Ajankohtaista

Laboratory engineer, Research Infrastructure – Turku Protein Core, fixed-term position

26.4.2026 | Avoimet työpaikat

https://bioscience.fi/vacancies/laboratory-engineer-research-infrastructure-turku-protein-core-fixed-term-position/

Apply latest by 13.5.2026

BioCity Turku is a joint biocentre which links the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University to support and coordinate life science and molecular medicine related research in the Turku region. The BioCity Turku community currently comprises more than 140 research groups and over one thousand researchers.

Turku Bioscience Centre is a joint institute of University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University responsible for significant core facility resources that are accessible to all BioCity Turku users, companies and academic users from other universities (https://bioscience.fi). In addition, both universities and BioCity Turku umbrella have significant core facility resources related to protein production, protein chemistry, protein interaction studies and biophysical protein analysis. To maximally utilize these resources, a one-stop-shop open access platform Turku Protein Core (TuProtCore) was established (https://turkuproteincore.utu.fi). TuProtCore is governed by a steering committee composed of expert representatives from all major departments and faculties from both universities contributing to the activities.

We are now hiring a Research Infrastructure focused laboratory engineer. The work includes laboratory work related to maintenance and customer-related protocol development, as well as basic protein production, and protein interaction analysis services. The duties also include education of the potential users about the available TuProtCore services and other customer service tasks as well as some administrative tasks.  We are therefore looking for a person with solid background on protein chemistry and/or protein analysis technologies, but also a customer-oriented attitude to serve the customer base and to develop the services. The position is based at the Turku Bioscience Centre (https://bioscience.fi)

Essential qualifications

  • Master degree in biosciences or in other relevant discipline
  • Solid hands-on experience in protein chemistry and/or protein analytics technologies, especially in recombinant protein production and analysis
  • Strong communication skills in English as well as proven interpersonal and networking skills
  • A positive and proactive working attitude

Desirable qualifications

  • Solid hands-on experience in protein chemistry and/or protein analytics technologies, especially in recombinant protein production and analysis
  • Strong communication skills in English as well as proven interpersonal and networking skills
  • A positive and proactive working attitude
  • Finnish language skills can be seen as an advantage

Applicants who are in the very final stages of their Master’s studies may also be considered on a case-by-case basis. We value collegiality and promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We encourage all qualified applicants with different backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Apply between 13 March 2026 and 13 May 2026 16:00 (Europe/Helsinki)

Benefits

We offer you responsible and interesting tasks and the opportunity to develop your professional skills in a versatile operating environment. You get a professional and inspiring team to support your work. We take care of your well-being at work and the functionality of your everyday life, e.g. with the help of flexible working hours and our well-being services.

  • Possibilities to develop your expertise – We encourage our personnel to develop their professional expertise by offering versatile training and competence development possibilities which employees can take advantage of during their working hours. Also, the course offering of Open University is free of charge for our personnel.
  • Your well-being is important to us! – In addition to comprehensive occupational health care, our own well-being services monitor, support and develop the well-being of our personnel. You are entitled to use the CampusSport’s services at a personnel price.
  • We support your work-life balance – Flexible working hours and  remote work options help you balance work and leisure time. 
  • An inspiring and supportive work community – We encourage each other and value working together!

Please read more about University of Turku as an employer from our Come work with us! pages.

The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research quality label. The label is a token of the University’s commitment to continuous development of the position and working conditions of researchers according to the guidelines set forth in the European Charter for Researchers. 

Salary and trial period

The salary is determined in accordance with the university salary system for other personnel. The position has regular working hours and uses a time card (clock-in system) on a daily basis.The job requirement level of the position is MV08 – MV09.  In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance is paid. Gross salary, based on previous experience and skills, is approximately 3100 – 3600 euros/month at the beginning of the assignment.

The start of the employment is negotiable, preferably by May-June 2026. The position is fixed-term for 1,5 years, with a possibility for extension depending on the funding decisions. The position is subject to a six-month trial period.

