Doctoral Candidate (Innate Immunology)

3 March 2022

We are looking for a creative PhD student (Doctoral Candidate) to the laboratory of Alexander Mildner for a fixed-term position.  The successful applicant is expected to begin their work in mid 2022, but starting date is negotiable. The duration of the position will be until the end of 2024 with the possibility for an extension.

We investigate the development and function of monocytes and macrophages during homeostasis and pathologies, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), Alzheimer’s disease and atherosclerosis. Our aim is the identification of transcription factors that are involved in the epigenetic regulation of myeloid differentiation or contribute to their pathogenic functions. We will use FACS sorting, transgenic mouse models, single cell RNA-sequencing and other epigenetic profiling techniques (e.g. ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq) to investigate the contribution of specific cell populations to disease development. We will also anticipate close collaborations with clinicians in order to intensify ex vivo research on human cells. For further information about the research scope and research papers, please visit: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alexander-Mildner-2

We invite qualified, motivated, and especially critical thinking scientists of any nationality to apply for this position.

Research Environment

We offer you an individual research project in an international team, a vast range of elective courses, state-of-the-art technologies such as scRNA-seq or spatial transcriptomics, and the opportunity to work in a leading research group. The position will be seated in the laboratory of Dr. Alexander Mildner at MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku.

The project is funded by InFLAMES Research Flagship. 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.

Qualifications

A person selected for the post is required to have a higher university degree in immunology, biomedicine or other relevant discipline. The candidate should be highly motivated to aim at PhD, have good communication skills, and the ability to work productively in a team of international researchers. Fluency in English is a requirement.

Merit is given to applicants who have previous lab experience, experience with immunological techniques (e.g. FACS, imaging), and background in innate immune cells. Practical experience with multicolor flow cytometry and animal experiments is highly desirable.

In addition, bioinformatical skills (e.g. NGS data analysis, R/Phyton, linux) and interest in science-related activities outside of the lab (science slam, open discussions etc.) are valued.

The qualification requirements of the position are available on the University of Turku Rules of Procedure. In case the selected candidate does not yet have the right to study for a doctoral degree at the University of Turku, the title of Project Researcher will be used at first, and the study right for a doctoral degree should be applied in the next possible call: University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS) and Doctoral Programmes

Salary

The salary offered is determined in accordance with the university salary system for teaching and research personnel. For a doctoral candidate/project researcher, the salary is at levels 2-4 on the job demands chart, where the task-specific salary component is 2078,27 – 2591,28 € per month. In addition, a personal work performance component will be paid. The personal performance component is a 6% – 50% of the task-specific base salary.

A six (6) month trial period applies to the positions.

What to do nextApplications must be submitted on 29 April 2022 at the latest (23.59.59 Finnish time) via the University of Turku electronic application form at www.utu.fi/careers. The link to the electronic application form is located at the beginning of the announcement (Apply for the job).

In your application, please include

  • a personal statement or motivation letter containing a description of your scientific background and research interests (max. 2 pages)
  • a CV (max. 2 pages)
  • degree certificates
  • a list of publications (if applicable)

For further information about the position, please contact Dr. Alexander Mildner, alexander.mildner@utu.fi

Regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR Specialist Kristiina Nuutila, kristiina.nuutila@utu.fi, Tel. +358 503135224

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