Project Researcher, Bioinformatics – University of Eastern Finland
19.6.2022https://rekry.saima.fi/certiahome/open_job_view.html?did=5600&jc=16&id=000013578&lang=en
The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for a Project Researcher position on the Kuopio Campus at the Institute of Biomedicine. The position will be filled until 31 December 2025, starting from 1 September 2022 (or starting date as agreed). Please find more information below and submit your application no later than 12 August 2022.
Role and salary
We are seeking a highly motivated and talented bioinformatics Project Researcher with an MSc to join our project Genomics of iNPH and Neurodegeneration, carried out jointly by the Genetics of Gene Regulation in Disease research group at the Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Eastern Finland, and the Kuopio NPH and Early AD research group at the Institute of Clinical Medicine and Neurosurgery of Kuopio University Hospital NeuroCenter. The hosting groups are affiliated with the UEF Neurosciences Research Community (Neuro-RC), and are located on the UEF Kuopio Campus, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences.
The main research project aims to decipher the genomics and genetics of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) and identify candidate disease driver genes at the single cell level in iNPH and its pathologies related to neurodegeneration, especially Alzheimer’s disease. The Project Researcher will also be able to participate in other, closely related research projects of Neuro-RC.
The main project will offer a unique opportunity to utilize the existing and continually increasing patient-related clinical and omics data from the local iNPH cohort as well as other resources like FinnGen. Due to the early AD pathology present in a subpopulation of iNPH, brain samples from of iNPH patients offer a unique window to evaluate how early AD pathology impairs neuronal network functions in living human brain tissue.
The main responsibilities of the Project Researcher are the development and implementation of bioinformatic data processing and analysis pipelines mainly in R, Python and/or shell languages for the integrative analysis of genomic, genetic, and other omics data types together with patient-related clinical data.
You will join a growing local network of bioinformaticians and be able to use the high-capacity computational infrastructure of the local Bioinformatics centre (https://bioinformatics.uef.fi/). As an employee of a Finnish university, you will also have access to the national computational infrastructure of the CSC (https://www.csc.fi/).
The position will be filled initially until 31 December 2025, starting from 1 September 2022 (or starting date as agreed). Possible continuation of the position can be agreed separately. The position will be filled for a fixed term due to it pertaining to a specific project. A probationary period is applied to all new members of the staff.
The salary of the position is determined in accordance with the salary system of the Finnish universities. The salary comprises two components: a job requirement component and a personal performance component. In this position, the job requirement level used to determine the job-related salary element is 3–4, and the personal performance salary element is 6–50% of the job-related salary element. The estimated monthly salary in the beginning of the employment will be 2733 – 3260 €/month.
Our requirements and expectations
We welcome highly motivated candidates with a bioinformatics background interested in integrating their knowledge into the field of neurodegeneration. The ideal candidate has experience and/or studies in bioinformatics, data sciences or machine learning, and possesses strong programming skills in R, Python, and/or shell. A high level of written and spoken English is essential. The position also requires good communications skills to work in a research team with members from different scientific backgrounds, and high degree of independence and initiative. A background in genetics and/or neuroscience is not mandatory, but desirable.
The candidate must be willing to combine complementary areas of knowledge in data sciences and neurosciences focused on the genetic and molecular basis of iNPH and neurodegeneration. As far as soft skills are concerned, we welcome candidates with a proactive, collaborative attitude, and who are enthusiastic about building, creating, and working in teams. Excellent candidates would actively participate in various intersectoral activities offered by the host teams and institutes, and are willing to spend some time abroad with our international academic partners and outside the university at our non-academic partner institutions.
The person appointed as a Project Researcher must hold an appropriate higher university degree or an equivalent degree that would qualify the person for doctoral studies. Candidates who are currently completing or have recently completed a MSc degree or equivalent are invited to apply, if they will have completed their degree before the agreed starting date.
Your benefits
You will have access to the university’s staff benefits, including
- extensive occupational health care
- staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants, as well as on a range of other services
- affordable sports services.
Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website.
You will have an opportunity to work in an interesting/meaningful/diverse role as part of our international, creative, participatory and inclusive academic community.
Enjoy your life in Finland! Known for its cleanliness, welfare know-how, modern technology and superb education system, Finland is an exotic and safe country to work in. Please visit the Life in Finland section on our website to learn more.
How to apply?
Submit your application by using our electronic application form no later than 12 August 2022 (by 23.00 CET).
Please note that the application is required to include the following appendices or information:
- CV (https://tenk.fi/en/advice-and-materials/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae)
- a list of publications (optional) (https://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply-for-funding/az-index-of-application-guidelines2/list-of-publications/)
- copies of your academic degree certificates/diplomas, and copies of certificates/diplomas relating to your language proficiency, if not indicated in the academic degree certificates/diplomas
- a motivation letter
- Master thesis (in any language), electronic copy as an appendice Selected publications
- 1-2 pages summary of the Master thesis in English (in pdf file)
- full name, mobile phone number and e-mail addresses of at least 2 referees
Questions?
For further information on the position and the research topic for which it is offered, please contact Research Director Sami Heikkinen, sami.heikkinen@uef.fi, +358 40 355 3393, or Professor of Neurosurgery Ville Leinonen, ville.leinonen@uef.fi, +358 44 717 2303, or visit https://sites.uef.fi/crc/nph-and-early-ad-group/ and https://uefconnect.uef.fi/en/group/genetics-of-gene-regulation-in-disease/.
For further information on the application procedure, please contact HR-secretary Minna Leskinen, e-mail minna.k.leskinen@uef.fi, tel. +358 29 4458373.
University of Eastern Finland and the Faculty of Health Sciences
The University of Eastern Finland is one of the most multidisciplinary universities in Finland, offering education in nearly 100 major subjects. We have a staff of 2,750 members, and our academic community comprises around 16,000 degree students and more than 27,000 adult education students. Our campuses are located in Joensuu and in Kuopio. Our research is ranked among the best in the world in several fields. We generate research-based knowledge and make it openly accessible for the benefit of all. UEF stands for action with impact that is relevant today and tomorrow. To learn more about our university please visit our website at www.uef.fi/en.
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 3 090 degree students and about 580 PhD students in the Faculty. The faculty has 800 staff members. http://www.uef.fi/en/ttdk/etusivu