Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Cellular Metabolism
The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences invites applications for the position of
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR / ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN CELLULAR METABOLISM
The expected starting for the position is by 1st January 2026 or by mutual agreement.
The successful applicant will be appointed to a fixed-term assistant / associate professorship (tenure track), with a clear and predictable path towards potential future tenuring as full professor (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/university/careers-at-the-university-of-helsinki/tenure-track-at-the-university-of-helsinki). We are looking for candidates who would complement the scientific profile of the Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-biological-and-environmental-sciences/research/molecular-and-integrative-biosciences. The position is part of a research profile building area focusing on Sustainable Wellbeing Across Lifespan (SWAN), which aims to consolidate University of Helsinki’s world-leading research on healthy aging. Therefore, the appointee is expected to engage in collaboration with other SWAN members to build an interdisciplinary network of scientific excellence, working towards a long-term goal to reorient from managing chronic diseases to promoting “chronic health” and enhance healthy years in the population. For further information about SWAN, see https://www.swan-helsinkiuni.net/
The candidate is expected to have a track record in research related to Cellular Metabolism Suitable research topics include, but are not limited to, molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of cellular metabolism and the physiological and pathophysiological implications of cellular metabolism, with possible relevance to human health. Experience in utilizing and developing relevant experimental approaches, such as metabolomics, lipidomics or other techniques relevant for metabolic research, including computational approaches, is considered an advantage. The selected candidate is expected to build up and lead an independent research group, acquire external research funding, and conduct innovative research as well as to be committed to excellence in researcher training and undergraduate education. Duties will include active participation in the teaching and development of Bachelor’s and Master’s courses related to the field of the position (see https://www.helsinki.fi/fi/koulutusohjelmat/molekyylibiotieteiden-kandiohjelma; https://www.helsinki.fi/en/degree-programmes/genetics-and-molecular-biosciences-masters-programme/studying ; https://www.helsinki.fi/en/degree-programmes/neuroscience-masters-programme).
An appointee must have a doctoral degree, have the ability to conduct independent scholarly work and have the teaching skills necessary for the position. Other requirements include the ability and motivation to pursue a scientific career and to supervise theses and dissertations.
When considering the applicant’s qualifications, special attention will be given to the strength of the applicant’s overall scientific profile, components of which include: scientific publications and their impact in the applicant’s field of research, applicant’s research training, success in obtaining research funding, scientific cooperation and research networks and other activity in the scientific community. Experience and achievements as an independent group leader (including merits in research training) will be assessed for candidates at a more advanced career stage, but early-stage candidates approaching scientific independence are also encouraged to apply and will be evaluated with respect to their career stage. A strong applicant is expected to have, or have high potential for, a strong internationally visible profile in their research field and competitive external funding (e.g. Research Council of Finland, ERC). A strong applicant is also expected to show commitment, vision and skills for giving and developing research-based education. The applicants will be evaluated for (with respect to career stage) pedagogical competence and vision, teaching experience, experience in supervision of undergraduate and graduate theses, as well as participation in doctoral education. Skills in student-centered and blended learning approaches using digital tools are considered an advantage. There is no requirement to be proficient in Finnish for foreign citizens, non-native Finnish citizens or citizens who have not been educated in Finnish or Swedish. To successfully attend to the duties of the position, the appointee must have good skills in English. The University of Helsinki has signed the DORA Declaration and applies its principles when assessing the scientific merit of applicants.
The starting annual gross salary for assistant/associate professors typically amounts to 65,000 - 77,000 euros, depending on the appointee’s career stage and scholarly qualifications. In addition to the facilities and research infrastructure that are currently available, the Faculty will provide a startup package to the appointee. The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, language courses, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development. The International Staff Services office (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/university/working-at-the-university) assists employees from abroad with their transition to work and life in Finland.
The University of Helsinki is an international scientific community of 40,000 students and researchers. It is one of the leading multidisciplinary research universities and ranks among the top 100 international universities in the world. We are an equal opportunity employer and offer an attractive and diverse workplace in an inspiring environment with a variety of development opportunities and benefits. The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-biological-and-environmental-sciences) is Finland’s premier hub for life science research and education. The professorship is based in the Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, which is one of the three Research Programmes in the Faculty. Strong research areas of the Programme, which are also reflected in teaching, are genetics & genomics, molecular, cellular and developmental biology as well as metabolism and neurobiology. For further information, see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-biological-and-environmental-sciences/research/molecular-and-integrative-biosciences. The research and teaching activities at the Viikki Campus are supported by state-of-the-art infrastructures including core facilities for e.g. DNA sequencing and genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and light- and electron microscopy (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/helsinki-institute-of-life-science/hilife-research-infrastructures). Within the Research Programme, an in-house animal facility and a wide range of laboratory services support research.
Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications the following documents in English:
1) A letter of motivation, including justification for the suitability to tenure track stage (max. 2 pages)
2) CV (max. 3 pages)
3) A report including the applicant’s previous research activities and acquired external funding as well as a research plan for how the applicant intends to develop their research activities in the future (max. 3 pages)
4) A report (max. 3 pages) of experience, merits and vision, which are of relevance for the evaluation of teaching skills (please see the evaluation guidelines at https://www.helsinki.fi/sites/default/files/atoms/files/bytdk_teaching_skills_assessment_matrix_010418.pdf)
5) A numbered list of publications in English and other works with which the applicant wishes to demonstrate their competence and merits, with maximum 10 most important publications highlighted with brief explanations of their scientific importance.
Applications must be submitted through the University’s electronic recruitment system by clicking on the link below. Internal applicants (i.e., current employees of the University of Helsinki) must submit their applications through the SAP HR portal. The deadline for applications is 17 August, 2025.
Further information can be obtained from the Director of the Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Professor Juha Partanen, juha.m.partanen (at) helsinki.fi, tel. +358 (0) 2941 59382 or from Professor Ville Hietakangas, ville.hietakangas (at) helsinki.fi, tel. +358-50-318-2927.
Technical support for using the recruitment system: rekrytointi (at) helsinki.fi