Postdoctoral Researcher in bioanalytical chemistry

Position description

We seek to recruit a post-doctoral researcher to increase and develop our knowledge on the use of biomimetic membrane models for understanding biomembrane-analyte interactions. The work is carried out at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Helsinki in close collaboration with scientists in the field of biology, biochemistry, and medicine. The project leader is Professor Susanne Wiedmer (University of Helsinki).

Instrumental bioanalytical separation methodologies and optical sensing techniques are highly applicable for the separation and characterization of numerous types of bionanoparticles. We are continuously developing chromatographic and capillary electromigration (CE) techniques, as well as flow field flow fractionation and biosensing methodologies, for getting a better understanding of bionanoparticles and their interactions with external compounds. Much focus is on using biomimicking liposomes or various types of extracellular vesicles for investigating analyte-membrane interactions. However, the use of sensing methodologies for such interaction studies have not been studied too much, and the goal here is to get a better understanding of various types of bionanoparticles and to investigate their composition and interactions with various compounds.

The postdoctoral researcher will be offered a contract for a two-year fixed-term period starting from 1st of January 2023 onwards (or as agreed).

Salary and benefits

For a post-doctoral researcher, the starting salary is 3600 - 3800 euros/month, depending on previous qualifications and experience.

The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development. The University provides support for internationally recruited employees with their transition to work and life in Finland. For more on the University of Helsinki as an employer, please see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers .

Requirements

The applicant should hold a relevant PhD in analytical or physical chemistry, or biochemistry, or an aligned subject. Applicants should have experience of working with biosensing methodologies like dissipative quartz crystal microbalance or localized surface plasmon resonance (nanoplasmonic sensing). Experience of working with analytical separation science methodologies, in particular liquid chromatography and capillary electromigration techniques is also required. In addition, experience or knowledge of flow field fractionation and/or physical chemistry characterization methodologies are considered a major plus.

An interest in analytical chemistry pedagogy is essential. The post-doctoral researcher is expected to take part in teaching in the laboratory. The working language of the laboratory is English, but knowledge of Finnish or Swedish is considered beneficial. Good writing and communication skills in English are highly essential.

How to apply

Please submit as a single pdf file:

• An application letter describing motivation, background, and research interests

• Your CV

• The contact details of two potential referees who have already agreed to provide letters of recommendation

• Your list of publications (and a link to your Google Scholar profile)

External applicants, please submit your application using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the Apply Now button.

Applicants, who have a helsinki.fi username and a valid employment contract, a grant researcher's contract, a visiting researcher's or visiting professor's contract at the University of Helsinki, are requested to leave their application by using the Employee login.

The deadline for submitting the application is November 25, 2022 at 23:59. Short-listed applicants will be invited to an interview (likely online) soon after.

The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of gender identities, and linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Additional information

For more information on the position, please contact professor Susanne Wiedmer (susanne.wiedmer(at)helsinki.fi).

The University of Helsinki  is an international scientific community of 40,000 students and researchers. It is one of the leading multidisciplinary research universities in Europe and ranks among the top 100 international universities in the world. The Department of Chemistry , which is part of the Faculty of Science , is the leading Chemistry research and teaching unit in Finland. The research themes of the Department cover all aspects of Chemistry research, including analytical and bioanalytical chemistry.