"Researcher (postdoctoral level) in Cell Biology, 1.4.2026–31.08.2028"

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 Researcher (postdoctoral level) in Cell Biology for the period 1.4.2026–31.08.2028. The position is part of the newly established Research Council of Finland funded Centre of Excellence in Immune–Endothelial Interfaces (IMMENs; 2026–2033). IMMENs aims to understand how local immune responses are regulated at the lymphatic endothelium–immune cell interface, and to develop new methods and tools to study these interactions.

The appointment is full-time and located in the Cell Fate Lab, led by Professor Cecilia Sahlgren at the Biochemistry and Cell Biology unit, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University (Turku, Finland).

Research environment (IMMENs Centre of Excellence)

IMMENs is composed of complementary research groups covering lymphatic biology, leukocyte guidance, cellular crosstalk and organ-on-chip technologies, and advanced imaging and image analysis of cell migration. The Centre of Excellence focuses on mechanistic understanding in healthy and diseased states and on tool development enabling new biology.

PROFILE AND TASKS

The successful candidate will study how immune cells and cancer cells interact with lymphatic endothelium and will collaborate closely across the IMMENs consortium.

The tasks performed by a researcher include conducting research independently, contributing to project leadership, and supporting funding activities. The tasks are specified below.

Tasks

• Conduct high-impact experimental research on interactions between immune cells, cancer cells, and lymphatic endothelial cells, including mechanistic studies of cell–cell communication.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, maintain rigorous documentation, and contribute to dissemination through publications, conferences, and consortium activities.
• Contribute to a vibrant research environment by participating in seminars, collaborations, and mentoring of students/junior researchers as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATION

Essential qualifications

• Doctoral degree in cell biology, immunology, cancer biology or vascular/lymphatic biology or a relevant field.
• Demonstrate abstract thinking as well as the potential to independently develop and pursue scientific projects in the fields relevant for this call.
• Demonstrated experience of conducting biomedical experiments; ability to conduct and design robust experiments with quantitative readouts.
• Prior experience or interest in interdisciplinary collaboration spanning biology and bioengineering.
• Fluent communication and writing skills in English

The applications will be assessed as follows:

• Research competence (80%), including academic merits and scholarly publications in the relevant scientific field, previous participation in research projects and requested practical skills.
• Interactive competence (20%), including community activities, administrative experience, 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 is determined by the collective agreement system of Finnish universities, aligning with the research personnel category. The requirement levels of the researcher position are 5-6. In addition, a salary component based on personal performance is paid. The average monthly salary, depending on previous experience and skills, is around 3600 – 4500 euros per month at the beginning of the employment.

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 Åbo Akademi University’s recruitment system no later than 23.2.2026 at 15:00 (EET, Finnish time zone). Åbo Akademi University uses the Laura recruitment tool for electronic applications, please see guidelines on the electronic application.

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

1. A cover letter describing your scientific background, research interests, motivation for the assignment, and relevant international collaboration (max 2 pages).
2. A CV (according to Finnish National Board on Research Integrity recommendations, TENK) including a full list of publications.
3. Degree certificate(s).
4. Names and contact details of at least two reference persons.

BENEFITS

Join our dynamic and innovative international community by seizing the opportunity 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 Professor Cecilia Sahlgren (cecilia.sahlgren@abo.fi) and in questions concerning the recruitment process HR Specialist Sabina Ringvall (sabina.ringvall@abo.fi).

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