Postdoctoral researcher in microbiology Part-time

Postdoctoral Researcher In Microbiology

The Department of Microbiology at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher position for a fixed-term contract starting in January 2027 and ending in December 2028. The position is located at the Department of Microbiology on the Viikki campus in Helsinki, Finland. The successful candidate will join the research group led by University Lecturer Antti Karkman. A six-month trial period applies. We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the AMaRONE project (Risks and Mitigation of Antimicrobial Resistance Across One Health Sectors), funded by the Research Council of Finland. The project investigates antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across the human-animal-environment interface and combines environmental microbiology, bioinformatics, molecular biology, and One Health approaches to identify emerging resistance threats and develop strategies for their mitigation.

Research environment The Research group investigates the ecology, evolution, and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in environmental and One Health contexts. The group combines large-scale sequencing, bioinformatics, microbial cultivation, and molecular biology approaches and collaborates extensively with national and international partners. The position provides access to state-of-the-art microbiology laboratories, sequencing infrastructure, and high-performance computing resources at the University of Helsinki. The candidate will also have opportunities for collaboration with national and international project partners.

Responsibilities We welcome applicants with expertise in computational microbiology, bioinformatics, molecular microbiology, or combinations thereof. Depending on the successful candidate's expertise and interests, the project can be tailored towards computational analyses, laboratory-based validation experiments, or an integrated approach combining both. The work may involve: Developing and applying bioinformatic approaches to identify and prioritize novel antimicrobial resistance genes from environmental metagenomic datasets Designing and conducting molecular microbiology experiments to validate resistance phenotypes, mobility, and mitigation strategies of prioritized AMR genes Communicating research findings through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at international scientific conferences Co-supervising PhD and MSc students working within the project Contributing to the development of new research directions and participating in grant applications

Qualifications We are looking for a candidate who: Holds a PhD degree in microbiology, bioinformatics, molecular biology, or another relevant field of life sciences Has a strong publication record relative to career stage and demonstrated scientific initiative Is able to work independently and collaboratively in a diverse and international research environment Has excellent written and oral communication skills in English The following experience is considered an advantage: Antimicrobial resistance research Metagenomics, microbial genomics, or bioinformatics Statistical programming in R or Python High-performance computing environments Molecular cloning and functional characterization of genes Supervision of students Interdisciplinary or One Health research

We offer An opportunity to contribute to a high-impact Research Council of Finland-funded project addressing a major global health challenge A stimulating and supportive international research environment Access to excellent laboratory, sequencing, and computational infrastructure Opportunities to publish high-quality research in leading international journals Funding and encouragement to participate in international conferences and scientific networks Strong support for career development, including opportunities to develop independent research directions, build collaborations, co-supervise students, and participate in grant writing Extensive opportunities for national and international networking through project collaborators

Salary and benefits The salary is defined in accordance with the University's salary system for teaching and research personnel. The Postdoctoral Researcher's salary is based on level 5 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee shall be paid a salary component based on personal work performance. The starting salary of the Postdoctoral Researcher will c. 3600 euros/month, depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care, well-equipped sports facilities, and vast opportunities for professional development.