Post-doctoral researchers and/or PhD-students in cell biology and stem cell biology
14.6.2021The HiLIFE – Institute of Biotechnology (BI), located in the Viikki science park, is a research institute at University of Helsinki. The institute harbors ~35 research groups and 250 researchers, and it operates at the highest international level. For more information on the Institute, please visit https://www.helsinki.fi/en/hilife-institute-of-biotechnology.
The laboratory of Dr. Jette Lengefeld is inviting applications for post-doctoral researchers and/or PhD-students in cell biology and stem cell biology.
The failure to regenerate tissue with age is a major health issue. A contributor to this decline is the loss of stem cell function. Despite the essential role of stem cells, it is still unclear how they fail to maintain their functions during ageing and disease. We discovered a new aspect of stem cell ageing in vivo: cellular enlargement. With age and damage, stem cells increase in size causing their functional decline. However, we are only beginning to understand how size impacts stem cell fitness and the physiological importance of this process remains unsolved.
The Lengefeld research group uses blood (hematopoietic) stem cells from mice and human bone marrow donations to address these fascinating questions:
- What pathways cause stem cell dysfunction during their enlargement?
We use blood (hematopoietic) stem cells of mouse models to identify the molecular mechanisms impairing fitness of large stem cells from a metabolic perspective. - Can we rejuvenate stem cells after aging and damage?
We explore approaches to rejuvenate stem cells and investigate the effects on cellular ageing and organismal health. - Does deregulation of size lead to cancer?
We utilize blood stem cells from mice and humans to identify factors that facilitate leukaemia in vivo and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.
The post-doctoral applicants should hold PhD in cell biology, stem cell biology, cell size regulation or a related field. Strong expertise in stem cell biology and experience working with mice is highly beneficial. The PhD-student applicants should obtain MSc or related degree in the biology field latest by August 2022, and have a strong interest to carry out cutting-edge research. The positions will provide multiple opportunities for collaborations with potential lab visits abroad. An attitude to drive own research and work in an intra and inter team fashion is highly appreciated. In return, the candidates are offered an access to a wide variety of methodologies and advanced techniques. The working language of the laboratory, the BI and HiLIFE is English and good communication skills in English are required.
The postdoctoral researcher and PhD-student positions are initially limited to 2 and 4 years, respectively, with a possibility of extension. A trial period of 6 months will be applied, and the salaries will be based on the University salary scheme for teaching and research personnel composed of both task specific and personal performance components.
Application should include the following documents as a single pdf file: CV, list of publications, motivation letter including a description of your research interests, and the names and telephone numbers of at least two referees.
Please submit your application, together with the required attachments, through the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system by clicking the “Apply for the position” – link below. Applicants employed by the University of Helsinki must submit their application through the SAP HR portal.
The deadline for the applications is 8th of July 2021, but the positions will be filled immediately once suitable candidates have been identified.
For informal inquiries, contact ‘jette.lengefeld(at)helsinki.fi’, and for more information about our research, please visit https://www2.helsinki.fi/en/hilife-institute-of-biotechnology/research/c…
For technical support regarding the recruitment system, please contact rekrytointi@helsinki.fi.