A global setting (Oulu-Bristol-Melbourne) for international and multidisciplinary science

Applications are invited for a two 4-year PhD student position (starting 1.1.2020) in a Biocenter Oulu research project headed by Professors Johannes Kettunen (Systems medicine) and Mika Ala-Korpela (Computational Medicine).

The positions and the work to be done are part of our global endeavour aiming to understand and improve cardiometabolic risk assessment by conducting high-throughput multi-omics profiling of extensive population cohorts and trials at unprecedented sample-sizes. Large-scale studies are a prerequisite for statistically sound metabolic stratifications as well as for understanding the (patho)physiological function of potential new disease biomarkers and the causal pathways in disease aetiology with the aid of modern genetic data. Please see the following recent papers to understand our thinking; PubMed PMID numbers: 29106475, 29038155, 28569269, 27955712, 27789667, 27005778 and 27989323.

Requirements

Position 1: We are seeking for a scientist to conduct large-scale systems epidemiological applications and studies in relation to serum metabolomics and lipidomics.

Position 2: We are seeking for a scientist to conduct large-scale systems epidemiological applications and studies in relation to emerging urine metabolomics platform.

We would expect you to have an MSc degree in Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Medical Sciences, Statistics, Epidemiology, Computer Science or in a related area. You would also need to have good skills in written and spoken English. Knowledge of medical & epidemiological statistics and skills to use R would be quite essential. These positions include studies that often contain a genetic component so experience in genetics will be considered favourably. In addition, already shown capability and knowledge of scientific writing and publishing process, in the form of a few co-authored peer-reviewed publications in good international journals, would be a highly appreciated merit for these research positions.

We are offering an international, dynamic working environment in which quality and professionalism are encouraged. We have extensive international collaboration and are tightly connected to the UK epidemiology community (mainly University of Bristol, University of Oxford and University of Cambridge) and Australia (Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute & Monash University). Depending on the scientific project, mobility between relevant research sites would be encouraged.

In Oulu we have light summers and snowy winters, cooperative and competent people, active development, and high-class public services.  University of Oulu offers an excellent setting for study, work, research and personal development.

Enthusiastic candidates are encouraged to contact Prof Ala-Korpela (mika.ala-korpela@oulu.fi) or Dr Kettunen (johannes.kettunen@oulu.fi) for further information.

A six-month trial period will be effective in the beginning of a contract.

Salary

The salary of selected doctoral students will be initially set on level 2, and later on levels 2 – 4 of the national salary scale for the teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a supplementary remuneration is given for personal achievement and performance (max. 50 %). In practice, the salary is roughly 2200 – 2700 € per month for an early stage researcher, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and progress of the doctoral thesis.

Application

Applications must be submitted using the electronic application form by 31.10.2019, 24:00 (Finnish local time), with the following attachments:

1. Complete CV containing contact information of at least two referees (Max. size limit of the attachment: 5 Mbytes)
2. Motivation letter (maximum 1 page) describing prior knowledge and research interests and career plans (1-2 pages; max. size limit of the attachment: 2 Mbytes).
3. Certificates/Diplomas: Scanned electronic copies of diplomas and transcripts of the records of relevant previous degrees. If the original documents are not in English, Finnish or Swedish, each document must be accompanied by an official certified translation into English or Finnish. (Max. size limit of the attachment: 2 Mbytes)

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Other relevant information

The eligible applicants fitting best in the research profile expected for the position may be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified when the selection process is completed.

Contact details

Professor Johannes Kettunen (johannes.kettunen@oulu.fi)

Professor Mika Ala-Korpela (mika.ala-korpela@oulu.fi)