Group Leader, Institute of Biotechnology

The University of Helsinki, Finland, is a vibrant 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. It is currently investing heavily in life sciences research.

The Institute of Biotechnology (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/hilife/bi/) is an international research unit within the Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE, https://www.helsinki.fi/en/hilife) of the University of Helsinki. The mission of the Institute of Biotechnology is to advance fundamental discoveries in biosciences to benefit people and the environment.

The Institute of Biotechnology invites applications from outstanding candidates for the position of

GROUP LEADER

Research groups at the institute operate across multiple scales of biological resolution in the areas of Structural Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Genomics, and Evolutionary Biology. We seek an early-career scientist who will complement our existing research strengths while developing a unique, externally funded research profile.

The position comes with an attractive startup package and is initially for five years, with the possibility of a four-year extension based on an external mid-term evaluation. The successful candidate will have an excellent track record of research performance, including a PhD or equivalent degree, along with post-doctoral experience in an international setting, and is expected to develop an independent externally funded line of research.

We offer an inspiring international research environment, complemented by excellent research facilities that include state-of-the-art technologies in cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), X-ray crystallography, electron and light microscopy, genomics, and proteomics. These include infrastructures for cellular cryo-electron tomography, volume electron microscopy, super-resolution fluorescence light microscopy, high-throughput mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, as well as whole-genome sequencing, among many others as part of the HiLIFE infrastructure platforms (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/helsinki-institute-of-life-science/hilife-research-infrastructures). The salary is based on the scale of the Finnish universities for teaching and research personnel, depending on qualifications, career stage and experience.

The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care, health insurance, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development. Finland is a member of the EU and NATO, has high-quality free schooling (also in English), generous family benefits, and excellent healthcare. Helsinki has been ranked multiple times as one of the world’s top ten most livable cities, and Finland has been ranked as the best country in the world for expat families. For more information about working at the University of Helsinki and living in Finland, please visit our website.

The application consists of an online form and two attachments. The first attachment is a cover letter (max 1 page). The second attachment should include a curriculum vitae (max 3 pages), a complete list of publications and other research outputs with five selected outputs describing the impact and applicant’s contribution, a statement of scientific achievements (1 page), and a research plan (2 pages) for the next five years as a Group Leader. Please include the names and contact details of three academic referees who may be contacted during the evaluation process.

Applications will be evaluated by an Appointment Committee. Short-listed candidates will complete an interview process that includes a research seminar and evaluation by the international Scientific Advisory Board of the Institute of Biotechnology (see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/hilife-helsinki-institute-life-science/units/institute-biotechnology/our-community). Interviews for short-listed candidates are expected to take place in October 2025.

To apply, please submit your application using the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system by clicking on "Apply for the position".

The closing date for submitting applications is August 4, 2025.

For further information, please visit our website (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/hilife/bi). For informal inquiries contact the Director Juha Huiskonen (juha.huiskonen(at)helsinki.fi) or Vice Director Maria Vartiainen (maria.vartiainen(at)helsinki.fi). Further information on the recruitment process may be obtained from HR Specialist Anu Roine, anu.roine(at)helsinki.fi. For technical support with the online recruitment system please contact recruitment@helsinki.fi.