Postdoctoral Researcher in Single-Cell Genomics through the NORPOD program
This project explores how mutations in chromatin-modifying genes disrupt early neurodevelopment by systematically profiling in vitro neurons using multimodal single-cell and spatial profiling. By integrating gene expression, chromatin accessibility, cell morphology, and spatial data, we aim to uncover shared regulatory disruptions across neurodevelopmental disorders.
Postdoctoral Researcher in Single-Cell Genomics through the NORPOD program
NORPOD is a collaborative postdoctoral program of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine. The partnership is a network of four national research centers across the Nordics and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), with complementary research expertise at the forefront of molecular medicine research. With the NORPOD program, the Nordic EMBL Partnership aims to foster the next generation of researchers in molecular medicine by implementing joint postdoctoral research projects to nurture strong competences and research excellence.
FIMM is currently seeking a computational Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Kilpinen group, in collaboration with the Dong Won Thomas Kim group at DANDRITE, Aarhus University, through the NORPOD program.
Summary of the project
The aim of the project is to investigate how mutations in chromatin-modifying genes, a common cause of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), lead to shared disruptions in early human neurodevelopment. Using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived human neurons with targeted gene knockouts, we will apply multimodal single-cell and spatial profiling—including RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, cell morphology imaging, and spatial transcriptomics—to identify altered cell states and mis-patterning events. The aim is to integrate computational and experimental approaches, including validation in vivo, to uncover convergent gene regulatory mechanisms, with the goal of informing therapeutic strategies.
Tasks
The tasks will include one or more of the following:
• Analysis of data collected from developing neurons in vitro, including scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq, high-content imaging, and smFISH.
• Integration of multimodal single-cell and spatial data.
• Inference of gene regulatory networks, developmental trajectories, and cell-state dynamics.
• Supervision of students and other staff in designing experiments and analyzing data relevant to the project
• Writing research articles and funding applications
Skills, expertise and/or qualifications
• A completed doctoral degree in any relevant discipline, with a documented publication record considered a significant merit
• Scientific competence in computational biology, including excellent skills in programming and high-performance computing
• Research experience in a relevant field, e.g. functional genomics, transcriptomics, bioinformatics, bioimage analysis, and/or single-cell genomics
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
Ability to work independently as well as operating as a team player in multi-disciplinary projects is a must, and willingness to supervise students and staff is important. A good understanding of molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics is expected.
Research group descriptions
This NORPOD project brings together expertise from the Kilpinen group (iPSC models of NDDs, scRNA-seq, CellPainting of in vitro neurons, multimodal data analysis) and the Kim group (single-cell multiomics, gene regulatory network modelling, smfISH, in vivo perturbation tools).
Implementation
The NORPOD Fellow will be employed at the Kilpinen Group (FIMM, University of Helsinki, Finland). To promote collaboration between the two labs, this position will involve short stays at the Kim group at DANDRITE, Aarhus. Successful candidates are expected to travel between the labs to conduct work required for the research project, foster synergies and advance our goals. Expenses related to the research visits will be covered.
Contract and salary
The position is for a fixed term of 2.5 years. A trial period of six months will be applied. Salary will depend on the applicant's skills, knowledge, and abilities, and is based on the University of Helsinki salary system. The starting salary will be ca. 3,600 – 3,900 euros/month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience and including a salary component based on personal performance. Standard Finnish pension benefits and occupational health care are provided for university employees.
Selection process:
• Application deadline: August 15th, 2025
• First interview with shortlisted candidates: By September 25th, 2025
• Second interview of top candidates with an independent selection panel: October 13-17th, 2025
• NORPOD Fellowships will be awarded based on the recommendation of the selection panel, with an expected start date of: Late 2025/early 2026
How to apply: The application should include (i) two-page CV, (II) a one-page motivation statement for applying for this position, (iii) contact information of at least one reference (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number) who has agreed to provide a written statement on behalf of the applicant.
To apply, please submit the application through the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system by clicking on Apply for job. Internal applicants (i.e., current employees of the University of Helsinki) please submit your applications through SAP Fiori https://msap.sap.helsinki.fi.
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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.
The Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) is an international research unit focusing on human genomics and personalized medicine at the Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) of the University of Helsinki - a leading Nordic university with a strong commitment to life science research. As part of Academic Medical Center Helsinki in Meilahti campus FIMM collaborates locally with the Faculty of Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital and National Institute for Health and Welfare. FIMM is part of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, composed of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the centres for molecular medicine in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and the EU-LIFE Community.