How to apply

Please submit your application using the online application system at. In addition, applications must have the following enclosures (in English):

  • Motivation letter max 1 page focusing on your competences related particularly to customer service and protein chemistry
  • CV
  • Copy of degree certificates in Finnish or in English. Certificates issued in other languages must be officially translated into English or Finnish at your own expense.
  • Contact details for at least three referees (name, working place, e-mail address)

For further information please contact Jukka Westermarck jukka.westermarck(at)utu.fi. In case you need help with the application process, please turn to our HR Specialist Paula Luoma paula.luoma@utu.fi.

Post­doc­to­ral Re­searc­her in Pro­tein Bioc­he­mi­stry and Struc­tu­ral Bio­lo­gy

9.8.2021 | Avoimet työpaikat

https://www2.helsinki.fi/fi/avoimet-tyopaikat/postdoctoral-researcher-in-protein-biochemistry-and-structural-biology

The laboratory of Dr. Tommi Kajander at the Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Finland, is inviting applications for post-doctoral researcher in the area of protein biochemistry and structural biology in a joint project with Prof. Mart Saarma’s laboratory. We are seeking for dedicated and enthusiastic scientist to work on the structure and function of novel endoplasmic reticulum effector protein-receptor interactions in ER stress response regulation. Main targets are CDNF and MANF proteins and their interaction complexes in the ER.

The Institute of Biotechnology is a research institute at University of Helsinki, located in the Viikki science park. 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 institute has excellent infrastructure for structural biology (X-ray, CryoEM, NMR) including the crystallography core facility run by the PI.

The post-doctoral applicants should hold PhD in biochemistry or a related field. Strong experience in protein biochemistry including cloning and mutagenesis and protein expression and purification, from various hosts and good communication skills in English are required. Knowledge and experience in structural biology and molecular biophysics techiques and cell culture is beneficial. This is an opportunity to work on high impact targets and obtain in depth technical skills in the research area. The position will provide excellent opportunities for collaborations, as this is a joint project in close collaboration with Prof. Mart Saarma’s group, with also potential international and national collaborations and visits to e.g. synchrotron sources in Europe (ESRF, DLS, MAXIV). An attitude to carry out ambitious research projects, good problem solving skills, goal-oriented mind-set and willingness to learn and apply new methodologies is highly appreciated. The working language of the laboratory is English; knowledge of Finnish is not a requirement.

The postdoctoral position is initially limited to 1 year, with a possibility of extension to three years. The salaries will be based on the University salary scheme (level 5) for teaching and research personnel composed of both task specific and personal performance component The position is available immediately or as agreed.

Application should include the following documents as a single pdf file (max 5 pages): CV (max 2 pages), list of publications, motivation letter (max 1 page) including a description of your research interests, and the names and contact details of at least two referees. Please submit your application, together with the required pdf attachment, through the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system by clicking on the ‘Apply for job’ button. Internal applicants (i.e., current employees of the University of Helsinki) should submit their applications through the SAP HR portal. For technical support regarding the recruitment system, please contact ‘rekrytointi@helsinki.fi’.

The deadline for the applications is 31st of August, 2021, or until suitable candidate have been found.

For informal inquiries, contact ‘tommi.kajander(at)helsinki.fi’
See also:
https://www2.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/structural-biology-of-protein…
https://www2.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/neurotrophic-factors-and-rege…

For technical support regarding the recruitment system, please contact rekrytointi@helsinki.fi.

Selected recent references related to project and the laboratory:
Kovaleva V, Yu LY, Ivanova L, Nam J, Eesmaa A, Kumpula EP, Huiskonen J, Lindholm P, Voutilainen M, Karelson M, Saarma M. MANF regulates unfolded protein response and neuronal survival through its ER-located receptor IRE1α bioRxiv 2020.09.22.307744

Eesmaa A, Yu LY, Göös H, Nõges K, Kovaleva V, Hellman M, Zimmermann R, Jung M, Permi P, Varjosalo M, Lindholm P, Saarma M. The cytoprotective protein MANF promotes neuronal survival independently from its role as a GRP78 cofactor. J Biol Chem. 2021 Jan 15;296:100295.

Lindahl M, Saarma M, Lindholm P. Unconventional neurotrophic factors CDNF and MANF: Structure, physiological functions and therapeutic potential. Neurobiol Dis. 2017 Jan;97(Pt B):90-102.