06 Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of Helsinki, Finland

The post-doctoral project aims to uncover genetic and adaptive mechanisms of the tumour associated microbiome in colon cancer (CRC) and its metastasis to distant organs. The goal is to identify microbial strain specific differences in CRC-associated strains using matched oral, normal and tumour samples and their clinical impact. The aim is to validate these CRC-associated strains using state-of-the-art organoid cultures and novel in vivo mouse models to assess their influence on tumor growth and metabolic rewiring in driving CRC. Finally, we will move beyond correlations to identify functional microbial changes with comparative microbial genomics, indels and SNPs. Our groups have relevant expertise in the above technologies, for example Rafa lab’s expertise in in vivo cancer biology, mouse and organoid models and Dwibedi lab’s expertise in human microbiome genomics and microbial adaptive evolution. 

The aim of the project is to investigate how mutations in chromatin-modifying genes, a common cause of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), lead to shared disruptions in early human neurodevelopment. Using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived human neurons with targeted gene knockouts, we will apply multimodal single-cell and spatial profiling—including RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, cell morphology imaging, and spatial transcriptomics—to identify altered cell states and mis-patterning events. The aim is to integrate computational and experimental approaches, including validation in vivo, to uncover convergent gene regulatory mechanisms, with the goal of informing therapeutic strategies.

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to work on our projects that involve multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis. Also, applications for a PhD student position are invited. We pioneer in investigating lymph nodes using fine needle aspirations in these diseases and assess whole lymph nodes from Helsinki Biobank.

A postdoctoral position is available in the lab of Dr. Osamu Shimmi at the Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Finland. We are seeking a motivated and skilled researcher to join our team in the field of cell and developmental biology. 

Our team uses the developing wing of the Drosophila melanogaster as a model system to investigate how tissue morphogenesis and intercellular communication are regulated (1-3). 
The successful candidate will focus on the dynamics and molecular mechanisms of the Interplanar Amida Network (IPAN) – a membrane protrusion network – using a multidisciplinary approach that includes advanced bioimaging and image analysis, cell biology and genetics, and omics technologies.

The position is focused on the themes of challenging racism and structural inequalities, antiracism, and everyday struggles of migrants and racialised minorities. The research that the postdoctoral researcher aims to conduct should contribute to (at least one of) the mentioned research themes and provide novel scientific knowledge to the field of studies in migration and racism. The thematic area of challenging racism and structural inequalities, antiracism, and everyday struggles of migrants and racialised minorities can be studied from various perspectives, including but not restricted to: social and political mobilisations; narratives, media and culture; everyday life and everyday struggles; struggles in institutions and urban environments; resistance and resurgence; community-building; solidarity and frictions; temporality and time; knowledge created by migrants and racialised minorities; and theoretical and methodological perspectives on antiracism, anticolonialism and decoloniality.