an Early Stage Researcher (Biomedical MRI) position – A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Kuopio Campus, University of Eastern Finland
2.7.2020The University of Eastern Finland, UEF, is one of the largest multidisciplinary universities in Finland. We offer education in nearly one hundred major subjects, and are home to approximately 15,500 students and 2,700 members of staff. We operate in Joensuu and Kuopio. In international rankings, we are ranked among the leading universities in the world.
The Faculty of Health Sciences operates at the Kuopio Campus of the University of Eastern Finland. The Faculty offers education in medicine, dentistry, nutrition and pharmacy, as well as in some other central fields of the health care sector. The Faculty is research-intensive, and its internationally recognised research activities are closely linked to the strategic research areas of the University. There are approximately 2 500 degree students and about 450 PhD students in the Faculty. The faculty has 680 staff members. http://www.uef.fi/en/ttdk/etusivu
We are now inviting applications for an Early Stage Researcher (Biomedical MRI) position, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Kuopio Campus The researcher will work in a project, where hyperpolarised metabolic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques at high and low magnetic fields will be used to study cerebral ischaemia (stroke), the cause of 10% of annual deaths worldwide. Metabolic information obtained with hyperpolarisation MR techniques is optimal for stroke imaging because it reports on fast catabolic processes disturbed in stroke (e.g. lactate formation and acidosis). These questions will be investigated in four interleaved work packages, in which the necessary preclinical techniques for high and low magnetic field imaging of stroke will be explored using a range of hyperpolarised metabolic (e.g. pyruvate, glucose) and perfusion markers. Furthermore, the project will aim to deepen the understanding of hyperpolarised signal kinetics in the brain. The project is expected to result in novel tools for high and low magnetic field metabolic imaging of stroke, which will complementexisting techniques such as CT and FDG-PET. Techniques are applicable to other neurodiseases with perturbed metabolism, such as traumatic brain injury, as well as cancer research.
The researher will work in a group led by Research Director Mikko Kettunen. The group focuses on developing new metabolic MRI techniques using hyperpolarised markers, and the project forms a part of the researcher’s PhD thesis.
A person to be appointed as an early stage researcher shall be qualified to pursue postgraduate studies, i.e. he or she is required to have completed a suitable higher university degree or an equivalent education abroad which in the country in question would qualify the person for similar academic studies. Positions of early stage researchers shall always be filled for a fixed term (UEF University Regulations, Section 31).
The person to be appointed to the position is required to hold a higher university degree in suitable field (including but not limited to biochemistry, physics, engineering). Previous experience in animal experiments or MR research is preferable but not essential. Good knowledge of written and spoken English is required.
The position is filled for a fixed-term period of one year from 1.9.2020 to 31.8.2021. The starting date of the position can be agreed, but the selected person must start at latest on 1.11.2020. The position is filled for a fixed-term due to it pertaining to a specific project.
In addition to CV and the publication list, the applicant should include a motivation letter and the names of up to three references.
The salary of the position is determined in accordance with the salary system of Finnish universities and is based on levels 2 – 4 of the job requirement level chart for teaching and research staff (€2,055.66 – 2,563.09/month). In addition to the job requirement component, the salary includes a personal performance component, which may be a maximum of 50 % of the job requirement component.
For further information on the position, please contact: Research Director Mikko Kettunen, +358 29 445 4067, mikko.kettunen@uef.fi
For further information on the application procedure, please contact: saima-asiattt@uef.fiA probationary period is applied to all new members of the staff.
The electronic application should contain the following appendices:
– a résumé or CV (https://tenk.fi/en/advice-and-materials/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae)
– a list of publications (http://www.aka.fi/en/funding/how-to-apply/appendices-required/guidelines-for-list-of-publications/)
– copies of the applicant’s academic degree certificates/ diplomas, and copies of certificates / diplomas relating to the applicant’s language proficiency, if not indicated in the academic degree certificates/diplomas
– motivation letter
The application needs to be submitted no later than 16.8.2020 (by 24.00 hours Finnish time) by using the electronic application form.