Research Director/Senior Researcher, Translational Cardiovascular Research

The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for a part time (40 %) Research Director/Senior Researcher position at the Kuopio Campus. The position will be filled for a three-year term from 1 November 2023 onwards (or as agreed). Please find more information below and submit your application by 2 October 2023.

Role and salary 

We are seeking talented researchers to develop new treatment strategies and gene therapy approaches to cardiovascular diseases by using preclinical and/or clinical research in cooperation with the Kuopio University Hospital (KYS). Your work will have a significant impact on the field of cardiovascular research and will help us develop new approaches to preventing and treating these devastating diseases. We are looking for passionate and self-driven individuals to contribute to strengthening UEF’s strategic profile in cardiovascular diseases.

As our new Research Director/Senior Researcher, you will be working at the A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences. The position is located in Kuopio, Finland.  

Our Cardiovascular Research Community is a world leader in conducting gene therapy trials for the treatment of ischemic cardiovascular diseases, in pre-clinical and translational studies, and in manufacturing GMP-compliant gene medicines. This position is intended to further this research and to have a significant impact on the field of translational medicine that will help us develop effective strategies for personalised prevention, diagnostics, monitoring, and treatment of chronic cardiovascular diseases.

As our new Research Director/Senior Researcher in Cardiovascular Research, you will work as an expert within the Cardiovascular Research Community. The responsibilities will also include the supervision of doctoral dissertations, possibly teaching, and the acquisition of external funding.   

The position will be filled for a part-time (40 %) three-year term from 1 November 2023 onwards (or as agreed). The position will be filled for a fixed term due to it pertaining to tasks connected to UEF Multimodal Approaches and Data Analytics in Translational Medicine development. A probationary period is applied to all new members of the staff.  

The salary of the position is determined in accordance with the salary system for Finnish universities. The salary comprises two components: a job-related salary element and a personal salary element. In this position, the job -related salary element is €3673.96 – 4235.52 /month, based on levels 6–7 of the job requirement level chart for teaching and research staff. The personal salary element can be a minimum of 6 % and a maximum of 50 % of the above-mentioned sum.  Depending on the job-related salary element and the personal salary element, the salary (40 %) will be approximately from €1616 – 2152 /month at the beginning of the employment relationship.
 
Our requirements and expectations 

Requirements 

• a doctoral degree in a relevant field and a medical degree (licenced to practise medicine in Finland)
• a strong track record of research in translational preclinical animal models and/or cardiovascular diseases
• excellent/good skills in spoken and written English. English is used as the language of instruction and supervision in this position.  
• experience in externally funded research projects, an independent approach to conducing research.

Expectations/advantages

• Being active in clinical practice
• Expertise in viral vectors 
• Specialization in cardiology
• Project management skills
• Supervisory and teaching skills necessary for the position
• Experience in international research cooperation   
• Collaboration skills
• A positiven attitude

Your benefits 

You will have access to the university’s staff benefits, including  
•    opportunity for flexible multi-location work
•    extensive occupational health care  
•    broad selection of staff training
•    staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants, as well as on a range of other services  
•    affordable sports services and tax-free bike benefit 

Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website.  

You will have an opportunity to work in an interesting and meaningful role as part of our international, creative, participatory and inclusive academic community.    

Enjoy your life in Finland! Known for its cleanliness, welfare know-how, modern technology and superb education system, Finland is an exotic and safe country to work in. Please visit the Life in Finland section on our website to learn more.    

How to apply? 

Submit your application by using our electronic application form no later than 2 October 2023 by 24:00 (midnight) Finnish time (UTC+3)

Please note that you must include the following appendices in your application

• CV (https://tenk.fi/en/advice-and-materials/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae) 
• a list of publications (https://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply-for-funding/az-index-of-application-guidelines2/list-of-publications/)
• copies of your academic degree certificates / diplomas, and copies of certificates / diplomas relating to your language proficiency, if not indicated in the academic degree certificates/diplomas  
• motivation letter: A detailed letter explaining your interest in the project, how you believe you can contribute to our objectives, and why you consider yourself a strong fit for the role
• Names and contact information for 2 referees
• Other documents to demonstrate the applicant’s merits for the position.

Questions? 

For further information on the position, please contact Professor Seppo Ylä-Herttuala, tel. +358 40 355 2075, seppo.ylaherttuala@uef.fi and Research Director Nihay Laham Karam, tel. +358 29 445 4157, nihay.laham-karam@uef.fi

For further information on the application procedure, please contact HR-secretary Tarja Salmi, tarja.salmi@uef.fi, +358 29 4458220

The Faculty of Health Sciences operates at the Kuopio Campus of the University of Eastern Finland. The Faculty offers education in medicine, dentistry, nutrition and pharmacy, as well as in some other central fields of the health care sector. The Faculty is research-intensive, and its internationally recognised research activities are closely linked to the strategic research areas of the University. There are approximately 3 090 degree students and about 580 PhD students in the Faculty. The faculty has 800 staff members.

The University of Eastern Finland, UEF, is one of the most multidisciplinary universities in Finland. We have a staff of 3,200 members, and our academic community comprises around 16,000 degree students. Our campuses are located in Joensuu and in Kuopio. Our research is ranked among the best in the world in several fields. We generate research-based knowledge and make it openly accessible for the benefit of all. To learn more about our university please visit our website at  www.uef.fi/en. On our website, you’ll also find information about the university as a work community and as an employer (https://www.uef.fi/en/article/one-university-a-thousand-stories), as well as our employees’ career stories (https://www.uef.fi/en/career-stories).

1. Nihay Laham Karam, +358294454157