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. https://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.

We are looking for a team member to join our collaborative, multi-disciplinary research team focused on finding new treatment options for lung cancer patients. 

HaikaLab Immuno-oncology research group at Tampere University is seeking a motivated and skilled postdoctoral research fellow (3-year position) to develop novel therapeutic strategies targeting lung cancer immunology. Our research focuses on understanding the tumor microenvironment and immune responses in lung cancer using state-of-the-art technologies, including single-cell analytics, spatial profiling, and advanced modeling.

Job description

The candidate will join a collaborative, multi-disciplinary research team focused on finding new immuno-oncology treatment options for lung cancer patients. The Principal Investigator of the laboratory is Assistant Professor Heidi Haikala, who did her postdoctoral training in the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & Harvard Medical School and returned to Finland 3 years ago to start her own laboratory. The candidate will join a translational research group (www.haikalab.com) that is currently operating in both Tampere University and University of Helsinki. The applied position is located in Tampere University.

The main tasks are:

• Design and conduct experimental studies in lung cancer immunology
• Utilize single-cell and spatial profiling as well as data analytics methods
• Develop and test novel immunotherapeutic strategies ex vivo
• Contribute to scientific publications and grant applications
• Collaborate with national & international research teams

Requirements

• Applicable doctoral degree in a field such as immunology, cancer biology, biometrical sciences or a related field. The degree must be completed before the end of the application period. 
• Experience with immune cell analysis / in vitro models.
• Interest in developing cancer immunotherapies.
• Ability to work independently and within an interdisciplinary research team.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills.

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

We offer a dynamic research environment with opportunities to contribute to high quality cancer research and the development of new treatment strategies for cancer patients.

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 for 3 years. 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 Postdoctoral Research Fellow is placed on the job demands levels 5-6. A typical starting salary of Postdoctoral Research Fellow is around 3600-4000 EUR/month.

We are inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, active, and truly multidisciplinary research community. We value interdisciplinarity, as it allows you to expand your research network and exposes you to new perspectives and ideas to solve complex research problems and pursue novel research findings. We are strongly committed to the highest level of scientific research and the provision of high-quality education.

As a member of staff at Tampere University, you will enjoy a range of competitive benefits, such as occupational health care services, flexible work schedule, versatile research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities and a safe and inviting campus area as well as a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities in your free time. Please read more about working at Tampere University. You can also find more information about us and working and living Tampere by watching our video: Tampere Higher Education Community - our academic playground. 

Finland is among the most stable, free and safe countries in the world, based on prominent ratings by various agencies. Tampere is the largest inland city of Finland, and the city is counted among the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries. Tampere region is the most rapidly growing urban area in Finland and home to a vibrant knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community. The city is an industrial powerhouse that enjoys a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland’s information society. Tampere is also surrounded by vivid nature with forests and lakes, providing countless opportunities for easy-to-access outdoor adventures and refreshment throughout the year. 

Read more about Finland and Tampere: 

• Visit Finland
• This is Finland
• Visit Tampere
• Welcome to Tampere
• International House Tampere

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system (link below). The closing date for applications is February 27th, 2025 (23:59 EET / UTC +2). Please write your application and all accompanying documents in English and attach them in PDF format.

Please attach only the following documents to your application: 

• CV (according to TENK guidelines). Named “Surname_CV.pdf” (max. 2 pages)
• A letter of motivation describing why you are interested and how your profile matches the candidate requirements and the research topics of our team. (max. 2 pages). Named “Surname_Motivation_Letter.pdf”
• PDF copies of your Doctoral 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.
• Either two recommendation letters (preferably) OR the contact details of two referees (if the first option is not possible, and with explained reasoning). Named “Surname_Recommendations.pdf”

For more information, please contact:

Assistant Professor Heidi Haikala, heidi.haikala@tuni.fi

***

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

Tampereen yliopistossa on haettavana Tutkijatohtorin ( Keuhkosyövän immuno-onkologia) tehtävä.

HAKUOHJEET

Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta.

Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta). Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 27.2.2025, klo 23:59.