We are now looking for highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Researchers to join us in Data4Healthcare postdoctoral programme co-funded by the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie-Action COFUND of the EU funding programme Horizon Europe.

About the job

Data4Healthcare – From Big data to new science and practical solutions – is a novel postdoctoral programme hosted at an international and multidisciplinary research environment of University of Oulu (UOULU), Finland, co-funded by the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie-Action COFUND of the EU funding programme Horizon Europe.

The Programme will train 25 postdoctoral researchers to better exploit and develop the possibilities of big data in the EU and globally. The aim of the Data4Healthcare programme is to offer cutting-edge research, research training and career development for talented researchers of any nationality in fields associated with big data. The Oulu ecosystem with strong background in eHealth and ICT, new world´s smartest hospital and research teams utilizing large molecular data provide unprecedented surroundings for the programme. The positions are located at the University of Oulu, Finland.

The Programme is carried out within 4 faculties and over 70 research groups of the University of Oulu and in collaboration with partners committed to jointly supervising and providing secondment opportunities for the postdoctoral researchers.

This Second Call of Data4Healthcare invites ten (10) candidates for three-year (36 months) postdoctoral researcher positions at the University of Oulu, funded by the programme. Over 70 research groups with their research topics in which the positions are available, and the applicants may choose from, can be found in the Guide for Applicants and in the Data4Healthcare website. Also, the Associated Partners are listed there.

Please, familiarize yourself with the research units/groups available for recruitment in the Data4Healthcare programme and read instructions carefully from the Guide for Applicants. For further information you may also contact research group leaders listed.

You may also freely plan and propose a research project with an additional potential participating research site in UOULU not listed. In that case a commitment letter from the additional research group has to be attached to the application.

What we offer?

• Cutting-edge research, research training and career development for postdoctoral researchers in fields associated with big data, data analytics, machine vision and artificial intelligence.
• Integration of Postdoctoral researchers into the intersectoral OuluHealth ecosystem. The Oulu ecosystem with strong background in eHealth and ICT, new world´s smartest hospital, research teams utilizing large molecular data and companies in collaboration provide unprecedented surroundings for the programme.
• An inspiring international and interdisciplinary research atmosphere in well-established research units, world-class guidance, cutting-edge infrastructures and secondment opportunities with academic and non-academic partners.
• Tools to strengthen your unique new knowledge and professional competences, therefore enhancing long-term employment opportunities in both the academic sector and businesses internationally. The trained Postdoctoral researchers will have a deep professional knowledge of using big data by applying new methods and with unique capabilities for identifying and solving health problems beyond the standard approaches.
• The Programme offers you excellent opportunities to work and carry out data-related research in private and public ecosystems.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• During the possible secondments, Partner Organisations will provide you similar level working conditions ensured by being UOULU employees.
• Wide variety of support services at UOULU are at your disposal, allowing you to focus on your research.
• You will receive a competitive salary paid monthly, which includes paid leave and an additional holiday bonus in the summer.
• You will receive university occupational health insurance. The Finnish government also provides benefits to residents and their families, for example access to the national healthcare system and high-quality, affordable childcare and school services.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits here.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and close-ones in settling into Oulu.
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, excellent education system, and competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Who are you?

We are looking for excellent candidates that meet the following criteria:

• Doctorate degree: The researcher must be in possession of a doctoral degree or have successfully defended their doctoral thesis before call deadline. The successful defense must be unconditional (no further requirements/corrections that need to be addressed) and take place before the call deadline. Supporting documentation may be requested.
• Nationality: Any
• MSCA Mobility rule: Applicant must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Finland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to the deadline of the programme’s call. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account. i.e. researchers coming to Finland should not have resided or carried activity in Finland for more than 12 months in the 36 month period before the end of the call 9.3.2025. Returning residents of Finland are eligible to apply.
• Proficiency in English language: For this, the applicant must provide official documents demonstrating one of the options (see more detailed in the Guide for Applicants).

Salary

Postdoctoral researchers selected for the Data4Healthcare programme will, by default, be offered a three-year (36-month) fixed-term full-time employment contract by the University of Oulu. The selected applicants are expected to start their project in September 2025, with December 2025 being the latest possible start date to ensure a three-year employment contract can be established.

The salary of the selected postdoctoral researchers will be paid monthly. The starting gross salary (before taxes) will be 4000 € per month for the full-time employment, in accordance with the guidelines of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND action. In addition, the researchers are also entitled to travel expenses up to 1200 € per year.

The employment contracts are based on a total working time of 1 612 hours per year, which gives the postdoctoral researchers freedom to plan their working hours.

A trial period of 6 months is applied for the position.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please send your application together with all relevant enclosures by March 9th, 2025 at 23:59 (UTC +2/Helsinki) through our recruitment system.

Guidance and detailed Instructions for applicants is available in the Guide for Applicants. The Guide for Applicants is recommended to be read carefully together with this Call text.  

All the documents must be written in English and named using the last name of the applicant and the document title.

