Doctoral Researcher/Project Researcher, Neurosciences

The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for a Doctoral Researcher/Project Researcher position at the A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences on the Kuopio Campus. The position will be filled for a fixed term until 31 August 2028  from 1 October 2024 onwards (or as agreed). Please find more information below and submit your application by 20 September 2024.

Role and Salary 

The A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland addresses global health challenges arising from the aging of the population and changes in lifestyle by focusing on the research of brain and cardiovascular diseases.

This project, funded by the Research Council of Finland, synergizes modern computational methods for analyzing large histological image volumes, new magnetic resonance imaging techniques, and statistical physics to understand noninvasive markers of brain microstructure.

In particular, three-dimensional high-resolution imaging techniques, such as electron microscopy, allow accessing brain tissue at nanoscales; hence, imaging even several cubic microns of brain tissue yields large image volumes. A key focus of this project is the development of innovative computational methods for the segmentation and geometric processing of brain tissue microstructures within such image volumes. The scientific responsibilities of the new doctoral researcher lie within this domain. As our new doctoral researcher, you will work in the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio campus. 

Your main responsibilities will include: 

• conducting research in accordance with the aims of the project, 
• reporting and creating high-quality scientific publications, 
• may involve participating in grant writing.

The position will be filled for a fixed term until 31 August 2028  from 1 October  2024 onwards (or as agreed). The position will be filled for a fixed term due to it pertaining to a Doctoral Researcher candidate’s own doctoral degree, and for the Project Researcher, it is due to a specific project task. The research project is funded by the Research Council of Finland. 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 for  Finnish universities. The salary comprises two components: a job-related salary element and a personal salary element. In this position, the job-related salary element is EUR 2,225,83/month, based on level 2 of the job requirement level chart for teaching and research staff. The personal salary element can be a minimum of 6 % and a maximum of 50 % of the above-mentioned sum. Depending on the personal salary element, the salary will be approximately EUR 2,450 –2,715 /month at the beginning of the employment relationship.
 
Our requirements and expectations 

• A Master´s degree in a relevant discipline such as electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics, or physics,   
• The successful candidate is expected to have demonstrated experience and skills in engineering mathematics and programming,
• The candidate can work independently, formulate and solve research problems, communicate proficiently, and have collaboration skills,
• A track record of scientific publications (if any),
• Excellent/good skills in oral and written English: English is used as the language of instruction and supervision in this position,
• Knowledge of 3D computer vision, tomography reconstruction, electron microscopy, and MRI is a plus.
• The person to be appointed as a Doctoral Researcher shall be qualified to pursue postgraduate studies, i.e., the selected candidate will have to apply and be eligible for the Faculty's Doctoral Programme 

Your benefits 

You will have access to the university’s staff benefits, including  

• the opportunity for flexible multi-location work
• extensive occupational health care  
• a broad selection of staff training
• staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants, as well as on a range of other services  
• affordable sports services and a tax-free bike benefit 

Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website.  

You will have an opportunity to work in an interesting, meaningful and 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 20 September 2024 by 24:00 (midnight) Finnish time (UTC+3). 
     
Please note that you must include the following appendices in your application 

• CV (Template for CV, www-page)  
• a list of publications (Instructions, www-page)
• a motivation letter   
• 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
• any other documents with which you wish to demonstrate your merits for the position

If your diploma is not in English, Finnish or Swedish, an official English translation must be provided. All translations must be issued either by the awarding educational institution or an authorised translator. Each page of the official translation must bear the translator’s stamp and/or signature. Official translations must be accurate translations of the original documents. Translations made by the applicants themselves are not accepted.

Questions? 

For further information on the position, please contact the Princile Investigator, Dr. Ali Abdollahzadeh, ali.abdollahzadeh@uef.fi. 
 
For further information on the application procedure, please contact HR Controller Sanna Partanen, +35829 445 8002, sanna.partanen@uef.fi