We are looking for a Doctoral Researcher to join Prof. Harri Piitulainen’s Sensorimotor Systems Neuroscience (MOTOR) group within a project ”Mapping function of hand proprioception in the human motor cortex (ProMap)" funded by the Research Council of Finland.

The position is fixed-term for the period of 15 October 2024 – 31 August 2028, or as agreed.

Tasks and qualifications

As Doctoral Researcher your tasks will include preparation of the PhD thesis plan, conduction of research, reporting the results, performing PhD studies and participation to societal interaction. Your work may also include other research and teaching tasks.

In this position, you will focus on the use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to map the cortical proprioceptive (“the movement sense”) representations to stimulated and active hand movements in healthy human participants. The work will be done using 3T-fMRI at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences of the University of Jyväskylä located in Jyväskylä, Finland, but includes also visits to USA to record data using state-of-the-art 7T-fMRI in Harvard University (Boston) and/or National Institute of Mental Health (Bethesda, Washington) in collaboration with the local research groups.

The candidate is expected to have Master’s degree on neuroscience, sport science, engineering, physics, psychology or other applicable field, and fluent spoken and written English skills. Knowledge in some or all the following areas will be preferred:

Methodology and analysis for neuroimaging (fMRI, MEG, EEG, TMS, PET, etc.)
Experience on behavioral (biomechanical etc.) measurements and analysis
Biomedical signal processing
Experience in programming (Matlab, Python, etc.)

If the applicant does not have the right to study for a postgraduate degree when applying for the position, he/she must apply for it within the faculty's application periods after starting in the position. The position of a Doctoral Researcher requires a study right for a postgraduate degree at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences in the University of Jyväskylä. See more on our doctoral education page. Thus, students in the final stages of their master's degree studies can also apply for the position.

The duties, qualification requirements and language skills of Doctoral Researchers are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines.

What do we offer as an employer?

At the University of Jyväskylä, you are a recognized member of our community with a unique opportunity to influence international research. You get to participate in our international and multidisciplinary community where the welfare of each individual is important. At the University of Jyväskylä, we offer a great and lively campus area with opportunities to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities, and several restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts. Finland provides one of the most advanced and comprehensive social security in the world including e.g. sickness benefits, various family benefits and a comprehensive healthcare system. Please read more about working at the University of Jyväskylä, the City of Jyväskylä and living in Finland in our International Staff Guide.

The salary of a successful candidate will be based on level 2-4 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research staff in the salary system of Finnish universities. The annual salary will be approximately 30.500 EUR (gross income, including a holiday bonus) at the beginning of the employment. With progress of the thesis work, the salary will be increased in accordance with the Collective Agreement of Finnish Universities. A trial period of six months will be used at the beginning of the employment.

How to apply?

The application should include the following attachments as PDF files:

Curriculum vitae (CV), composed according to good scientific practice and considering where possible the researcher CV template by The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
Application letter indicating the applicant's interest in the position
Scientific merit and research including possible list of publications and/or other project reports, etc. that may benefit the applicant (to be added to “List of publications”)
Copy of your highest degree certificate

For further information, please contact Professor Harri Piitulainen: harri.t.piitulainen@jyu.fi, tel. +358505680654.

Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences

At the University of Jyväskylä, everyone can find their place in the human-centred environment of 2,600 experts and 14,700 students. Our goal is to create wisdom and wellbeing for us all. It is essential that each member of the community thrives and has opportunities to develop and grow. We cherish openness of thinking as well as the balance between research and education. Our naturally beautiful campus is located at the heart of the city of Jyväskylä. JYU is the third largest employer in Central Finland.  

Education and research in sport sciences in Finland are concentrated at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences of the University of Jyväskylä. There are two main lines of study at the Faculty: Sport Sciences and Health Sciences. Links between physical activity and health as well as promotion of exercise and health are viewed from a multidisciplinary perspective with the improvement of health, functional ability, and wellbeing across the human lifespan as the key aim.

Phone: 014 260 1211

Location: Seminaarinkatu 15

Information for the applicant

The application form cannot be saved as draft. However, after submitting you can return to edit your application via the link you receive by email. The application can be edited until the application deadline.

You have 6 hours to complete your application before the timeout.