Postdoctoral Researcher or Senior Research Fellow in human physiology

We are now looking for a

Postdoctoral Researcher or Senior Research Fellow in human physiology with background in environmental physiology

to join us in the Research unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine. The research unit includes 18 research groups. The research of the unit aims at identifying preventive measures and novel therapeutic approaches for common debilitating diseases while ensuring safe pharmacotherapy and informing of environmental exposures and chemical risks. The unit utilizes human cohorts, clinical trials, human exercise testing and training, autopsy and biobank samples, genomics, animal models, as well as advanced cell and 3D tissue models to study metabolic, cardiovascular, immune, and environmental disease mechanisms.

About the job

We are interested in applicants strengthening the research focus of the Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine in the field of human physiology / whole-body metabolic regulation and environmental physiology.

The postdoctoral researcher/ senior research fellow will be a dynamic individual who provides vision, leadership, and guidance in the field of human physiology. The successful applicant should have a strong background in research and teaching of metabolic whole body physiology / metabolic regulation and environmental physiology. The duties of applicant are to take part in both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in the medical school.

Qualifications for successful candidate include a doctoral degree, high quality scientific competence, experience in supervising scientific research, and ability to give high quality education based on research and supervision of doctoral theses.

When assessing the applicant’s merits, issues taken into consideration include scientific publications, experience in postgraduate training and other research achievements, teaching to medical students, experience, and other teaching merits. In addition, the applicant’s activity, in the scientific community, success in acquiring domestic and international research funding, as well as international scientific experience and activities at the University or unit-level administrative experience will be taken into consideration.

What we offer

• The support of an experienced and enthusiastic unit where you can share your expertise and grow as an expert.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture, and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits here.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and your close ones in settling into Oulu.
• Development and career options of the big organization.
• We have an HR Excellence in Research -quality label, which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers. 
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, an excellent education system, and a competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Who are you?

The reguirements for Postdoctoral Researcher: 

• Doctoral degree preferably in whole body human physiology / environmental physiology. . The doctoral degree must have been completed by the closing date for applications. The degree must have been obtained no more than 10 years ago.
• Ability for independent scientific work in the field of human physiology / whole body metabolic regulation and thermoregulation.
• The candidate should have teaching experience towards medical students in the field of human physiology/ metabolic and environmental physiology. 
• Fluent in written and spoken Finnish or English.

The reguirements for Senior Research Fellow

The person selected to the position of Senior Research Fellow is required to have a suitable doctoral degree in the field of human physiology /metabolic regulation and environmental regulation and evidence of scientific research work in this field, as well as the teaching skills required (record of lecture experiences). The position requires the ability to lead a research team and to acquire supplementary research funding. In the selection process, working in more than one research institute during a career is emphasized, especially scientific work abroad and evidence of international cooperation. The evaluation of the merits are based on the applicant’s CV, publication record, teaching record and other application documents.

When fulfilling a position of a Senior Research Fellow, the following criteria are evaluated:

• scientific activities and their reflection in the publication record, scientific presentations and other recognitions in the field of human physiology with focus on whole body metabolic regulation and environmental physiology.
• teaching activities and their evaluation (teaching portfolio; including students’ evaluation) in human physiology for medical students
• supervision of diploma and doctoral students
• acquisition of competitive research funds
• international scientific activities, board memberships and research grants
• services for the scientific communities in the field of physiology
• academic and societal relevance and potential of activities
• University or unit-level administrative experience 
• fluent in written and spoken English or Finnish

Salary

The position is fixed term from 1.6.2026 until 31.12.2029.

The salary will be based on the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities (postdoctoral researcher at levels 5-6 and senior research fellow at levels 6-7). In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (a maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). The starting gross salary will be approx. 3700-4300 € or 4200-5700 € per month (before taxes) depending on the level.  

A trial period of 6 months is applied to the positions.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 17.4.2026 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

The application should be written in English and include the following:

1. CV, following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity 
2. Cover letter
3. List of publications including abstracts, following the guidelines of the Academy of Finland 
4. Certificates/Diplomas
5. Contact information of 2 persons available for recommendation

The candidate is expected to outline how their planned activities will align and integrate with the work of current members of the physiology groups. Please include the plans for future directions for teaching human physiology.

If you are applying for Senior Research Fellow position, please include also:

1. A brief account of research merits
2. A teaching portfolio containing:
   1. Teaching philosophy, teaching strategies, and methods
   2. Teacher’s self-reflection on his/her teaching style, a personal background idea of teaching; how are these reflected in teaching?
   3. A description of oneself as a teacher and an implementer of educational work
   4. Practical experience in teaching and efforts to improve teaching
   5. Description of educational material (curricula, handouts, assignments, workbooks)
   6. Professional development as a teacher
   7. Evaluation of teaching (student evaluations, peer evaluations, awards, and assessed test lectures)
   8. Plans for future directions of teaching in the discipline concerned
3. Details regarding the acquisition of research funds
4. A brief research and action plan
5. List of experiences on the University or unit-level administrative

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

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, such as people of different ages, different genders, and members of different linguistic, cultural, or minority groups. 

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact Professor Karl-Heinz Herzig, karl-heinz.herzig@oulu.fi +358294485280.