Professor Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér is looking for a postdoctoral level researcher and a doctoral candidate to join her research group in the MediCity Research Laboratory at the University of Turku, who will work in close collaboration with her research group at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm. Grant-based positions are fixed-term of 6-12 months, with a possibility for extension of the position thereafter.

The research project lead by Professor Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér focuses on immunometabolism and deals with mechanistic studies aiming to understand how changes in cellular metabolism alter immune cell functions with a long-term goal to identify new prevention and treatment strategies for chronic inflammatory diseases. Chronic inflammatory diseases are the most significant causes of death worldwide, and considered by WHO to be the greatest threat to human health. Three of five people die due to chronic inflammatory diseases like stroke, chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, obesity, and diabetes. In addition, arthritis, joint diseases, SLE, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), multiple sclerosis (MS), obesity, type 2 diabetes as well as allergies are major causes of human suffering leading to decrease in the quality of life and inability to work. These diseases are driven by an overactivated immune system, which leads to chronic inflammation and tissue destruction.

The post doc and the doctoral candidate will conduct scientific research related to the Flagship’s research project of Professor Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér focusing on Immunometabolism, which is a rapidly developing research field that is based on the new understanding that TCA cycle metabolites act as signaling molecules to control cellular differentiation and immune functions. Understanding these fundamental mechanisms that control our immune system could lead to new treatment targets for chronic inflammatory diseases. Specifically, the project aims to define which cellular activation signals that triggers metabolic rewiring to the Warburg effect, and how this control cellular fate via epigenetic regulation of gene expression. These studies will involve cell and molecular biology as well as virology approaches and include methods assessing metabolic changes in T cells, dendritic cells and macrophages.

Research group is part of the University of Turku Research Flagship InFLAMES: Innovation Ecosystem based on the Immune System, funded by the Academy of Finland. The Flagship organizes doctoral training for the doctoral candidates of InFLAMES-affiliated research groups focusing on the fields of immunology, immunology-based drug development and/or diagnostics. For more information, please visit the University of Turku webpage of the InFLAMES doctoral module.

Applicant

Successful applicants should have a PhD/MSc or equivalent degree in a relevant field. Excellent academic performance and knowledge of written and spoken English are required. Prior experience on research methods in the field in question is desired.

The doctoral candidate is expected to formulate a research and study plans, and demonstrate the needed skills and motivation for doctoral studies and for completion of the PhD degree in order to enrol in a PhD program in the next possible call.

The applicant should familiarize with pension insurance and taxation regulations for recipients of scientific grants and scholarships.

Grant

The research of selected applicant will be funded by monthly personal grants. Amount of the grant is 2400-2500 €/month for postdoctoral level researcher and 2100-2200 €/month for PhD level. Grant period starts on June 2022 at the earliest.

How to apply

Please apply on 2 June 2022 4 pm at the latest with the electronic form. Link to the application form: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/FD14B1BF10765342

CV, list of publications (if applicable) and a motivation letter should be attached to the form.

For further information, please contact Professor Cecilia Söderberg Nauclér, cecilia.naucler@utu.fi