Finland Job Openings

Helsingin yliopiston

Postdoctoral/Graduate student positions in structural biology/chemical biology/virology

Helsinki

October 10, 2024

The Hi LIFE - Institute of Biotechnology and the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki are announcing several open positions in three different research groups at the University of Helsinki Viikki campus.

Project Description

Three research groups jointly announce open positions in the following project areas 1) structural virology, 2) structural parasitology in the area of mitochondrial supercomplexes and protein translation 3) antiviral inhibitors of protein secretion and 4) novel molecular glue activators of cell-protective stress pathways. The projects will be housed at the University of Helsinki Viikki campus in the groups of Prof. Sarah Butcher (project #1), Group Leader Dr. Alexander Mühleip (project #2) and Research Director Dr. Ville Paavilainen (projects #3-4). All of the positions will be affiliated with a single research group with more detailed project descriptions below. All of the participating groups are located in the same building with shared group meetings and high synergy, including many ongoing collaborative projects. As a result, the selected people will benefit from a highly synergistic and collaborative environment.

Project #1: Sarah Butcher

The Hi LIFE - Institute of Biotechnology and the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki, renowned for its international research excellence, is excited to announce openings for both a postdoctoral researcher and a Ph D researcher to join the group of Prof. Sarah Butcher.

Our research focusses on pathogen-host interactions. The successful postdoctoral researcher will join the new Horizon Europe consortium, REFINE to work on West Nile virus entry, inhibition, and prevention, using molecular biology, and structural virology with an emphasis on reconstitution of membrane proteins, virus-antibody interactions, single-particle cryo-EM and image reconstruction. The successful Ph D researcher will join the new COMBAT VIRUS project funded by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, to work on vaccine development for picornaviruses and characterisation of antiviral molecules. The work will involve primarily single particle cryo EM and image reconstruction. We lead the University of Helsinki cryo EM facility and will give training on all of the relevant techniques, using the in-house 200-k V Talos Arctica microscope fitted with a Falcon 4i camera. Computational resources are provided by the national supercomputer center.

About you

you are an ambitious, goal-oriented, team player, motivated to tackle challenging new projects
you are trained in structural biology and virology
a background in protein or virus purification is desirable
commitment to scientific excellence as demonstrated by a strong publication record
excellent command of English to fit into our international group
strong communication, social, and time management skills

What we offer

a fixed-term 4-year position with a 6-month trial period (Ph D position open immediately until filled, postdoctoral position open from March 2025)
a collaborative, innovative and inclusive work environment
performance-related salary (job demands level 2-4 for Ph D researcher, level 5 for postdoctoral researcher), 5-7 weeks of annual leave, flexible working hours
financial support with Finnish visa and residency permits, if applicable
occupational health care, access to high-quality sports facilities and language classes

Project #2: Postdoctoral Researcher in structural mitochondrial biology

The Hi LIFE - Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Helsinki, renowned for its international research excellence, is excited to announce an opening for a postdoctoral researcher or Ph D graduate student to join the group of Dr. Alexander Mühleip.

Project Description

The research of the group is focused on understanding how protein complexes organise mitochondrial membranes in protozoan parasites and when disrupted by human mitochondrial disorders. The successful applicant will work on the structural and functional characterisation of protein complexes involved in mitochondrial energy conversion and translation in protozoan parasites using protein biochemistry, single-particle cryo-EM and in-situ cryo-electron tomography with subtomogram averaging. Specifically, the project is aimed at visualisation of inner-membrane architecture and characterising parasite-specific modulation of membrane biogenesis. The candidate will also have the opportunity to study the structural basis for inhibition of mitochondrial translation in Toxoplasma gondii in collaboration with leading expert Prof. Lilach Sheiner (University of Glasgow). The project offers the unique opportunity to combine parasitology and mitochondrial biology with state-of-the-art structural biology techniques. The group benefits from in-house availability of a 200-k V Talos Arctica microscope, complemented by access to 300-k V cryo-electron microscopes for data collection at international facilities.

