Description of position 

Orion has embarked on a growth journey, and we are strengthening our team of professionals. We are looking for an in vivo Research Assistant to join Orion´s Cancer Genomics team. You will be part of a dynamic and enthusiastic research team consisting of in vivo and in vitro research assistants and scientists. In this role you will contribute to oncology in-vivo studies and the unit’s technical excellence, while ensuring the highest standard of testing environment. This permanent position is based in Turku, Finland.

The responsibilities include:

  • Ensuring the health and welfare of animals in accordance with the local rules and regulations.
  • Performing a wide range of pharmacological in vivo techniques complying with the local Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act and the associated Codes of Practice for the Housing and Care of the Animals used in Scientific Procedures.
  • Performing in vivo studies to test novel drugs' efficacy and mechanism of action mainly in rodent oncology disease models (e.g. xenografts, PDX, syngeneic models) according to the scientist's guidance, study plans, and Standard Operating Procedure(s).
  • Maintaining accurate records in accordance with the appropriate regulatory standards.
  • Working in close collaboration with scientists, other in vivo technicians and animal caretakers on a daily basis while coordinating own daily work.
  • Participating in weekend and holiday cover for the in vivo unit.

Description of Unit

The Cancer Genomics research team, part of Oncology Research R&D, utilizes genomic data in the discovery of cancer vulnerabilities that guide novel drug target identification. We have broad in vivo and in vitro technological capabilities and state of the art laboratory facilities that are utilized in our innovative drug discovery projects. We conduct target validation and continuously develop disease models that translate novel concepts in cancer research into life-changing therapies.

We Offer

We offer you the opportunity to show your talent in one of the most innovative companies in Finland. You get a chance to work in a challenging field of work with excellent colleagues. You will also have the chance to do meaningful work and build the future of Orion. We are striving for excellence in everything we do. We succeed, learn together and appreciate each other. You'll be empowered to deliver value. Please visit our website to find further information about Orion as an employer https://www.orion.fi/en/careers/orion-as-an-employer/.

Get to know Orion's research assistants in this article https://www.orion.fi/en/newsroom/all-news/articles/we-are-orion/orion-research-assistants-work-to-defeat-cancer-and-relieve-pain-our-discovery-could-change-the-course-of-research/ and join our team of well-being professionals!

Requirements

To be a successful in vivo Research Assistant, ideally you should have the following educational and professional work experiences:

  • A degree in biology, bioanalytics, biotechnology engineering, laboratory technician (for example University of Applied Sciences) or in a related discipline.
  • Qualification for carrying out procedures on animals is required.
  • Concrete hands-on in vivo research experience especially in rodents (preferred experience in oncology models). 
  • Technical competence that includes rodent handling, injections (IV, IP, SC, and PO), palpation, bleeding, tissue harvest, processing samples for downstream applications and ex vivo analysis methods.
  • Ability to carry out routine tasks independently and procedures under instruction while organizing own daily work and supporting rest of the in vivo team.
  • We expect you thrive in a collaborative environment and have excellent attention to details with strong communication skills in Finnish and/or English
  • Flexibility and willingness to learn new techniques as a member of a research team.
  • Basic IT skills (at least Microsoft Office) and ability to learn new IT systems. 

Additional information

Please send your application in either English or Finnish by 5 May 2024. We may start discussions with the most suitable candidates already during the application period, and the position will be filled as soon as we find a suitable candidate. 

For further information, you may contact Julia Lindqvist, Head of Cancer Genomics (050 966 7975), on Tuesday, 23 April at 9-10. 

#LI-ORION

Approved medical examination which also includes drug testing is required prior to the employment. We will also carry out a security clearance prior to the employment for the selected person.


Orion Corporation operates in more than 30 countries, where we Orionees, 3600 in total, work in all kinds of positions. Among us there are Research Scientists, Laboratory Technicians, Engineers and IT Specialists as well as people working in Production, just to mention some examples. We offer diverse and responsible jobs to our personnel in a truly multi-disciplinary work environment. We encourage people to develop their competences and offer opportunities to affect the job description and creating their own career path at Orion. We are searching for top talents who are ready to share our passion for the work that we do.