The position is open in Barboric laboratory at the Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Biochemistry & Developmental Biology at University of Helsinki. My research group, which consists of two doctoral students, a postdoc and a senior scientist, investigates mechanisms that control transcription elongation by RNA polymerase II. This phase in gene transcription has emerged only recently as a major regulatory step in metazoan gene expression. By using biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics and systems biology approaches, we are seeking to understand biological roles P-TEFb and Cdk12/CycK complexes, key transcription elongation kinases, their function in mRNA synthesis and processing, as well as the significance of RNA polymerase II elongation control in human diseases such as cancer. The selected student will have an opportunity to work on two areas of immediate interest. First, we are developing assays to reveal the nature of coordination between gene transcription and pre-mRNA maturation. Second, we are studying how frequently occurring CDK12 mutations in cancers contribute to genomic instability.

Requirements I am looking for a committed, creative and independent thinker willing to work hard towards the research objectives. The competitive candidate should have a strong passion for science and genuine interest in gene expression. He/She could be a Masters student or a student looking for a laboratory to start his/her doctoral studies and must have a strong theoretical background in molecular biology. Expertise in molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics or related fields is pre-requisite for the position. Also, good command in spoken and written English is required. Please send your application including a cover letter, CV, summary of your research interests, and 2 letters of reference to matjaz.barboric@helsinki.fimailto:matjaz.barboric@helsinki.fi and valentina.lenasi@helsinki.fimailto:valentina.lenasi@helsinki.fi

Employment conditions The selected candidate will be offered a monthly grant with an initial 3-month trial period. If successful, the period will be first extended to one year, with a possibility of furthering the contract depending on the financial situation of the laboratory.

The Institute of Biomedicine offers a unique and stimulating research environment surrounded by state-of-the-art resources and facilities of the leading and largest biomedical research campus in Finland. http://www.biomed.helsinki.fi/english/

The University of Helsinki is a research oriented university which offers stimulating and international environment and ranks in top 15 best universities in Europe. http://www.helsinki.fi/research/index.shtml

For further information, please contact: Matjaz Barboric, Ph.D. Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki Biomedicum Helsinki 1, Room B233b, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland Email: matjaz.barboric@helsinki.fimailto:matjaz.barboric@helsinki.fi References: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Barboric+M