Doctoral Researcher (Molecular Cell Biology) / Väitöskirjatutkija (Molekylaarinen solubiologia)

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our university community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. www.tuni.fi/en.

The Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology (MET) is dedicated to pursuing world-class research and delivering high-quality education in the fields of biomedical engineering, biotechnology, medicine and health technology. We conduct internationally acclaimed basic and applied research. 

Protein Dynamics research group is seeking a Doctoral Researcher to study how controlled receptor clustering influences extracellular matrix remodeling and phagocytosis. The position will be full-time and filled for a fixed-term period until July 2028. The workplace is located at Kauppi Campus, Tampere University.

Protein Dynamics group led by Prof. Vesa Hytönen utilizes advanced experimental and computational methods including protein engineering, cellular models, tailored hydrogel substrates, and molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the relationship between protein conformation and function. The group has specific interest in cellular mechanosignaling.

Job description

The research project is aiming to understand the cellular mechanisms controlling receptor localization in mammalian cells. Cellular receptors are central for all main functions of cells and dysfunction in cellular receptor behavior and localization is associated with various diseases, such as immunodeficiency, cancer and epilepsy. Specifically, the project aims to understand pathophysiology of the retinal pigment epithelium phagocytosis. We target cellular receptors involved in phagocytosis and study how controlled oligomerization of the receptors contribute for the phagocytosis kinetics and thereby cellular fate.

Majority of the drugs target various cellular receptors and typical drug targets the active site of the receptor. However, receptor activation is complex process and involves receptor movement, clustering and changes in localization. Therefore, a strong need to develop novel types of molecular tools enabling control over receptor behavior. In the proposed project, we utilize modern protein engineering methods to build molecular tools to target specific receptors with nanobodies and to control their oligomeric state. 

Controlled oligomerization of the receptors is monitored in living cells with advanced super-resolution imaging. The developed molecular tools are used to control the phagocytosis of retinal pigment epithelium, where defects in phagocytosis are associated with severe diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.

The project involves close collaboration with Nymark group (Tampere, FI) specialized in eye biophysics, Rossier group (Bordeaux, FR) specialized in superresolution microscopy and Wehrle-Haller group (Geneva, CH) specialized in integrin biology. The project is supported by research project grant from the Research Council of Finland, which is highly competitive governmental funding instrument.

The selected candidate will be able to focus on their doctoral research full-time, get supervision, and implement new ideas as a part of a research team in the positive and multidisciplinary environment of the MET faculty. 

In addition to the doctoral dissertation, the duties of a doctoral researcher may include participation in education or other faculty tasks that support your studies.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in cell biology, molecular biology, biotechnology, biomedicine or closely related topics
• Previous experience in laboratory work is valued high. For example, expertise in microscopy, cell biology techniques, recombinant techniques and functional cell assays are considered merits.
• Fluency in English 
• Ability and motivation to pursue and complete a doctoral degree as demonstrated during prior studies or otherwise.

Successful candidates must be pursuing or should be accepted to study towards a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme in Medicine, Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering. Please visit the admissions page for more information on eligibility requirements. 

Tampere University is a unique, multidisciplinary, and boldly forward-looking community. Our values are openness, diversity, responsibility, courage, critical thinking, and learner-centeredness. We hope that you can embrace these values and promote them in your work.

We offer:

The planned starting date is as soon as possible, or as mutually agreed.  The position is full-time and it will be filled for a fixed-term period until July 2028. A trial period of 6 months applies to all new employees.

The salary will be based on both the job requirements and the employee's personal performance in accordance with the salary system of Finnish universities. According to the criteria applied to teaching and research staff, the position of a Doctoral Researcher is placed on level 2-4 of the job requirements scale. A typical starting salary for Doctoral Researchers is approximately 2600 EUR/month. 

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care services, flexible working hours, versatile research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities, excellent sports facilities on campus and several restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts. Please read more about Working at Tampere Universityand Working in Tampere, Finland.

How to apply:

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system (link below). The closing date for applications is 25th of October, 2024 (at 23.59 EEST, UTC+3) . Please write your application and all accompanying documentation in English and attach them in PDF format only. 

Please attach only the following documents to your application: 

• CV (according to TENK guidelines)
• A motivational letter (max 1 page) that briefly outlines motivation to apply, background and skills related to the position, tentative research questions/ideas, earliest starting date, and any other miscellaneous remarks that the candidate wishes to make.
• PDF copies of your Master’s and Bachelor’s degree certificates, including transcripts of all university records in original language. If original language is other than Finnish, Swedish or English, please provide an official translation in one of those languages.
• Contact information of one or two referee(s)

For more information, please contact:

Professor Vesa Hytönen, tel. + 358 40 1901517, vesa.hytonen@tuni.fi

For questions regarding the application process, please contact HR Specialist Lilli Sarasvirta, lilli.sarasvirta@tuni.fi

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Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat yhdessä Suomen toiseksi suurimman monitieteisen, innostavan ja vaikuttavan tutkimus- ja oppimisyhteisön. Korkeakouluyhteisömme osaamiskärjet ovat tekniikka, terveys ja yhteiskunta. Lue lisää: www.tuni.fi

Lääketieteen ja terveysteknologian tiedekunnan Biotieteet -yksikön  "Protein Dynamics" -tutkimusryhmässä on auki väitöskirjatutkijan tehtävä. Tehtävä on kokoaikainen ja se täytetään mahdollisimman pian 31.7.2028 saakka.  

Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta.

Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta). Tehtävän hakuaika päättyy 25.10.2024 klo 23:59.