Thirteen (13) Doctoral Researcher Positions in the ImmuDocs – National Doctoral Education Pilot Based on the Immune System

The ImmuDocs Doctoral Education Pilot, the University of Turku, is inviting applications for 13 fixed-term Doctoral Researcher positions at the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Technology from 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2027.

The positions are related to the ImmuDocs Doctoral Training Education Pilot project, funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture, starting 1 August 2024. ImmuDocs aims to educate a new generation of experts in immunology, immunology-based drug development, and/or diagnostics. The project is coordinated by the University of Turku, with the University of Helsinki, Åbo Akademi University, Tampere University, University of Eastern Finland, and University of Oulu as partner universities. In total, 81 Doctoral Researchers will be employed within the ImmuDocs doctoral training pilot project. Doctoral Researcher Position research themes are linked to the InFLAMES Flagship funded by the Research Council of Finland.

The ImmuDoc pilot aims to ensure that, upon completion of the studies, Doctoral Researchers:

• Have acquired extensive knowledge of modern and applied immunology, developed skills to critically interpret research data, and master key immunological methods.
• Thoroughly understand the impact of immunology on the economy and society.
• Have a clear understanding of the entire lifecycle of immunology-based diagnostics and drug discovery, including all essential steps from initial invention to clinical application.
• Communicate their research to the scientific community and the public.
• Know which career paths are available for immunologists after obtaining a doctoral degree.

Job description

To apply for these positions, the applicant must indicate on the application form the dissertation project for which they are applying. Applicants may apply for a maximum of three doctoral projects in order of priority. The doctoral projects open in this call for applications are as follows:

1. Exploring a novel immunoproteasome activation factor to enhance cross-presentation and responses to anti-PD1 blockade in cold tumors, Principal Supervisor: Carlos Rogerio Figueiredo

2. Macrophages and neutrophils in cancer progression, Principal Supervisor: Jyrki Heino

3. Dual-targeting of myeloid malignancies and their tumor microenvironment with bexmarilimab, Principal Supervisor: Maija Hollmén

4. Novel approaches to immune monitoring and biomarker discovery in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Principal Supervisor: Arno Hänninen

5. Immune landscape in breast cancer – does it matter? Principal Supervisor: Sirpa Jalkanen

6. Innate immune responses in influenza virus infections: the effect of virus adaptation, Principal Supervisor: Laura Kakkola

7. New regulators and molecular mechanisms to control human T cell response, Principal Supervisor: Riitta Lahesmaa

8. Miniaturized antibodies for next-generation immunotherapeutics, Principal Supervisor: Urpo Lamminmäki

9. Extracellular vesicles as novel regulators of the immune response and B lymphocyte activation, Principal Supervisor: Pieta Mattila

10. Role of PPARg1 and PPARg2 in tissue-resident macrophage maintenance, Principal Supervisor: Alexander Mildner

11. Gut microbiome, inflammation, and autoimmune disease, Principal Supervisor: Teemu Niiranen

12. Three-dimensional streptavidin base layer as generic approach to improved antibody binding capacity and reactivity on solid-phase immunoassays, Principal Supervisor: Tero Soukka

13. Molecular pathways of the innate immune system linked to Type 1 Diabetes, Principal Supervisor: Jorma Toppari

Detailed descriptions of the doctoral projects, supervisors, and their research groups can be found on the ImmuDocs National Doctoral Education Pilot website: Call for Applications - ImmuDocs (projects listed under Pathway 1).

The positions start on 1 August 2024 or by mutual agreement. The funding is for 3 years, which is the intended duration of the PhD programme.

The Doctoral Researcher’s tasks include conducting their own doctoral research and completing doctoral courses. Doctoral Researchers are committed to conduct research and doctoral postgraduate studies according to the rules of the ImmuDocs Doctoral Education Pilot and the specific Doctoral Programme.

If the applicant does not have the right to study for a doctoral degree at the University of Turku, they must apply for a right to study for a doctoral degree during the application period in May 2024.

The position cannot be filled by an individual who has already completed a doctoral degree or has been granted the right to study for a doctoral degree before 1 November 2023.

The Doctoral Researcher position requires residence in Finland.

The applicant must have completed a higher education degree or degree must be completed latest by June 11 (if applying for the study right for a doctoral degree in the Faculty of Medicine) or by July 31 (if applying for the study right for a doctoral degree in the Faculty of Science or Technology).  The applicant's degree should be relevant to the dissertation project.

In addition, if the applicant does not already have the right to study for a doctoral degree at the University of Turku, the applicant must apply for the right to study for a doctoral degree at the University of Turku during the application periods in May 2024 via the Studyinfo.fi service through the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Technology doctoral programmes. The right to study is a prerequisite for starting the employment position. The eligibility requirements for the right to study for a doctoral degree are specified in the University of Turku’s regulations. How to Apply for Doctoral Training | University of Turku

Our workplace values equality and diversity; therefore, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Information for the applicant

The application form cannot be saved as a draft. However, after submitting you can return to edit your application via the link you receive by email. The application can be edited until the application deadline.

You have 6 hours to complete your application before the timeout.

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