hakuaika päättyy 26.3.2023 klo 23:59.

// Tehtävän hakuaikaa on jatkettu 26.3.2023 klo 23:59 saakka. //