The University of Eastern Finland (UEF) invites applications from talented and ambitious researchers for a Postdoctoral Researcher position focused on Gene Regulation and Single Cell Genomics. Hosted by the School of Medicine within the Faculty of Health Sciences, this 3-year fixed-term appointment will be based at the Kuopio Campus under the research leadership of Professor Merja Heinäniemi. The project aims to unravel complex regulatory networks governing leukemic and immune cells using cutting-edge single-cell and multi-omics technologies.
Position Overview
| Position | Postdoctoral Researcher |
|---|---|
| Research Area | Gene Regulation, Bioinformatics & Single Cell Genomics |
| Host Institution | University of Eastern Finland (School of Medicine) |
| Location | Kuopio Campus, Finland |
| Duration | Fixed-term for 3 years (Starting January 1, 2027, or as agreed) |
| Salary Range | Approx. €3,703 – €4,073 per month |
| Application Deadline | 12 October 2026 (24:00 Finnish Time, UTC+3) |
Designation
Postdoctoral Researcher
Research Area
Gene Regulation, Single Cell Genomics, Bioinformatics, Leukemia Biology, and Immunology.
Location
Kuopio Campus, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
Eligibility and Qualifications
Candidates must demonstrate a proactive, self-driven research attitude with a passion for biomedical problem-solving and rigorous scientific standards.
Mandatory Requirements:
- A doctoral degree (PhD) in a discipline directly relevant to the project (e.g., Molecular Biology, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or Biomedicine).
- The doctoral degree must have been completed no more than five (5) years prior to the date of appointment (excluding certified parental leave, military service, etc.).
- Excellent written and oral English communication skills (English is the working and instruction language).
Core Expectations:
- Strong theoretical and practical background in molecular biology and genomics.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience in bioinformatics workflows and genomics data analysis.
- Proven track record with single-cell omics technologies and high-throughput data integration.
- A competitive record of peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Desirable Merits & Assets:
- Expertise in modeling and reconstructing gene regulatory networks.
- Familiarity with CRISPR-based functional screens or lineage barcoding techniques.
- Experience in novel genomics protocol and methodology development.
- Background in immunology, hematopoiesis, or leukemia research.
- Experience working in international interdisciplinary consortia.
- Prior experience in mentoring or co-supervising graduate or undergraduate students.
Job Description and Responsibilities
As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will join an international and interdisciplinary network of computational biologists, immunologists, leukemia biologists, and clinical collaborators. Your main objective will be to generate, analyze, and integrate multi-omics datasets (transcriptome, chromatin accessibility, and transcription factor binding) at both bulk and single-cell resolutions.
Key duties include:
- Designing and executing single-cell genomics studies to investigate leukemia progression and immune cell state dynamics.
- Benchmarking, standardizing, and advancing computational and wet-lab genomics protocols.
- Interpreting complex multi-omic data to infer molecular mechanisms and regulatory networks.
- Authoring and publishing findings in leading peer-reviewed international scientific journals.
- Assisting with research grant preparation and drafting proposals for national and international funding bodies.
- Co-supervising PhD and Master’s degree students, with opportunities for limited undergraduate teaching in your area of expertise.
Salary and Working Conditions
The salary is determined according to the collective agreement for Finnish universities. It comprises a task-specific element (Level 5 of the teaching and research staff salary grid, set at €3,366.36/month) and an individual performance component (ranging between 6% and 50%). At the start of the appointment, the total gross salary typically falls between €3,703 and €4,073 per month.
Benefits include flexible hybrid working arrangements, comprehensive occupational healthcare, institutional sports facilities, professional development workshops, and subsidized campus dining.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must submit their application using the university’s online recruitment system. Please compile and attach the following required documents in PDF format:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Formatted according to the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK) template.
- List of Publications: Prepared in compliance with the Research Council of Finland guidelines.
- Degree Certificates: Scanned copies of your doctoral diploma and relevant transcripts, including proof of English language proficiency (if not evident from prior degrees).
- Motivation Letter: Detailing your research interests, technical expertise, and suitability for this specific project.
Last Date for Apply
The closing date for applications is 12 October 2026 at 24:00 (midnight) Finnish time (UTC+3).
Apply Link
Click Here to Apply Online via the UEF Job Portal
Contact Details
For scientific inquiries regarding the project scope, please contact:
Prof. Merja Heinäniemi – Email: merja.heinaniemi@uef.fi | Phone: +358 40 3553842
For inquiries concerning the recruitment process or administrative matters, contact:
HR Services: hrbiomed@uef.fi
