06 Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of Helsinki, Finland

The laboratory of Dr. Jette Lengefeld is inviting applications for post-doctoral researchers and/or PhD-students in cell biology and stem cell biology.

The failure to regenerate tissue with age is a major health issue. A contributor to this decline is the loss of stem cell function. Despite the essential role of stem cells, it is still unclear how they fail to maintain their functions during aging and disease. We discovered a new aspect of stem cell aging in vivo: cellular enlargement. With age and damage, stem cells increase in size, causing their functional decline. However, we are only beginning to understand how size impacts stem cell fitness and the physiological importance of this process remains unsolved.

For this project, we will use blood (hematopoietic) stem cells from mice and human bone marrow donations to address this question: Does deregulation of cellular size affect cancer?
We utilize blood stem cells from mice and humans to identify factors that facilitate leukaemia in vivo and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Viruses with RNA genomes cause most of the emerging and re-emerging infectious disease epidemics. Alphaviruses are mosquito-borne viruses causing febrile disease, found both in tropical and temperate regions. The project aims to establish a comprehensive view of host interaction during alphavirus replication by identifying host proteins that assist in virus replication. We aim to understand the specific actions that each host factor performs during virus replication. The proteins could assist e.g. in the modification of host cell membranes, as viruses rearrange the membranes to create protective replication vesicles. The host proteins important for virus replication are attractive new targets for antiviral drugs. The starting point of the project is a large proteomics dataset, so the project can be tailored together with the successful applicant based on their interest and prior experience. The work could include detailed virological, cell biological, or biochemical/structural characterization of the selected protein(s). We are supported by top-level local core facilities in proteomics, as well as light and electron microscopy and sequencing. The project entails collaboration with other teams and universities. 

The research in this project is focused on structural biology and biophysics of protein interactions in neuronal synapse function and in regulation of synapse loss in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by the complement system (see e.g Chernyaeva et al. EMBO Reports (2023)). We have long standing interest in complement research (e.g. Kajander et al. PNAS (2011); Bhattacharjee et al. J Biol Chem (2013)), and synaptic adhesion (e.g. Karki et al. Sci Reports (2020), Kim et al. PNAS (2022)). Other projects in the group focus currently e.g. on endoplasmic reticulum stress response regulation, and overall on the HiLIFE protein crystallization core facility operation and related projects.

The successful candidate will work on protein production and molecular interaction studies of complement proteins protective of neuronal synapses in AD, in collaboration with Dr. Karita Haapasalo’s group at the medical faculty. Specifically, protein-protein interactions of complement proteins and ApoE and synaptic proteins will be studied biophysically, biochemically, and by structural biology methods to visualize at the atomic level the protein interactions involved in the complement function at the synapse in disease states.

We seek for a postdoctoral researcher in geothermics to join our multidisciplinary team to conduct research on heat and mass transfer in crystalline rock using experimental data and numerical modelling.You will mainly be working in the Research Council of Finland funded project DAFNE-22: Deep life, Hydrogeology and Geothermics, with a focus on hydraulically stimulated, seismically active fractured rock environments. We look for an advanced and proven expertise in borehole temperature data analysis, thermal properties of rocks, and heat and mass transfer modelling. Expertise on induced seismicity and hydrogeological studies of crystalline bedrock and familiarity of geothermal hard rock reservoirs will be an asset. We also value good scientific and interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to produce scientific text efficiently.Postdoctoral training at the University of Helsinki takes place in a rich scholarly environment involving interaction with faculty, staff scientists, postdocs, and students of the Department of the Geosciences and Geography.

We seek for a postdoctoral researcher in hydrogeochemistry to join our multidisciplinary team to conduct research in bedrock groundwater and dissolved gases to address questions related to the Earth’s deep hydrological cycle and origin and evolution of crustal gases, particularly hydrogen. You will mainly be working in the Research Council of Finland funded project DAFNE-22: Deep life, Hydrogeology and Geothermics, with a focus on hydraulically stimulated, seismically active fractured rock environments. We look for an advanced and proven expertise in low-temperature geochemistry, hydrogeology, and isotope systems. Expertise in hydrogeochemical sampling, data analysis, modelling and familiarity with geothermal hard rock reservoir will be an asset. We also value good scientific and interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to produce scientific text efficiently.

We seek to attract a motivated individual to join our team as a postdoctoral researcher in paleomagnetism. This position offers an opportunity to conduct research in paleomagnetism and rock magnetism to address research questions in the Earth science, particularly supercontinent cycles. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to both paleomagnetic and environmental magnetic research and managing the Solid earth geophysics laboratory of the University of Helsinki. Supervision and mentoring of diverse graduate and undergraduate students will be expected in this role.

Postdoctoral training at University of Helsinki takes place in a rich scholarly environment involving interaction with faculty, staff scientists, postdocs, and students of the Department of the Geosciences and Geography. Applicants must have received the doctorate degree by the time of application. Preferred start date is August 1, 2024; other start dates are possible by mutual agreement. The appointment is for two years and there will be normal six-month trial period.