Doctoral Researcher/Project Researcher, Neurosciences

We are inviting applications for a Doctoral Researcher or Project Researcher position at the A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences on the Kuopio Campus of the University of Eastern Finland. The position will be filled for a fixed term of three years as from 1 October 2025 (or as agreed). Please submit your application by 1 September 2025.

Role and salary

We are seeking a highly motivated and curious Doctoral Researcher/Project Researcher to join our research investigating how environmental stress and genetic risk factors impact human brain cell function. The position is funded by the Research Council of Finland project 367928: Synaptic mechanisms at the intersection of Genetic, Environmental and Temporal Vulnerabilities for Schizophrenia. By using human stem cell–derived brain cells and CRISPR editing, we aim to understand the cellular and molecular changes that may underlie psychiatric conditions, especially those affecting glia-synapse communication. Our research develops human cellular models of brain disorders, including live imaging of synapses under stress-related and disease-relevant conditions. Our long-term goal is to uncover mechanisms for more effective therapies and prevention strategies in psychiatry. The primary task of the Doctoral Researcher is to carry out their doctoral research in accordance with the approved research plan. The goal is to complete the doctoral degree as a full-time student within a maximum of four years.

The position will be filled for a fixed term of three years from 1 October 2025 onwards (or as agreed). For a Doctoral Researcher, the position will be filled for a fixed term due to it pertaining to the candidate’s own doctoral degree; for a Project Researcher, the position will be filled for a fixed term due to it pertaining to a specific project task. The research project is funded by the Research Council of Finland (367928). 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 2,281.48/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 2,510 –2,784 /month at the beginning of the employment relationship.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Optimizing and performing in vitro human iPSC cell cultures and differentiation into brain cells relevant for schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.
• CRISPR editing iPSCs for genome editing and for live imaging synaptic structures and glial dynamics.
• Designing and executing experiments including, e.g., live imaging and transcriptomics.
• Analysing experimental data and integrating different results.

We offer

• A fully funded 3-year PhD position, including salary and research expenses.
• Mentoring and scientific guidance by the PI and the team.
• A collaborative, international, and interdisciplinary research environment.
• Opportunities for international collaboration, mobility and conference attendance.
• Opportunities for training and career development.
• A chance to contribute to a larger research effort redefining how psychiatric disorders are modelled at the cellular level.

You will have access to

• Modern and well-equipped stem cell and molecular neuroscience laboratories.
• CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to model genetic risk factors in human cells.
• Live-cell and high-resolution imaging equipment at the UEF Cell and Tissue Imaging Unit.
• UEF in vitro and ex vivo electrophysiology core facility.
• A supportive research environment and an international research community.

Our requirements

• A Master’s degree in neuroscience, stem cell biology, biomedicine, molecular biology, or a related field.
  • For a PhD position we expect you to be qualified to pursue postgraduate studies and to be a postgraduate student registered with the University of Eastern Finland or plan to complete your doctoral dissertation at the University of Eastern Finland. Otherwise the position will be filled as a Project Researher.
• Interest in human cell models, synaptic biology, psychiatric disease, and live imaging.
• Excellent communication skills in English.

Advantages

• Experience in stem cell culture, CRISPR, microscopy, transcriptomics, and/or neurobiology are considered as an advantage.
• Experience in electrophysiological techniques is an asset but not required.
• Experience in Python and R is preferred but not required. 
• A strong motivation and scientific drive.
• Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams.
• Organization and time management skills, lab notebook practices, and attention to detail.
• Curiosity to learn new things and apply creative approaches to scientific questions.

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 an electronic application form by 1 September 2025 (24:00 midnight Finnish time (UTC+3). 
     
Please include the following appendices in your application 

• Motivation letter (max 1 page)
• CV (Template for CV, www-page)
• List of publications, if any (Instructions, www-page)
• Copies of your academic degree certificates / diplomas
• Copies of certificates / diplomas for language proficiency, if not indicated in the academic degree certificates/diplomas
• Contact information for 1–2 referees
• Any other documents you wish, to demonstrate your merits for the position

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

Questions? 

For further information on the position, please contact Project PI Henna Jäntti, +358 50 3017691, henna.jantti@uef.fi

For further information on the application procedure, please contact HR Controller Sanna Partanen, +35829 445 8002, sanna.partanen@uef.fi