The ImmuDocs Doctoral Education Pilot, the University of Turku, is inviting applications for 12 fixed-term Doctoral Researcher positions at the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Technology from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027.
The positions are related to the ImmuDocs Doctoral Training Education Pilot project, funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture, started 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 choose the projects they are applying for at the end of this application form. 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. Impact of the innate immune system on target organ integrity in multiple sclerosis, Principal Supervisor: Laura Airas
2. Dendritic cell chemotaxis and gradient generation in changing tissue environment, Principal Supervisor: Jonna Alanko
3. Uncovering mechanisms affecting waning vaccine-induced immunity against Bordetella pertussis, Principal Supervisor: Qiushui He
4. Exosomes and circulating leukocyte-born microbial DNA as drivers of autoimmunity and sources of biomarker discovery in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Principal Supervisor: Arno Hänninen
5. Novel approaches to immune monitoring and biomarker discovery in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Principal Supervisor: Arno Hänninen
6. In-vivo Characterization of Pericoronary Local Inflammatory Activity in Atherosclerosis, Principal Supervisor: Juhani Knuuti
7. Changes in human immune cells associated with the development of type 1 diabetes, Principal Supervisor: Riitta Lahesmaa
8. Mechanisms of antigen presentation in B cells - the role of Septin cytoskeleton, Principal Supervisor: Pieta Mattila
9. Building blocks for computational immunology: Artificial intelligence based integrative analysis of histology and spatial proteomics, Principal Supervisor: Pekka Ruusuvuori
10. In vitro assay and AI-assisted tools for improved characterization of anti-tumor immune response in bladder cancer, Principal Supervisor: Pekka Taimen
11. Combined single-cell imaging and proteomic analysis to unveil human myeloid cell heterogeneity, Principal Supervisor: Akira Takeda
12. Three-dimensional streptavidin base layer as generic approach to improved antibody binding capacity and reactivity on solid-phase immunoassays, Pääohjaaja: Tero Soukka
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 January 2025 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 28.10.-8.11.2024.
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.