"Data Scientist at FinnGen"

Join Us as a Data Scientist at FinnGen!

Location: Helsinki, Finland

Project: FinnGen at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM)

Are you passionate about advanced data analytics and eager to make a meaningful impact in healthcare? Would you like to work in a multidisciplinary team of world-class experts to decipher large real-world health data? Join our team at FinnGen, one of the leading and largest health research projects globally, and be part of groundbreaking discoveries that can transform lives.

Why FinnGen?

At FinnGen, we work with comprehensive real-word health records and genomic data from hundreds of thousands of individuals participating in Finnish biobanks. Our mission is to improve health by exploring mechanisms of health and disease, with the aim to develop new therapies and evidence-driven improved clinical practices.

Our collaborative environment brings together top researchers from Finnish universities, hospitals, biobanks, and leading international pharmaceutical companies. Here, you’ll work daily alongside world-class scientists, clinicians, data specialists, and other professionals at both Helsinki and at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in Boston, MA, USA, as well as pharmaceutical industry R&D experts around the world.

Our work has a real relevance, and we work in the cross-roads of academia, leading clinical institutions, and pharmaceutical industry. Since 2017, FinnGen project has resulted in hundreds of highly impacting findings.

Your Role:

As a Data Scientist, you will play a critical role in:

• Supporting research work: Your primary role would be to support clinically oriented teams that work with the rich and multimodal longitudinal data in specific disease areas (including e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, pulmonary diseases, inflammatory bowel disease)
• Generating insights from decades of longitudinal health data: Real-world health data is extremely complex, rich, and multimodal. Before we can ask questions, we need to first understand how it behaves and how it is produced in complex health care processes.
• Statistical modelling: Depending on your previous competence, building advanced statistical, causal, and predictive models describing disease progression and treatment processes. You will have the support of leading clinical and methodology experts in the field.

What You Bring:

You can be at the start of your career or already advanced analytics professional. Helpful attitude, capability to deliver, and willingness to learn new and seek productive approaches are the key success factors in this role.

Must-Have Qualifications:

• Doctoral or master’s degree in a relevant field
• Strong statistical background with either R or Python, with the ability to work in both worlds.
• Experience with databases (SQL)
• We work with Linux in large secure computing environments. Fluency in Linux and knowledge of shell scripting is required.
• Good communication and presentation skills in English
• You enjoy teamwork with professionals of varied backgrounds (e.g. medical doctors, statisticians, biologists, lawyers)
• Independent problem-solving attitude combined with meticulous mindset in an environment that requires understanding both the big picture and attention to detail.

Additional assets:

• Work experience in data analytics with large datasets.
• Advanced statistical modelling understanding and experience (e.g. multivariable regression modelling, advanced survival analysis, machine learning, time-series analysis, causal inference)
• Previous work experience with sensitive personal data
• Previous experience in pharmaceutical, medical technology, or hospital domain
• Experience with cloud computing infrastructures and high-performance computing
• Possibility to start work in Finland shortly

An exceptional candidate might have, for example:

• Analytic work experience with real-world secondary health data or understanding of the Finnish health data and biobank environment
• Previous experience in research & development organization, or in a professional software development
• Experience with deep learning frameworks

What We Offer:

• Innovative Projects: Work on high-impact health research and decades of extensive real-word health data using the latest analytic and AI methods in an international team of academic and industry experts
• Dynamic Environment: Join a vibrant and inclusive team of nearly 300 international professionals dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes through science and technology.
• Professional Growth: Gain invaluable experience and exposure to diverse technologies, complex real-world health data, and latest developments in the field of health data science and pharmaceutical research.
• Proven Team Culture: Join a highly collaborative team with an established track record of successful delivery, where knowledge sharing and mutual support drive our collective success.
• Flexible working environment: Although you would be based primarily in Helsinki, Meilahti university hospital campus, we work in international teams across continents and time-zones, and provide flexible options for part-time remote working

The position offers a contract until August 31, 2027, with a 6-month trial period. Salary is based on the University of Helsinki's salary system (YPJ), considering qualifications, experience, and performance. The university provides comprehensive benefits, including occupational health care, sports facilities, and professional development.

To apply, submit a single PDF including a short CV and a one-page cover letter. Please submit your application via the University of Helsinki Recruitment System by clicking the 'Apply now' button. If you need support with the recruitment system, please contact recruitment@helsinki.fi. Applications are due by September 14, 2025.

More information on FIMM is available here and on the FinnGen project here. A diverse and equitable study and work culture is important to us. That is why we do our best to promote an inclusive university community. We encourage all qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for our positions.