Title of the project: understand the molecular mechanisms of host recognition and viral infection in archaea.

The aim of this PhD position is to understand the molecular mechanisms of host recognition and viral infection in archaea. This will be studied using several archaeal viruses infecting biotechnologically relevant strains. The PhD project aims to examine unexplored functions of the archaeal cell envelope, study how viruses hijack surface filaments, S-layers and other cell-envelope components to infect archaeal cells and which viral components are responsible for recognizing the archaeal surface complexes, degrading cell envelope components, and entering the cell. Understanding the functions of archaeal cell envelope components and viruses and how they interact is important and offers great potential for the development of biotechnological solutions. Secondments are planned to an industrial and academic ARCTECH partner to learn specific technologies required for the project.

More information about the Molecular Principles of Viruses research group at the University of Helsinki: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/molecular-principles-of-viruses

Requirements

Research Field: Biological sciences

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Excellent track record in relation to the opportunity
• Completed Master’s degree in Biology, Virology, Microbiology, or related
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an above average grade for your MSc degree.
• Very good communication and collaboration skills and fluency in written and oral English

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience in working with archaea, archaeal viruses or bacteriophages
• Practical experience of “wet lab work”
• Experience in bioinformatics is considered as an advantage
• Experience in time management and teamwork
• Above-average commitment, ability to work independently and integrate into an interdisciplinary team
• Scientific curiosity and passion

Specific Requirements

• Must not already hold a doctoral degree
• Must comply with the MSC Action mobility rule: not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Finland for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date
• You must have completed a Master’s degree or a foreign degree that makes you eligible for doctoral education in the country where the degree was completed
• The appointee must apply, and obtain, the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki within the probationary period of 6 months. If appointed, the study rights can be applied for the Doctoral Programme in Microbiology and Biotechnology 5 times a year (more information). 

Additional information

Benefits

• Access to state-of-the-art training within the ARCTECH doctoral network, at an academic, and industry level
• Opportunities to collaborate with discipline specific world leading researchers
• A mobility allowance to support relocation
• A family allowance for the relocation of family (terms and conditions apply)

Eligibility criteria

When you apply the study rights during the 6-month probationary period, the University of Helsinki will verify your eligibility for doctoral education from the documents you have submitted. 

Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of theEuropean Commission’s European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code

Selection process

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.  Applications should include:

• Complete CV (name, address, degree(s) with transcript(s) of grades, research experience, educational and employment history, publications etc.)
• Letter of application (max. 1 page) including a short explanation of the applicant’s motivation to undertake a PhD
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor’s and master’s degrees
• A copy of the master’s thesis. If you recently have submitted your master’s thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master’s degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Names, contact details (including email addresses) of at least two referees

Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.

Please upload your application with the documents as listed above, quoting the reference number , by 5pm (CET+1) on 12^th May 2024 via the application form.

Applications submitted by post or to other email addresses will not be considered. 

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience, and personal and interpersonal qualities.

Additional comments

The University of Helsinki is Finland’s largest and oldest academic institution. Since 1640, it has contributed to the establishment of a fair and equal society that is considered the best in the world according to a number of indicators. Today, this multidisciplinary academic community solves problems that concern all of us, also on the global scale. A community of 40,000 students and employees is diversely open, comprehensively quality conscious and joyfully serious. Internationalization means many things for us. Together we create solutions that will shape the future of our planet and all of humanity.

The University of Helsinki is an international research environment: one fourth of our doctoral researchers are international students. Completing a doctoral degree in English is possible in all our doctoral programmes. No tuition fees are charged of doctoral researchers, but you are expected to cover your costs for living and accommodation. Approximately a quarter of our doctoral researchers complete their research in an employment relationship with the University.

For more information about working at the University of Helsinki and living in Finland, please see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers

The University of Helsinki provides its staff with occupational health and sports services as well as professional development opportunities (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/why-university-helsinki/staff-benefits). The appointee is expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki. International staff is supported in relocating to Finland (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/welcome).

The salary is competitive and complies with the MSC Work Programme: appr. 3550 €/month, including Mobility allowance, after compulsory deductions. A conditional Family allowance of appr. 380 € can be added to the salary.

The MSC PhD funding is for 36 months (i.e., funding from the European Commission). Additional 12 months’ salary is provided by the University of Helsinki, following the pay scale of the collective agreement for Universities in Finland.

The position is limited to a period of 4 years (full time). There is a probationary period of 6 months.