Salary: 3200 – 3600 € per month
Application closing date: 4th February 2020
Start date: April 2020 (open to negotiation)

Applications are invited for two postdoctoral researchers to join the group of Prof Johanna Ivaska (www.ivaskalab.com) to work on ongoing and new exciting projects in cancer biology and nucleomechanical regulation of cell states. These projects are linked to a recently funded Academy of Finland Molecular Regulatory Networks of Life consortia with the Wickström lab (University of Helsinki).

We aim to recruit two outstanding individuals who are interested in understanding the mechanisms regulating breast and pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis and subsequent metastasis in the context of ongoing drug discovery projects and/or cell mechanotransduction and plasticity in cancer and stem cells. A particular emphasis will be placed on investigating the role of cell adhesion, cytoskeletal dynamics, oncogenic signalling and the cellular mechanoresponse.

Applicants will have successfully completed a PhD in a field relevant to the molecular and cellular biology of cancer and/or membrane trafficking and/or stem cell biology and have published at least one peer-reviewed article. Microscopy skills, experience in mammalian cell culture and molecular biology as well as knowledge of membrane trafficking and mechanobiology techniques would also be an advantage. We are looking for applicants with a strong collaborative nature, effective communication skills and the capacity to work independently and as part of a team.

Applications must be submitted no later than Feb 4th, 2020 via the University of Turku’s electronic application system.

Applicants should also enclose their CV, degree certificate(s), list of publications, a motivation letter including a short description of their relevant skills and knowledge, contact information for two referees and any other documents relevant to the position.

For further information about the post please contact Prof Johanna Ivaska (joivaska(at)utu.fi). For help with the application system, please contact our HR Specialist Paula Luoma (paula.luoma(at)utu.fi).

The salary is determined by the collective agreement system of the Finnish universities. The positions are fixed-term for 2 years with a possibility for extension for another 2 years and are subject to a six-month trial period.

About the research environment

The Ivaska Cell Adhesion and Cancer group is based at Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University. We are a large multinational research group investigating cancer cell biology, membrane traffic and cell-ECM contacts of stem cells. For more information visit www.ivaskalab.com. Our Centre offers access to a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge research equipment, excellent core facilities and an opportunity to be involved in internationally competitive science in a stimulating, highly networked environment.

Turku is the oldest city in Finland (est. 1229) with nearly 200 000 inhabitants, two universities and over 35 000 students, located on the south-west coast on Finland 150 km west of Helsinki. The University of Turku is an active academic community of 25 000 students and staff members – a truly international research university. Accordingly, the work language is English and there is no need or requirement to learn Finnish. Furthermore, Finland is considered to have a high quality of life, education, gender equality, transparency and safety where the majority of the population speaks English as a second language.