The University of Helsinki is among the leading multidisciplinary research universities in the world. In addition to its 11 faculties, the University includes several independent institutes, some of which are jointly operated with other universities. Over 30,000 students are pursuing an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree at the University of Helsinki.

The Department of Veterinary Biosciences performs research in anatomy, developmental biology, biochemistry, physiology, genetics, microbiology, pathology and epidemiology, and gives education in these fields. The department is known for research on host-microbe interactions, and hosts one of the leading laboratories in the research of the development of the bovine immune system. We are located at the Viikki Campus, which is one of the largest centers of biosciences research and education in Europe.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine invites applications for the position of a

DOCTORAL STUDENT OR POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER

for a fixed period, starting as soon as possible, but preferably latest by 2 January 2018. The employmentship is until the end of 2019 for a doctoral student or approximately 18 months for a postdoctoral researcher. The research project has existing funding until the end of 2019. Further funding is being applied.

The position is at the Department of Veterinary Biosciences, in a research project investigating the prenatal microbiota and its interactions with the developing intestinal immune system. The mammalian fetus has traditionally been thought to develop in a sterile uterine environment. Recent research indicates that the maternal microbiota influences the fetus and may be essential for the proper development of the immune system. It is however not yet known whether live microbes exist in the fetus and what is the actual physiological significance of the prenatal host-microbe interactions. We study cattle and other domestic species in which the intestinal microbiota is especially interesting and important, and in which it can be studied more thoroughly than in humans. We are currently in the process of publishing the first results of the project. More information and application at https://www.helsinki.fi/en/open-positions/doctoral-student-postdoctoral-rese...

Apply at latest 05.11.2017.