Early stage researcher

We are seeking an early stage researcher to work on the project component entitled "Establishment of in vivo RNAi screens for regulators of neurogenesis", ESR5, in the EU MCA Initial Training Network project R'Birth (http://www.rbirth.eu/) at the Turku Centre for Biotechnology.

Much is known about actions of the MAPKs JNK and p38 in the nervous system, but the upstream regulators coordinating the diverse functions of MAPKs is often unclear. This project involves application of high-throughput methods to develop RNAi libraries suitable for stable and traceable knockdown, and apply selection to iteratively simplify the library and identify the MAPK regulators with most potent influence on different steps in neurogenesis. In parallel the activation of MAPK pathway components will be investigated by development of activator trap methods.

Please see http://www.rbirth.eu/research-project-3-uef/ for details about the project and http://www.btk.fi/research/affiliated-groups/courtney-michael-neuronal-signa... for details about the lab.

Applicants are expected to be familiar with cell signalling and molecular biology methods. Demonstrated prior practical experience with any of the following may put a candidate at a strong advantage: manipulation of plasmid DNA and generation of point mutants, use of high-throughput methods and/or instrumentation, in vivo or ex vivo electroporation, RNAi, transposases and integrases, animal models, cell and/or tissue culture and neurogenesis. Candidates should clearly indicate in their application whether they have any experience in any of these areas.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA for an early stage researcher:

An early stage researcher (ESR) is a researcher who at the time of recruitment has not yet been awarded a doctoral degree and is in the first 4 years of his/her researcher career (i.e. the date of your Masters or Bachelors degree, depending which is required for starting a doctoral degree in the country where this degree was awarded).

Mobility requirements: At the time of recruitment, the researcher must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity in the country of the beneficiary (Finland in this case) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to his/her recruitment under the project.

Nationality: the researcher can be of any nationality.

The EU funding for this position provides a fixed salary based on a euro amount (thus the salary is not in accordance with the universities salary system). Further information about the salary can be obtained at http://www.rbirth.eu/vacancies/ and from coordinator Ulla Karhunen (ulla.karhunen@btk.fimailto:ulla.karhunen@btk.fi). The position is for a fixed term from May 4th, 2015 (or as agreed) to August 31st, 2017. The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found. There is a trial period of four months. The review of applications starts on April 28th and ends at the latest on May 31st.

A link to the electronic application system can be found on top of the position advertisement from the following link: http://www.utu.fi/careers (position ID 974).

Required attachments:

- Motivation letter, indicating the position applied for, outlining why you are interested in the position, your previous research projects and your career goals. - CV detailing your education, performance (primary/secondary degree and any research activities). - List of Publications and presentations at meetings and conferences, if any. - Contact details for two referees that have played a supervisory role in your career to date.

Attach also a statement specifying

- the date of your Masters and/or Bachelors degree (see eligibility criteria above), - briefly, your familiarity (practical and/or theoretical) in any of the research areas mentioned in the call text above. - the earliest date you would be free to start in the position if selected.

Please contact Michael Courtney miccou@utu.fimailto:miccou@utu.fi for any questions regarding this position. Enquiries concerning the application procedure and the salary may be directed to coordinator Ulla Karhunen, email: ulla.karhunen@btk.fimailto:ulla.karhunen@btk.fi, Tel.: +358 2 333 8042.