About you

you are ambitious, goal-oriented, collegial and motivated to tackle challenging new projects
prospective Ph D and postdoctoral researchers should be in the final stages of their thesis submission) in an area of structural biology
prior experience structural biology is critical, a background in electron cryo-tomography and subtomogram averaging is a strong asset
skills in computational protein structure and cryo-EM data processing are desirable
a background in protein purification is desirable
commitment to scientific excellence as demonstrated by a strong publication record
excellent command of English (working language at the institute)
strong communication, interpersonal, organizational and time management skills

What we offer

a fixed-term 3-year position with possible extension, expected opening for all positions either late Autumn 2024 or beginning of 2025.
a collaborative, innovative and inclusive work environment
support and mentoring for postdoctoral fellowship applications (EMBO, Marie-Curie etc.)
a competitive salary depending on your qualifications and personal performance, 5-7 weeks of annual holiday leave, flexible working hours
financial support with Finnish visa and residency permits, if applicable
occupational health care and access to high-quality sports facilities

Project #3: Postdoctoral Researcher in structural biology

Project Description

The current research in the group has two directions with recent funding from the European Union and US National Institutes of Health. The overall goal of the group is to understand basic mechanisms of protein biogenesis, particularly within the early secretory pathway and in the membrane of the mammalian endoplasmic reticulum. Ongoing drug discovery efforts to target ER protein biogenesis in a client-selective manner are aimed for diseases such as cancer and inflammatory conditions. Here, one project is to study how client-selective inhibition of secretory protein biogenesis could be pursued as a new antiviral strategy against viruses such as Ebola. In the second project, we aim to develop new small molecule tools to activate specific ER stress responses as a cell-protective strategy with relevance to neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson’s and Altzheimer’s diseases. This work involves structural biology and biophysical experiments to characterize molecular glue mechanisms with their target proteins in collaboration with synthetic chemistry partners. Both projects take advantage of state-of-the-art structural biology methods, including cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography, chemical biology approaches as well as biophysical studies. The group benefits from in-house availability of a 200-k V Talos Arctica microscope, complemented by abundant access to 300-k V cryo-electron microscopes for data collection at international facilities as well as modern X-ray sources in-house as well as frequent access to European synchrotron sources as part of a Finnish block allocation group.

About you

you are ambitious, goal-oriented, collegial and motivated to tackle challenging new projects
Ph D degree (or be in the final stages of Ph D submission) in an area of structural biology, for example using X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM approaches, including atomistic modelling of macromolecules.
Prior experience in computational protein structure analysis
high interest in learning structural biology methods (comprehensive cryo-EM training will be provided)
Experience in protein purification is preferable
commitment to scientific excellence as demonstrated by a strong publication record
excellent command of English (working language at the institute)
strong communication, interpersonal, organizational and time management skills

What we offer

a fixed-term 3-year position with possible extension
a collaborative, innovative and inclusive work environment
support and mentoring for postdoctoral fellowship applications (EMBO, Marie-Curie etc.)
a competitive salary depending on your qualifications and personal performance, 5-7 weeks of annual holiday leave, flexible working hours
financial support with Finnish visa and residency permits, if applicable
occupational health care and access to high-quality sports facilities

General info

How to apply?

Welcome with your application in English (click the ‘apply’ link), as soon as possible or no later than November 7th, 2024. Please note that applications will be continually reviewed. The position is available immediately or according to mutual agreement. Applications should include a cover letter, CV, and contact details of three references. For further information on the position, please contact the group leaders Prof. Sarah Butcher (sarah.butcher@helsinki.fi), Dr. Alexander Mühleip (alexander.muhleip@helsinki.fi) or Dr. Ville Paavilainen (ville.paavilainen@helsinki.fi).

Further degree requirements

Further degree requirement for doctoral researcher position: The appointee must apply, and obtain, the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki within the probationary period of 6 months: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/admissions-and-education/apply-doctoral-programmes/how-apply-doctoral-education

Further degree requirement for postdoctoral position: The degree requirement must be met by the beginning of the employment.

About the Institute of Biotechnology, Hi LIFE, University of Helsinki

The Institute of Biotechnology is an independent research institute within the Helsinki Institute of Life Science (Hi LIFE), at the University of Helsinki, Finland, and at the global forefront of life science research with state-of-the-art research core facilities in genomics, biological imaging and structural biology. According to the 2024 Times Higher Education World University survey, the University of Helsinki is ranked among the top 80 universities world-wide in life science research. The University of Helsinki is committed to providing a welcoming environment for international researchers, offering comprehensive services and support for relocating to Finland—a country known for its high quality of life, excellent education system, and robust support for research and innovation.

The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants of any gender and age, linguistic or cultural background, or minority group.

Click this link to read about accessibility and inclusivity at our University.

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