Research Fellow (University Researcher) or Postdoctoral Researcher for AI in Drug Research
The Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, invites applications for the position of
RESEARCH FELLOW (UNIVERSITY RESEARCHER) OR POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER
for a fixed-term appointment of 4 years in total. The starting date is as agreed, typically between August and December 2025.
The research action Systems of Food and Drug Security (fooDrug) brings together University of Helsinki research across nine different units, to address challenges relating to the production, processing, distribution and use of food and drug products without compromising human safety, health, and cultural and social acceptance. We will enable the development of a more holistic, efficient and safe approach to new food and drugs and related technologies, as exemplified by advances in pharmacogenomics and nanomedicine, novel viral vectors, new food materials, improved food hygiene and enhanced human sensory experience.
The Faculty of Science is looking for a researcher working in the intersection of computer science and drug research, to support strategic focus on the use of AI in scientific research within the general area related to drug security. The position is at the Department of Computer Science, and the person is expected to engage in deep collaboration with research groups at Faculty of Science and Faculty of Pharmacy to enhance cutting edge research in the area.
The focus of the position is on application and advancement of modern artificial intelligence (AI) methods in drug discovery and development. An ideal candidate will have strong background in machine learning, computational chemistry, or related fields, with focus on areas such as generative models, virtual screening, or AI-assisted research and workflow automation. The exact research scope is flexible, and the key responsibility can relate to for example some of the following research topics. You are naturally welcome to suggest your own research plan:
• Development and use of generative AI for de novo molecular synthesis, enabling the design of novel drug-like compounds with desired pharmacological properties.
• Automated and AI-assisted workflows for drug discovery and drug development processes, drug formulation, or drug analytics.
• Virtual screening and efficacy testing using AI-driven approaches to identify promising drug candidates from large chemical libraries.
• (Retro)synthesis planning using AI to propose feasible synthetic routes for candidate molecules.
The candidate is expected to carry out their own research and collaborate with existing research groups at the university. In addition, they will be part of a joint “AI Virtual Lab” activity for supporting use of AI in scientific research, as university-wide mechanism for driving the AI transformation.
The selected candidate is expected to engage in:
• Joint planning and conduction of research in the general area of AI for drug research.
• Working as part of the group of AI researchers in the AI Virtual Laboratory.
• Educational activities relating to the application domain and/or AI.
• Broader communication with the scientists in the general application domain, working together with them to establish practices in the use of AI the area.
• Interaction with various support services, e.g. research software engineers.
Qualifications
An ideal applicant has:
1. A doctoral degree in a suitable field for the work to be carried out. Research experience after completing the doctoral degree is expected.
2. Scientific competence in developing AI methods, with proven publication record in scientific venues in the field, as well as programming skills. Publications in top-tier AI venues (e.g. NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, JMLR) are considered a significant merit.
3. Scientific interest and contributions within drug research, ideally with publications appearing in top-tier venues. Applicants with publications in a closely related field, but not exactly within the scope of the position, are asked to describe why their background is suitable for the position.
4. Own scientific research interest in AI and drug research. The scope of the methodological research is not specified by the call, but the candidates are expected to explain their research interests and relate them to the specific topic of the position.
5. Vision of what the role of AI is in the drug research and an outline of planned research relating specifically to the use of AI in scientific research, for instance development of AI methods for commonly recurring tasks in the field, human-AI collaboration in scientific research, or development of open-source tools.
6. Teaching skills.
7. For Research Fellows (University Researchers), the ideal applicant has (in addition to the above listed requirements):
A. Demonstration of other scholarly activity, such as evidence of independent research activity, the ability to lead a research group, activities in Finnish or international research groups or networks, and experience in the acquisition of research funding.
B. Evidence of public engagement.
What we offer
The University of Helsinki offers the appointee a first-class research and teaching environment as well as the conditions required for international cooperation (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/why-university-helsinki). In addition, the university offers its employees comprehensive services, including occupational health care and health insurance, unemployment and pension fund, a generous holiday package, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development.
The salary for the position will be based for Postdoctoral Researcher on level 5 and for Research Fellow (University Researcher) on level 6 (7) of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research staff in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The appointee’s gross annual salary will, in practice, for Postdoctoral Researcher range from €42,000 to €49,000 and for Research Fellow (University Researcher) range from €54,000 to €64,000, depending on their previous experience and qualifications.
The University of Helsinki provides its staff with occupational health and fitness services as well as professional development opportunities (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/why-university-helsinki/staff-benefits).
International staff are supported in relocating to Finland (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/information-arriving-international-staff).
Application instructions
Applications must be accompanied by PDF files containing the following documents:
• A curriculum vitae and doctoral degree certificate.
• List of publications.
• An accompanying letter specifying which position you apply to (Research Fellow or Postdoctoral Researcher) and addressing the qualification points 1-6(7) above.
• Names of two persons willing to provide a reference on requests (2).
Other attachments, such as letters of recommendation or other certificates, are not required at this point.
Candidates from outside the University must apply through the University’s recruitment system by clicking on ‘Apply now‘. Candidates with a helsinki.fi user account and a valid employment contract or a contract for grant-funded researchers, visiting researchers or visiting professors at the University of Helsinki must apply by clicking on ‘Employee login‘.
The closing date for applications is 5 June 2025 at 23.59 (UTC +3).
The University of Helsinki is committed to promoting equality and preventing discrimination in all its operations. We welcome applicants from a variety of gender identities, linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Further information
Further information about the position is available from the fooDrug director, Professor Mikko Airavaara (mikko.airavaara(at)helsinki.fi), from Professor Arto Klami at the Faculty of Science (computer science) (arto.klami(at)helsinki.fi), and about the recruitment process from HR Specialist Jussi Hartikainen, (jussi.a.hartikainen(at)helsinki.fi).