06 Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of Helsinki, Finland

The Hakala Research Group is a newly founded research team at the Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Helsinki. We study structural mechanisms and biological functions of mechanosensitive membrane microdomains. By using a combination of structural biology, biochemistry, in vitro reconstitution, cell biology, and fluorescence microscopy imaging tools, we aim to uncover how protein-membrane interactions promote membrane microdomain formation and how these structures respond to external stress. We want to understand how mechanosensitive membrane microdomains maintain normal cellular processes and how changes in their structure and biophysical properties lead to diseases.

The hired researchers will work as part of the computational aerosol physics and urban meteorology groups at INAR. The computational aerosol physics group uses computational and theoretical methods to understand cluster and particle formation for atmospherically relevant molecules. The urban meteorology group studies urban atmosphere, air quality and greenhouse gas cycle using a wide range of theoretical and experimental methods.

RESTART project studies the future urban chemical cocktail by combining state-of-the-art molecular-level simulations on recently discovered aerosol-forming organic compounds, automated reaction mechanism generators, and high-resolution local scale air quality modelling. The project is funded by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation. Research tasks include

• Developing future emission scenarios for various urban environments;
• Updating and applying reaction mechanism generators describing urban air chemistry;
• Developing volatility estimates relevant for urban chemistry;
• Developing quantum chemistry-based approaches for organic new-particle formation;
• Evaluating and advancing modelling capabilities of the PALM-SALSA model system in simulating urban air quality;
• Mapping changes urban air quality in selected cities.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment dedicated to exploring host–virus interactions, and their impact on human health and disease. The position comprises wet-lab experiments, advanced computational analyses, and development of innovative methodologies to investigate the human tissue-resident virome.

The position is embedded within a dedicated and inspiring research group that values interdisciplinary teamwork, scientific rigor, and innovation. We work in close collaboration with clinicians and other experts in molecular virology, immunology, genomics, and bioinformatics.

The Faculty of Theology in the University of Helsinki is searching for Postdoctoral Researcher for a period of 2 years for the Academy of Finland funded research project Jeremiah for the 21st Century (PI: Dr. Miika Tucker) to carry out research connected to:

• The Peshitta version of Jeremiah
• Textual criticism of the Book of Jeremiah

The research will be related to Tucker’s project on the critical editions of Jeremiah for the series Biblia Hebraica Quinta and The Hebrew Bible: A Critical Edition. The project aims at establishing the closest-to-original text of the book of Jeremiah.

The researcher in Jeremiah for the 21st Century will work in close collaboration with the PI. The duties of the researcher include:

• Collation and text-critical analysis of the Peshitta version of Jeremiah, including assessment of the Peshitta readings in comparison with the readings in the Masoretic text and the Septuagint.
• Sharing and processing the textual data on an electronic platform.
• Publishing their analytical findings on the text(s) they study in first-rate journals.
• Teaching and related duties in the Faculty of Theology (5–10%).

The University of Helsinki invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher position for a contract starting as soon as possible and ending in August 2028. The position is open at the Department of Food and Nutrition located in Viikki campus in Helsinki, Finland. The appointed person will be joining the Molecular Nutrition group led by Professor Anne-Maria Pajari.

The successful candidate will work in the project Precision Nutrition Approach for Increasing Fibre Intake and Health Using Gut Microbiota-matched Sustainable Fibre Sources (fibrematch.eu), funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC). The project aims to match dietary fibre types to prevalent functional gut microbiome subtypes to increase fibre consumption without digestive symptoms. The project aligns with the overall aim of our research group in understanding the molecular mechanisms by which diets and diet-derived compounds mediate their effects on health and prevention of non-communicable diseases. Our main focus is on gut physiology, metabolism and microbiota. Our methodological approaches include cell cultures, animal models and randomised controlled trials.

The main aim of the postdoctoral project is to design and conduct field and greenhouse experiments for testing causality in plant-microclimate relationships, especially from a functional ecology perspective. The focus is on tundra plants under climate change and how microclimates shape responses within and across species, populations, and communities. The main task of the postdoctoral researcher involves designing and registering protocols for greenhouse and field experiments, conducting the experiments, and carrying out the related statistical analyses and writing of manuscripts.