Doctoral Researcher (PhD student), Evolutionary Cell Biology and Bioinformatics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for a Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) position in Evolutionary Cell Biology and Bioinformatics at the Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences of the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology on the Joensuu campus. The position will be filled for a fixed term from 1 October 2025 onwards (or as agreed).

Please find more information below and submit your application by 8 September 2025.

Role and salary

We are seeking a highly motivated Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) to join our research project in the Mitochondrial Biology research group (website) at the Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences of the University of Eastern Finland. This project, funded by the Research Council of Finland, investigates the evolutionary mechanisms of life history strategies by seeking to elucidate mechanisms underlying cell cycle regulation, mitonuclear coadaptation, and speciation, with implications for understanding cancer susceptibility and cell cycle-related disorders. We focus on closely related mammalian species (the brown and mountain hare) that differ in metabolic traits, cell proliferation, and ecological adaptations. The approach provides a unique opportunity to study the mechanisms of cellular-level differentiation from an evolutionary perspective.

The Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) position is hosted by the Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences of the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology on the Joensuu campus. The project involves close collaboration with and exchange visits to the Mitochondrial Bioenergetics and Metabolism group at Tampere University (website).

As a Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student), you will focus on:

• analysing high-throughput sequencing data (e.g., RNA-seq, SUM-seq, Hi-C)
• investigating the transcriptional and epigenetic dynamics of the cell cycle
• investigating the evolutionary divergence of cellular functions

The main duty of the Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) is to conduct research for their dissertation and to complete postgraduate studies.

The position will be filled for a fixed term from 1 October 2025 onwards (or starting date as agreed) to 31 August 2029. The position will be filled for a fixed term due to it pertaining to the Doctoral Researcher’s (PhD student's) own doctoral dissertation work and studies. 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. For a Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student), the job-related salary element is based on levels 2–4 of the job requirement level chart for teaching and research staff depending on the stage of the applicant's doctoral research and postgraduate studies. The personal salary element is 6–50% of the job-related salary element. At the beginning of the employment the total salary will be approximately EUR 2,650 – 2,785 /month.

Our requirements and expectations

We expect you to

• be eligible for postgraduate studies; i.e., to hold a Master’s degree in bioinformatics, molecular biology, biotechnology, systems biology or a related field, awarded by a university or by a university of applied sciences, or to have completed an applicable study programme abroad which in the awarding country gives eligibility for corresponding postgraduate education
• meet the student admission criteria for the LUMETO doctoral programme (Doctoral Programme in Science, Forestry and Technology, website)
• a good command of written and spoken English
• proficiency in R, Python, or similar data analysis tools
• strong interest in comparative and evolutionary biology

Applicants who do not yet have the right to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Eastern Finland are not required to apply for study rights at the application stage. If the applicant is selected for the position and applies for postgraduate study rights, the selection will be conditional until the right to pursue postgraduate studies in the faculty’s doctoral programme has been granted. The application for postgraduate study rights is submitted through the Studyinfo (Opintopolku) service.

The following will be considered an advantage

• basics of cell culture and molecular biology techniques or willingness to learn

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 a meaningful 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 8 September 2025 by 23:59 (midnight) Finnish time (UTC+3).

Please note that you must include the following appendices in your application:

• a CV (Template for a CV, TENK website)
• a list of publications (Instructions, Research Council of Finland website)
• a transcript of records and 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 (1-2 pages) in which the applicant describes their interest in the position and research project, as well as their career aspirations
• other documents to demonstrate the applicant’s merits for the position

If your degree certificate is not in English, Finnish, or Swedish, you must provide official English translations of your degree certificate documents. All translations must be issued 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 will not be accepted.

Questions?

For further information on the position, please contact Jaakko Pohjoismäki, email: jaakko.pohjoismaki@uef.fi, tel. +358 29 445 3052.

For further information on the application procedure, please contact HR Specialist Iiris Korhonen, email: iiris.korhonen@uef.fi, tel. +358 29 445 8161 and HR Specialist Noora Hämäläinen, email: noora.hamalainen@uef.fi, tel. +358 29 445 8302.