"Research Technician (Laboratory & Project Operations) – Integrative Evolutionary Cell Biology"

University of Helsinki – Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) / Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences.

The research group of Assoc. Prof. Claudius Kratochwil at the University of Helsinki (www.intevobio.fi) invites applications for a Research Technician to support an ERC-funded project in integrative evolutionary cell biology. Our research combines single-cell sequencing, high-throughput cellular phenotyping, and comparative developmental approaches to understand how cellular programs evolve.

This position is ideal for a person who enjoys hands-on lab work and likes to keep a complex project running smoothly through everyday organization and coordination.

The preferred start date is between 1 May 2026 and 1 January 2027, or upon agreement. The position is full-time and fixed-term for two years, with a possibility for extension (up to three years). A six-month probationary period will be applied (standard in Finnish university employment contracts).

Tasks

The Research Technician will:

• Perform and support routine wet-lab work (sample prep, buffers/reagents, basic molecular biology workflows, genotyping support as applicable)
• Assist with sample logistics for single-cell workflows (dissociation support, labeling, plate/sample tracking, QC)
• Maintain lab inventories, orders, and documentation; ensure compliance with safety and good lab practices
• Coordinate day-to-day organizational tasks: scheduling shared equipment, organizing shipments, booking service time, and helping plan experiments with the team
• Support data and sample metadata organization (sample sheets, file structure, basic records)
• Contribute to maintaining a well-functioning lab environment (shared protocols, onboarding support for new members, support with administration)

The exact task balance will be adjusted based on your skills and the needs of the project.

Requirements

• Suitable degree for the position (e.g., BSc/MSc in biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or equivalent relevant training/experience)
• Practical laboratory experience and careful working style
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks reliably
• Good communication skills in English; Finnish is an advantage but not required

Merits (not required)

• Experience with cell/tissue handling, dissociation workflows, or flow cytometry support
• Experience with fish or aquatic model husbandry coordination (breeding/sampling schedules)
• Familiarity with high-throughput workflows
• Basic skills in data handling (Excel/CSV hygiene; R/Python basics) and reproducible documentation

What we offer

• A friendly, international research environment with high-quality infrastructure
• Training opportunities and professional development
• Comprehensive employee benefits (occupational health care, sports facilities, etc.)
• Support for international staff relocating to Finland

Salary

The salary is based on the job requirement scheme for specialist and support staff in the salary system of Finnish universities, plus a personal performance component. The typical starting gross salary for comparable UH laboratory/research technician roles is approximately €2,600–€3,200/month (depending on duties and experience).

How to apply

Please submit your application via the University of Helsinki Recruitment System using the “Apply now” link. The position will remain open until 30. April 2026 (23:59 EET/EEST), or until a suitable candidate is found.

Please attach (PDF format):

1. Motivation letter (max 1 page): your lab experience + how you handle day-to-day organization
2. CV (max 2–3 pages)
3. Contact details of 1–2 referees

We expect applications to reflect the applicant’s own thinking and writing.

Further information

• About the project: Claudius Kratochwil, claudius.kratochwil@helsinki.fi
• About the recruitment system: recruitment@helsinki.fi
• About the Integrative Evolutionary Biology (IEB) lab: www.intevobio.fi