1. Applicant’s Curriculum vitae (max two pages) and a list of peer-reviewed scientific publications (with full reference details). CV should follow the guidelines of Research Council of Finland. CV template (word) can be downloaded from the following link: https://www.aka.fi/globalassets/10rahoitus/2024-liitteet/cv-template_word.dotx
2. Research plan of one page (max 5000 characters with spaces). For preparing the research plan, it is strongly recommended for applicants to familiarize themselves with the topics of the research groups and themes available for Data4Healthcare and to contact the research group(s) they are interested. The applicant should select one or more research groups which they would like to join. The applicant should independently prepare and submit a research plan. It should be relevant to the field of work of the research group they wish to join. Applicant should submit one research plan per research group. The applicant may also freely plan and propose a research project, indicating an additional potential participating research site in UOULU. In that case a commitment letter from the additional research group has to be attached to the application (see section 7 below). See the details for Research plan in the Guide for Applicants. If the research plan exceeds the maximum length, only the first 5000 characters will be considered.
3. A motivation letter of two pages (max. 10 000 characters with spaces) with applicant´s background and putative research interests in the Data4Healthcare programme must be included. See the details for Motivation letter in the Guide for Applicants. If the motivation letter exceeds the maximum length, only the first 10 000 characters will be considered.
4. Certificates/Diplomas. Scanned copy of the original doctoral and other additional relevant degree(s) certificate(s) and, when necessary, official translations to English.
5. A valid certificate of language proficiency. The applicant must provide official document(s) demonstrating one of the options listed in University of Oulu Graduate School website: https://www.oulu.fi/en/research/graduate-school/admissions#accordion-control-language-skills
6. Ethics self-assessment form (please download the template from this link:  Data4Healthcare_EthicsSelfAssessment_call2.docx. See the details for Ethics self-assessment in the Guide for applicants.
7. Only if applicable: Signed letter of commitment from the head of the proposed new additional participating research group (see the section 2 above).

Important: The information about the research groups in UOULU with their research areas, and their potential ideas for the research projects are briefly described on the Data4Healthcare web pages and in the Guide for Applicants with secondment possibilities and contact details.

Ensure that you have included all the required attachments with your application. Only applications containing all relevant appendices and submitted through the online Varbi-recruitment system will be considered.

Please note that it’s possible to edit and supplement your application until the end of the application period. If the appendices exceed the defined maximum length, only the pages specified in the instructions are taken into account in the assessment. After submitting the application, you will receive a reply message with a link to your application form. However, we recommend completing your application as early as possible.

Applications received after the deadline or incomplete applications will not be considered. For any inquiries regarding the submission of the application, it is recommended to contact Data4Healthcare info desk ([email protected]) as soon as possible and at least a week before submitting the application.

Evaluation

The applications meeting all the eligibility requirements will be sent for an external evaluation. Applications will be evaluated according to three main criteria: the quality of the applicant, the content of the Motivation letter and the Research plan. Based on the external evaluation, 20 highest ranked applicants will be asked for an online interview. As the result of the evaluation process, the top 10 candidates will be offered postdoctoral researcher positions.

Detailed information about the evaluation procedure, structure of the Research plan and the Motivation letter is available in the Guide for Applicants.

Further Information

The Guide for Applicants provides detailed information related to the Data4Healthcare programme. If you cannot find the information you need from that document, please address your requests to [email protected]

The Department of Molecular Biosciences, Wenner-Gren Institute (MBW) conducts experimental basic research in molecular cell biology, integrative biology and infection and immune biology. The research environment is characterised by a modern and advanced methodology and has a strong international profile. MBW is one of the larger departments of the Faculty of Science at Stockholm University with more than 30 research groups and about 200 employees, of whom about 60 are doctoral students. Read more about MBW at www.su.se/mbw.

Project description

The position will be associated with the laboratory side of protein design. This includes evaluating the characteristics of designed proteins and other biomolecules that interact with proteins. These proteins can e.g. be DNA binding, bind to other proteins or have catalytic capabilities. There will be a strong focus on binding and applying laboratory techniques for evaluating interactions with proteins using techniques such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and cell assays. Theoretical knowledge of protein biophysics and modern computational methods is necessary.

Main responsibilities

• Independently evaluate protein interactions using affinity methods such as SPR.
• Design laboratory workflows for efficient analysis of chemical aspects of proteins and other biomolecules.
• Apply machine learning tools for protein design and assess the feasibility of generated designs.
• Large-scale data analysis.
• Expression and purification of designed protein products in various cell systems.

Qualification requirements

Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria

The degree must have been completed at latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the closing date. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special reasons refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills such as: Affinity methods, Cell assays, Protein production and purification, Protein design, Demonstrated ability to work independently and Cell culture.

About the employment

The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date 2025-03-01 or as per agreement.

We offer

With us, you will experience the dynamic interaction between higher education and research that makes Stockholm University an exciting and creative environment. You will work in an international environment and get favourable conditions. The university is located in the National City Park with good transport links to the city.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

Further information about the position can be obtained from Dr. Patrick Bryant, telephone: +49 1512 353 42 91, [email protected].

Application

Apply for the position at Stockholm University’s recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.