Doctoral student position for Developmental Biology, 4-year position 2018-2021 in Biocenter Oulu and Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu

The University of Oulu (http://www.oulu.fi/english/) is one of the largest universities in Finland, with approximately 16 000 students and 3 000 employees. The University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS) (http://www.oulu.fi/uniogs/) provides the framework and conditions for high-quality, research-driven doctoral education at the University of Oulu, and field-specific doctoral training is provided by its multidisciplinary doctoral programmes. Biocenter Oulu (BCO) (http://www.oulu.fi/biocenter/) offers a high-level international multidisciplinary environment supplied with cutting-edge infrastructures.  Under this framework, the Health and Biosciences Doctoral Programme (HBS-DP) (http://www.oulu.fi/uniogs/dp/hbsdp) offers doctoral training in cell and molecular biology, molecular medicine, genetics, structural biology, bioinformatics, biocomputing, medicine, health sciences, and interdisciplinary topics.

Applications are invited for a full-time doctoral student position for a maximum of four years, starting at the earliest on 01.01.2018 in a Biocenter Oulu research project headed by Professor Seppo Vainio in the laboratory of Developmental Biology, Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (http://www.oulu.fi/biocenter/groups/vainio).

The research work aims to advance our understanding of the signalling pathways involved in normal nephrogenesis in diseases. One of the key questions is set up around the problem of how multipotent cells assemble in a spatially and temporally controlled manner to well-organized three-dimensional functional structures during organogenesis. The process is directed by cell-cell and tissue interactions mediated by the associated signals exchanged by the cells. The key signals mediating induction of nephrogenesis are the Wnts. We are currently focusing on complex signals carried by the extracellular vesicles (EVs) in kidney tubule induction, targeting their roles, molecular signature, value in diagnostic and use of microfluidic applications. Main skills desired from successful candidate include molecular cloning, RNA Seq., mammalian cell/ organoid/ issue/ organ culture, image and molecular functional analysis. Experience with EV isolation and characterization, and/ or primary kidney cells isolation and culture preferred. The position is supervised by Prof Seppo Vainio and the post-doctoral scientists in the laboratory.

Requirements

To successfully occupy the position of a doctoral student, the candidate must possess a Master’s degree or an equivalent degree (e.g. licentiate) preferably in biochemistry,  biology, or biotechnology. Degree must have been completed with good grades by 31.12.2017 (or latest before the job contract starts). Ability to pursue independent research and excellent writing and fluency in English is expected. The doctoral student position is intended for an Early Stage Researcher (ESR) who, according to the” European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers”, is defined as a researcher in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of his/her research activity, including the period of research training. Applicants will be either starting their doctoral training, or will have completed no more than two full years of training (adjusted for possible previous part-time status) at the time the position is filled. The selected candidate will carry out his/her doctoral studies in the Health and Biosciences Doctoral Programme of the University of Oulu Graduate School (UniOGS) and must meet the minimal requirements to receive doctoral study rights as defined in http://www.oulu.fi/uniogs/requirements_for_admission.

Salary

The salary of the selected doctoral student will be set on levels 2 – 4 of the national salary scale for the teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a supplementary remuneration will be given for personal achievement and performance (max. 46.3%). The total salary for these levels (before tax) currently ranges from about 1985 to 3621 Euros/month for full-time employment.

Application

Applications must be submitted using the electronic application form by November 23, 2017, 24:00 (Finnish local time), with the following attachments as three separate pdf files:

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)

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

-        Prof. Seppo Vainio, email: seppo.vainio (at) oulu.fi 

-        Concerning the general requirements and application procedures: Coordinator Ritva Saastamoinen, e-mail: ritva.saastamoinen (at) oulu.fi

https://rekry.saima.fi/certiahome/open_job_view.html?did=5600&jc=1&id=00004427&lang=en

For the other BCO positions, please see http://www.oulu.fi/biocenter/open-doctoral-training-positions.

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Ritva Saastamoinen, PhD, Docent

Coordinator, Adjunct associate professor

Health and Biosciences Doctoral Programme (HBS-DP)

Biocenter Oulu and University of Oulu Graduate School

P.O.Box 5000, FIN-90014 University of Oulu, Finland

(Visiting address: Aapistie 5A, Room 473B)

ritva.saastamoinen(at)oulu.fi

Tel: +358 294 48 6102, mobile +358 50 526 7164

http://www.oulu.fi/uniogs/dp/hbsdp

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