Head of Research in Bioscience, [contact details available in the full listing]

Åbo Akademi University is an internationally acknowledged research university with an extensive responsibility for providing education in Swedish in Finland. With its strong Nordic ties, Åbo Akademi University has an acclaimed and recognized position within research and education both nationally and internationally.

Åbo Akademi University invites applications for a fixed term position as Head of Research in Bioscience (Principle Investigator) with the task to establish a new research group at Turku Bioscience Centre. The employment can commence from 1 May, 2026 for a period of 5 years. The appointment is full-time and located at the Turku Bioscience Centre at the Faculty of Science and Engineering in Turku, Finland.

Turku Bioscience is a scientifically excellent Life Science Research Centre and Core Service unit of Åbo Akademi University and University of Turku.

PROFILE AND TASKS

We seek to appoint an excellent researcher in a field that aligns and synergises with the research interests of our department, including, but not limited to immunology, oncology, cell biology, neuroscience, computational biology and drug discovery. Candidates should use cutting-edge methods to study cellular processes that are biologically and medically relevant. Ideally, their research program would benefit from our high-end technology platforms and contribute to their future development through their research questions which extend also beyond the state-of-the-art in their field. The successful candidate should have an internationally visible research profile documented by excellent publications and success in securing third-party funding. Close collaboration with Turku Bioscience and the Faculty of Science and Engineering is expected as well as involvement in collaborative research projects and nationally-funded collaborative research programs, flagships and interdisciplinary centres.

The main tasks are specified below:

• Establish and manage their own research group and conduct high-level research in bioscience
• Collaborate actively with existing research groups within the Biocity Turku Campus and the broader academic community.
• Disseminate research through high-quality publications, conferences, and workshops.
• Contribute to a vibrant research environment by participating in seminars, collaborations, and mentoring.
• Raise external research funding from national and international providers
• Contribute to researcher training through supervision of PhD degrees

With the establishment of a new research group, the Head of research has an important task in participating in the development of the Turku Biocentre's activities, profile and strategy towards the set goals, both in the short and long term.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATION

According to the regulations on personnel (ÅAU board, 1.4.2022), a Head of Research should have a doctoral degree in a relevant field and research merits that correspond to the scientific merits of a ‘Docent’. In addition, the following qualifications apply:

Essential qualifications:

• An excellent academic track record in research at an internationally competitive standard exemplified by a strong publication record, including postdoctoral research experience obtained through a junior faculty position or fellowship or in a non-university context
• Experience in managing research projects
• Substantial research experience abroad and/or international collaborations
• Established track-record in acquisition of competitive funding.

Desired qualifications:

• Interest to engage in collaborative research projects and nationally-funded collaborative research programs, flagships and interdisciplinary centers
• A research program aligning with one or more of TBC core facilities with an outlook towards helping them develop and maintain their cutting-edge position(s) in their respective areas

The applications will be assessed as follows:

• Research competence (80%), including academic merits and scholarly publications in the relevant scientific field, relevance of the research plan, and previous participation in research projects.
• Interactive competence (20%), including community activities, administrative experience, managerial and co-operative skills, the ability to interact with the surrounding society, as well as international collaboration within the relevant research field.

The appointment will be based on an overall assessment of the applicant’s potential for development and competencies and in relation to the necessary qualities to carry out the tasks for the position successfully. The applicants may be invited to an interview.

SALARY AND CONDITIONS

The salary of a Head of Research is based on levels 6-7 of the job requirement levels for teaching and research staff. In addition, an individual salary component based on personal work performance is added to the salary. The job requirement component in this position is 3841,13-4428,24 €/month. The individual salary component ranges from a minimum of 6% to a maximum of 50% of the above-mentioned sum. Please see the salary chart for teaching and research personnel.

Researchers have a total working time of 1,612 hours per year. A trial period of six months applies to all new employees.

APPLICATION

Please submit your electronic application in the ÅAU recruitment system no later than 28.2.2026 at 15:00 (EET, Finnish time zone). Please see guidelines on the electronic application.

The application should include the following enclosures (in English):

• A CV (according to the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity recommendations, TENK: https://tenk.fi/en/advice-and-materials/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae) including a full list of publications and a list of third-party funding.
• Research plan in the research area (max 2 pages/concept).
• Degree certificate(s)
• Contact details of three reference persons with whom the candidate has had close professional cooperation (such as current/previous supervisor, another collaborator).

BENEFITS

Turku Bioscience (https://bioscience.fi/) is a scientifically excellent Life Science Research Centre and Core Service unit of Åbo Akademi University and the University of Turku. It provides open-access services for state-of-the-art technology platforms supported by the Biocenter Finland National Infrastructure Program and the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRIs). In addition, Finland has advanced biobanks offering the possibility to be at the forefront of personalized medicine. This effort is spearheaded by the FinnGen population cohort study which entails genome and longitudinal health data from 500,000 Finnish biobank donors, presented seamlessly alongside UK Biobank data in a user-friendly search database. Join our dynamic and innovative international community by seizing the opportunities we present.

As a member of the Åbo Akademi University staff, you will gain access to various competitive benefits. These include occupational health care services, state-of-the-art research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities and a multicultural and friendly work environment. To learn more about working at Åbo Akademi University please explore further information on our website. Finland is a great and safe environment, offering many excellent state-subsidized services, including affordable daycare and free schools, consistently ranked among the best in the world. For families, the city of Turku (http://www.turku.fi/en) offers language showers and pre-schooling in English. Subsidized private daycare centres also offer daycare in French, English or Russian. Moreover, the Turku International School (https://sites.utu.fi/tis/) provides basic and upper-secondary education in English.

Occupational health and insurance

We support the well-being of our staff by offering comprehensive preventive occupational health services and general medical care. In addition, all staff are covered by Åbo Akademi University’s employee travel and occupational accident insurance. All University staff also have pension coverage, with the University automatically deducting pension contributions from the monthly wages of each employee.

Sport services

The University offers fitness and wellbeing services. Staff can use the opportunities for gym and group exercise sessions and the other diverse fitness activities available on campus. Owned by all universities in Turku, CampusSport (https://www.campussport.fi/en), offers inexpensive fitness services at the campuses.

Holiday bonus

A holiday bonus is paid in connection with July’s salary or when the employment ends. The dimension of the holiday bonus is determined according to the Collective agreement for universities and increases in relation to the length of employment.

INFORMATION

For further information regarding the position, please contact Head of Research Eleanor Coffey, [contact details available in the full listing] and in questions concerning the recruitment process HR Partner Jenni Kronqvist [contact details available in the full listing].

Åbo Akademi University works for equal gender distribution and diversity across all personnel groups.

In its pursuit of academic excellence, ÅAU TBC is committed to equality of opportunity and to a proactive and inclusive approach, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture and values diversity.