Doctoral Researcher in Bioinformatics/Systems Biology

Official university vacancy imported from University of Helsinki. Details are presented for discovery and may change. Confirm the latest requirements and apply on the official source.

The Faculty of Pharmacy invites applications for the position of a

DOCTORAL RESEARCHER in Bioinformatics/Systems Biology

The position is a fixed term position until 31 August 2030. The start date is in January 2027. The position is filled with a 6-month probationary period.

We are seeking a talented and motivated Doctoral Researcher in Bioinformatics/Systems Biology to join the Systems Pharmacology research group at the Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, University of Helsinki. The position is funded by the Research Council of Finland project “EpiTheraRx: Harnessing Epitranscriptomic Regulation of Alternative Splicing for RNA Therapeutics Innovation”.

The EpiTheraRx project aims to develop computational approaches for identifying disease-relevant alternative splicing events and their epitranscriptomic regulation, with the long-term goal of enabling more precise design of RNA therapeutics for complex diseases. The doctoral researcher will analyse large-scale single-cell and bulk multi-omics datasets, integrate genomics, epitranscriptomics and transcriptomics data, and contribute to the development of novel systems biology and bioinformatics methods for RNA therapeutic target discovery. The project is led by Adj. Prof. Antonio Federico at the Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences.

The duties of the doctoral researcher include conducting research in the project framework with the aim of achieving doctoral degree in accordance with the degree requirements of the University of Helsinki, supervision of undergraduate students, and other discipline-specific teaching. The teaching duties will cover a maximum of 5 % of the total working hours.

• An opportunity to join a newly established and growing research group, with the possibility to contribute to shaping its scientific direction
• Close and continuous supervision and mentoring
• A stimulating, international and interdisciplinary research environment at the University of Helsinki
• Opportunities to work at the interface of bioinformatics, RNA biology, genomics and systems medicine
• Access to national and international collaborators and research networks
• Support to publish high-quality research in peer-reviewed international journals and to present your work at scientific conferences

• MSc degree in a relevant field (e.g. bioinformatics, biology, biotechnology, biostatistics, computer science or other related fields)
• Good programming skills in R and/or Python; experience with Unix/Linux environments and bash is considered an advantage
• Prior experience in the preprocessing, analysis and interpretation of omics data and a strong interest in developing further expertise in transcriptomics, genomics and single-cell data analysis
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative research team

We also highly appreciate

• Previous experience with single-cell transcriptomics, genomics, epigenomics or epitranscriptomics
• Previous experience in building, analysing and interpreting molecular networks
• Ability to curate and integrate large scale biomedical data
• Experience with workflow management and HPC environments
• Interest in RNA biology, alternative splicing and computational method development
• Strong motivation for scientific research, curiosity, and a proactive attitude towards learning new methods
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• Good time and task management
• Independent work capability

Right to pursue a doctoral degree

Please note that the appointee must obtain the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki and approval by a suitable doctoral programme (Doctoral Programme in Drug Research - DPDR) by the end of the 6-month probationary period of the employment, unless having already existing study right. The research plan and other application material will be prepared together with the PhD supervisor(s) in the beginning of the employment period.

The salary is based on the job requirement scheme for teaching and research staff according to the salary system of the Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a personal salary component. Doctoral researchers start from requirement level 2. In total, the starting gross salary of a doctoral researcher is typically around 2 500 – 2 700 EUR per month and raises gradually as the PhD work progresses.

The requirement level of a doctoral researcher is determined based on progress in the studies. Doctoral researchers advance to level 3, when they are in the midpoint of completing the work required for the doctoral degree, and eventually to level 4, when the supervisor estimates that the researcher can publicly defend the dissertation in approximately one year.

Read about the employee benefits at the University of Helsinki and why University of Helsinki is an excellent choice: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers.

Please submit your application and the required attachments in English through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System as a single PDF file (all under the section CV in the recruitment system).

The application should include

• a motivation letter (max 2 pages) describing why you are interested in this position, how you would contribute to this project and how you are qualified for this position.
• a detailed CV (max 2 pages) with full contact details, education/previous degrees obtained, prior work/research experience, link to the online version of the MSc/licentiate thesis (if available).
• contact information of one or more previous supervisors, employers, or other references/recommendations.
• list of potential publications (if any).

The closing date for applications is September 16th 2026 (23:59 EEST). Applications are reviewed already during the application period and Zoom interviews of shortlisted candidates will take place as soon as possible after the deadline.

• Position and research project: Adj. Prof. Antonio Federico, antonio.federico(at)helsinki.fi
• Recruitment system and applying: HR Specialist Heidi Kauppinen, recruitment(at)helsinki.fi, +358504155341
• Faculty of Pharmacy: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-pharmacy
• Viikki Campus: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/campuses/viikki-campus
• Working at the University of Helsinki: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers
• Support for international staff: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/welcome and also https://ihhelsinki.fi (International House Helsinki)

Related to admissions to doctoral education

• Application process to doctoral education (including demonstration of language proficiency): https://www.helsinki.fi/en/admissions-and-education/apply-doctoral-programmes/how-apply-doctoral-education
• About doctoral programmes: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/admissions-and-education/apply-doctoral-programmes/doctoral-programmes
• Doctoral Programme in Drug Research (DPDR): https://www.helsinki.fi/en/admissions-and-education/apply-doctoral-programmes/doctoral-programmes/doctoral-programme-drug-research

Faculty of Pharmacy in a Nutshell

The Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Helsinki conducts research in pharmacy and provides the highest education in the field. The Faculty offers the undergraduate degrees of Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy), Master of Science (Pharmacy) and Master of Science, as well as doctoral degrees (Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy) and Doctor of Philosophy). Additionally, the Faculty offers specialization studies in community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy as well as in industrial pharmacy, and actively participates in further education in the field. The Faculty also educates Swedish-speaking Master of Science (Pharmacy) graduates. The Faculty of Pharmacy has three divisions: Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology. Faculty staff from different study programs cooperate in the degree programs, which are responsible for the education leading to the degree.

A diverse and equitable study and work culture is important to us. That is why we do our best to promote an inclusive university community. We encourage all qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for our positions. Click this link to read about accessibility and inclusivity at our University. JOIN US TO BUILD A BETTER WORLD – TOGETHER!#HelsinkiUniCareers

Do you have a helsinki.fi username and a valid employment contract, a grant researcher's contract, a visiting researcher's or visiting professor's contract at the University of Helsinki? Log in here to apply to our open positions.

Open position

(23.59 Europe/Helsinki time)

Working for the world

Science has the power to change the world. Join one of the best research universities in the world – an international community united through bold thinking, science, research, and learning, with over 30,000 students and 8,000 employees.

We are defined by our multidisciplinary approach. This, combined with a dedication for cross-border collaboration, gives us our potential to find real solutions and build hope for a better, more sustainable future.

We are united by our values – truth, bildung, freedom, and inclusivity – as well as our passion for work that truly matters.

Join us: work for the future – work for the world.

Any questions?

See our recruitment system FAQ

• Opens in a new tab.

© University of Helsinki 2022

Cookie Consent Manager

When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

Required Cookies

These cookies are required to use this website and can't be turned off.

• "route" is used for session stickiness
• "careerSiteCompanyId" is used to send the request to the correct data centre
• "JSESSIONID" is placed on the visitor's device during the session so the server can identify the visitor
• "Load balancer cookie" (actual cookie name may vary) prevents a visitor from bouncing from one instance to another

Advertising Cookies

These cookies serve ads that are relevant to your interests. You may freely choose to accept or decline these cookies at any time. Note that certain functionality that these third parties make available may be impacted if you do not accept these cookies.