Postdoctoral Researcher, Cell or Molecular Biology

The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position on the Kuopio Campus. The position will be filled for a fixed term of 3 years from 1 September 2026 onwards (or as agreed). Please find more information below and submit your application by 4 August 2026.

Role and salary 

As our new Postdoctoral Researcher in cell or molecular biology, you will be working in the Institute of Biomedicine at the Faculty of Health Sciences on the ‘Principles of pioneer transcription factor function in the development of prostate cancer therapy resistance’ project, which is funded by the Research Council of Finland and led by Assistant Professor Ville Paakinaho. The position is located in Kuopio, Finland. 

The project investigates how the function of pioneer transcription factors changes during the development of drug resistance in prostate cancer, and how these critical steps are modulated by signal-dependent transcription factors and coregulators. The aims of the project are achieved by mainly utilising state-of-the-art genome-wide sequencing methods, chromatin proteomics and imaging technologies combined with functional perturbations. The project involves international mobility and collaboration.

For more information on the group leader and the research, please visit:

Assistant Professor (tenure track) Ville Paakinaho (web page)

Transcription factor crosstalk in cancers - Paakinaho lab (web page)

As our new Postdoctoral Researcher in cell or molecular biology, your main responsibilities will include:  

• conducting research in accordance with the research proposal of the funded project, 
• taking an active role in reporting and creating high-quality scientific publications, 
• assisting the doctoral students of the research group in their studies.

The position will be filled for a fixed term of 3 years from 1 September 2026 onwards (or as agreed). The position will be filled for a fixed term due to it pertaining to a specific project. A trial period is applied to all new members of the staff.    

The salary of the position is determined in accordance with the salary system of Finnish universities. The salary comprises two components: a job-related salary element and a personal salary element. In the Postdoctoral Researcher position, the job-related salary element is EUR 3,366.36 /month, based on level 5 of the job requirement level chart for teaching and research staff. The personal salary element can be a minimum of 6% and a maximum of 50% of the above-mentioned sum. Depending on the personal salary element, the salary will be approximately EUR 3,560–  4,050/month at the beginning of the employment relationship.

Requirements and advantages 

Requirements 

• A doctoral degree in cell biology, molecular biology, molecular medicine, or a similar field
• The doctoral degree may not have been completed more than five years ago at the time of accepting the position (a net period of time, which does not include parental leaves, military service etc.)
• A strong research record indicated by achievements relevant to the field
• Excellent/very good skills in spoken and written English.   

Advantages

• Experience in fluorescence imaging and genome editing of mammalian cells
• First-author peer-reviewed publication(s) 

Your benefits 

You will have access to the university’s staff benefits, including 

• opportunity for flexible multi-location work
• excellent opportunities for professional development and continuous learning
• extensive occupational health care  
• broad selection of staff training
• staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants, as well as on a range of other services 
• affordable sports services

Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website.  

You will have an opportunity to work in an interesting, meaningful and diverse role as part of our international, creative, participatory and inclusive academic community.    

Enjoy your life in Finland! Known for its cleanliness, welfare know-how, modern technology and superb education system, Finland is an exotic and safe country to work in. Please visit the Life in Finland section on our website to learn more.    

How to apply? 

Submit your application by using our electronic application form no later than 4 August 2026 by 24:00 (midnight) Finnish time (UTC+3).

Please note that you must include the following appendices in your application: 

• CV (Template for CV, TENK web page)
• a list of publications (Instructions, Research Council of Finland Web page)
• copies of your academic degree certificates / diplomas, and copies of certificates / diplomas relating to your language proficiency, if not indicated in the academic degree certificates/diplomas  
• a motivation letter (max. 1 page)
• a development plan (max. 1 page) explaining how the applicant utilizes their previous research achievements in the applied position
• the applicant may also include other documents to demonstrate their merits for the position (e.g., letters of recommendation, etc.) 

Questions? 
For further information on the position, please contact Assistant Professor Ville Paakinaho, [email protected]. 

Technical support for the Varbi system is available: [email protected] (not the week 29), v[email protected] (not the weeks 29 and 30) and throughout the summer: [email protected].

The Faculty of Health Sciences operates at the Kuopio Campus of the University of Eastern Finland. The Faculty offers education in medicine, dentistry, nutrition and pharmacy, as well as in some other central fields of the health care sector. The Faculty is research-intensive, and its internationally recognised research activities are closely linked to the strategic research areas of the University. There are approximately 3 090 degree students and about 580 PhD students in the Faculty. The faculty has 800 staff members.

The University of Eastern Finland (UEF) is the most multidisciplinary university in Finland. Our university employs approximately 3,200 employees, and our community includes approximately 17,000 degree students and 16,000 adult education students. Our campuses are located in Joensuu and Kuopio. We represent the world’s cutting edge of research in many fields and produce research-based knowledge, which is made openly available to benefit everyone. Learn more about our university at www.uef.fi/en. Read also about UEF as a working community and employer and the career stories of our employees.

1. Ville Paakinaho, [email protected]