Doctoral Researcher in Plant Genetics

The Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences invite applications for the position of 

a Doctoral Researcher in Plant Genetics

The doctoral researcher will be employed full-time for a fixed term of two years in the research group of assoc. prof. Roosa Laitinen. The earliest starting date is 1.1.2025.

Roosa Laitinen´ s research group utilizes both global and local accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana to understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms of plant resilience to changing environments. We combine methods of genetics and genomics to state-of-art molecular methods that are available for Arabidopsis.

We are seeking a doctoral researcher to work on a project investigating factors underlying light and temperature-mediated plasticity in flowers in A. thaliana. The aim is to use take advantage of the natural variation and mutants in A. thaliana and combine molecular and genetic methods with field studies to understand the adaptive potential of flower size plasticity in plants.

We seek highly motivated candidates with excellent communicational skills, and who can work both independently and in team environments. Fluency in English is expected. The candidate should have MSc degree in genetics, molecular biology or plant biology and to have proven academic ability to take initiative and think independently as well as experience in working with plants.

For more information, contact assoc. prof. Roosa Laitinen: Roosa.Laitinen@helsinki.fi

The position is fixed-term (24 months) with a six-month probation period. Salary is based on levels 1−4 of the demands level chart for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance with the overall salary amounting to approximately 2400−3000 €/month (gross) depending on the stage of the doctoral studies and work performance. Standard Finnish pension benefits, occupational health care and health insurance are provided for the University employees. The University offers comprehensive services including sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development. PhD degree consists of the student’s own research work and studies specific to the doctoral candidate's discipline or research field, as well as transferable skills training, and career orientation and guidance (40 ECTS). English is the primary language of study in doctoral education. The University has 4,700 doctoral students, one-fourth of them international students, and awards approximately 500 doctoral degrees annually. The successful candidate will apply for the right to study for a doctoral degree in a PhD program of the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research/ doctoral-education/doctoral-schools-and-programmes).

Application should include the following documents as a single pdf file: motivational letter (max 1 page) and CV (max 2 pages). Include also contact information of two persons who can provide a reference letter based on request. 

Please submit your application using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the Apply link. Applicants who are employees of the University of Helsinki are requested to leave their application via the SAP HR portal. The deadline for submitting the application is 29th of November 2024.