Postdoctoral / Doctoral Researcher in cell and molecular biology, Vartiainen group
University of Helsinki is one of the world’s leading universities for multidisciplinary research. Helsinki Institute of Life Science HiLIFE is an independent research institute that supports high-quality life science research across University campuses and faculties. Institute of Biotechnology BI, a part of HiLIFE, is an internationally renowned research institute with an inclusive and curiosity-driven working culture. The research activities are carried out in research groups joined into three multidisciplinary research programs. The Institute hosts several shared research infrastructures, including cutting-edge facilities for cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), light microscopy, sequencing, and proteomics. For more information, please visit https://www.helsinki.fi/hilife/bi.
The position
A Postdoctoral and/or Doctoral Researcher position is available in the lab of Dr. Maria Vartiainen at the Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Finland (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/nuclear-organization-by-actin). We are seeking a motivated researcher to join our team in the field of cell and molecular biology. By combining advanced imaging techniques with functional genomics, we study how actin operates in the nucleus to regulate nuclear organization and consequently nuclear processes. The successful candidate(s) will focus on the mechanisms by which actin regulates the activity of specific transcription factors using cell biological and sequencing-based (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, CUT&RUN, PROseq) techniques.
Qualifications
We invite applications from candidates with a strong theoretical background and a degree in cell and molecular biology (or similar field) and preferably some practical experience in cell culture and/or functional genomics methods. For the Doctoral Researcher position, we may also consider candidates who are interested in first doing their MSc theses on the topic.
Contract & salary
The position is available from 1.9.2025 and can continue until August 31, 2029.
The salary of the positions will be based on salary system of Finnish universities for teaching and research personnel. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance.
How to apply
Applications are to be sent as a single PDF-file by August 15, 2025, using the University’s recruitment system via the button “Apply now”. The application should include a short cover letter (max 1 page) describing your expertise and motivation for the position, a CV (max 2 pages), and the names and contact information for at least two references.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position may be filled before the deadline if a suitable candidate is identified.
Contact details
Further inquiries regarding the project scope or position details, please contact: maria.vartiainen@helsinki.fi
Maria Vartiainen, Research director
E-mail: maria.vartiainen@helsinki.fi
HiLIFE/Institute of BiotechnologyUniversity of Helsinki, Finland
Selected references
Kyheröinen S, Prajapati B, Sokolova M, Schmitz M, Viita T, Geyer M, Vartiainen MK. Actin associates with actively elongating genes and binds directly to the Cdk9 subunit of P-TEFb. J Biol Chem. 2024 Mar;300(3):105698. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105698. Epub 2024 Jan 30. PMID: 38301887; PMCID: PMC10891344.
Prajapati B, Sokolova M, Sidorenko E, Kyriacou M, Kyheröinen S, Vihervaara A, Vartiainen MK. CCG-1423-derived compounds reduce global RNA synthesis and inhibit transcriptional responses. J Cell Sci. 2024 Jul 1;137(13): jcs261790. doi: 10.1242/jcs.261790. Epub 2024 Jul 15. PMID: 38841882.
Sidorenko E, Sokolova M, Pennanen AP, Kyheröinen S, Posern G, Foisner R, Vartiainen MK. Lamina-associated polypeptide 2α is required for intranuclear MRTF-A activity. Sci Rep. 2022 Feb 10;12(1):2306. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-06135-5. PMID: 35145145; PMCID: PMC8831594.