PhDs in Molecular Medicine and Bioinformatics (Finland)

Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) is an international research institute in Helsinki (www.fimm.fi) focusing on human genomics and personalized medicine. FIMM integrates molecular medicine research and technology center and biobanking infrastructures “under one roof” and thereby promotes translational research and adoption of personalized medicine in health care. FIMM researchers are involved in several grand challenge projects, such as the impact of genome information from the Finnish population in personalized health and medical interventions, development of individualized cancer medicine, and novel diagnostics via tissue and cell imaging. The disease areas of interest of the 19 research groups cover cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurology, and viral infections.

In the areas of bioinformatics and computational systems biology and biomedicine, FIMM collaborates with Helsinki Institute for Information Technology HIIT (www.hiit.fi), a multi-disciplinary research institute focused on basic and applied research on information technology. Modern molecular medicine requires state-of-the-art methodologies in the analysis, visualization and modelling of large data sets; HIIT groups provide world-class excellence in these areas.

FIMM and HIIT work together with the University of Helsinki Doctoral School in Health Sciences(DSHealth) and doctoral programs (www.helsinki.fi/health/) and Helsinki Doctoral Education Network in Information and Communications Technology (HICT, www.hict.fi) to provide excellent research training and courses aimed at a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki or Aalto University.

As part of an annual international joint call of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, we currently have three openings for doctoral students who show outstanding potential to become independent researchers and who will significantly benefit from the FIMM-EMBL International PhD training. Specifically, these positions are in the fields of molecular medicine (FIMM) and bioinformatics, computational systems biology and biomedicine (FIMM-HIIT).

Detailed information about the research areas relevant to this call can be found at the following websites:

www.fimm.fi/en/research

www.hiit.fi/fimm-hiit-doctoral-student-call

Please note that candidates are expected to carefully follow the application instructions below; applications sent directly to group leaders will not be processed or reviewed.



Qualifications and experience

Candidates are expected to have a relevant second cycle academic degree (MSc, MD or equivalent) in biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, biotechnology, cell biology, computer science, genetics, mathematics, medicine, or other related fields, obtained before the starting date. The successful candidate will have good problem solving, troubleshooting, and analytical skills. In addition, the candidate should be fluent in English, have good interpersonal and written and oral communication skills, and be able to work independently as well as within an international team.



Application and selection process

Candidates are invited to apply online no later than February 19, 2016 at 23:59 Eastern European Time.



To apply, applicants should submit to the online system the following materials prepared in English:

· Online application form: elomake.helsinki.fi/lomakkeet/66100/

· Cover and motivation letter (maximum 3 pages) describing, in separate sections,

o Previous and current research experience and studies

o Motivation for pursuing doctoral studies

o Research interests and how these match the research areas and groups at FIMM and HIIT

· CV or resume (maximum 2 pages)


The letter and CV/resume must be submitted as a single PDF file.

Applications submitted after the deadline or failing to meet the requirements above will not be considered.

Application review will begin after the close of the call. Top candidates will be jointly selected by FIMM and HIIT and invited for an interview with a selection committee. The final candidates selected for the positions will be offered an initial contract for 18 months during the first half of which they will engage in training through research group rotations. Upon a successful review and selection of a research group after the rotational period, the initial contract will be extended up to a four-year period.



For further information about:

· FIMM, research training at FIMM and this open call, please visit www.fimm.fi,
www.fimm.fi/en/training, or contact Gretchen Repasky, Research Training Coordinator

· HIIT, please visit www.hiit.fi or contact Maria Lindqvist, Research Coordinator

· University of Helsinki Doctoral School in Health Sciences and doctoral programs, please
visit www.helsinki.fi/health/.

· Helsinki Doctoral Education Network in Information and Communications Technology (HICT),
please visit www.hict.fi

· University of Helsinki International Staff Services, please visit www.helsinki.fi/intstaff/.



This announcement is also available in PDF here.