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THE ROLE OF miRNAs IN THE REGULATION OF OVARIAN FOLLICULOGENESIS
PhD student will carry out her/his doctoral research and training jointly at two degree-awarding universities and will be awarded a double PhD degree from the University of Helsinki (Finland) as the main host and the University of Tartu (Estonia) as the co-host.
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH UNITS
A successful candidate will be selected to work on a project in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (https://researchportal.helsinki.fi/en/organisations/department-of-obstet…) at the University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital and in the Faculty of Medicine at University of Tartu (https://meditsiiniteadused.ut.ee/en).
The University of Helsinki is Finland’s largest and oldest academic institution with more than 40,000 students and members of staff. It operates on four campuses in Helsinki and in 10 other localities in Finland. The University accommodates 11 faculties, several independent research-oriented institutes, multidisciplinary research networks and campus units.
The University of Tartu (UT) includes four faculties, four colleges and several regional development units. It has currently more than 13,000 students and 1,300 PhD students. The UT belongs to the top 2% of universities worldwide. UT is Estonia’s leading centre of research and training and the only medical university.
PROJECT
A PhD student will be funded through the Marie Curie ITN project MATER (https://sisu.ut.ee/mater).
The aim of the project is to identify miRNA species present in ovarian follicles at different developmental stages and further characterize their roles in the regulation of follicular growth. Special attention will be given a few selected miRNAs located in genes active in growing follicles. miRNAs will be first screened from donated human ovarian tissues and functional studies will be conducted in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) differentiated into ovarian granulosa cells. Through the project the student will acquire skills to culture and differentiate hPSC lines as well as to do standard molecular analyses for differentiated cells. Also, the project includes genetic manipulation of the cell lines.
ESR4 will mostly be hosted by the University of Helsinki, and will be seconded for a shorter period to the University of Tartu. The position also includes a training period in European company focusing on reproductive health.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
• Researchers can be of any nationality.
• There is no age limit.
• All researchers recruited in a Marie Sklodowska-Curie ITN must be ESRs. An ESR shall, at the time of recruitment by the host organisation, be in the first four years of their research career and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree. The four years start to count from the date when a researcher obtained the degree, which would formally entitle her/him to embark on a doctorate.
• Researchers are required to undertake transnational mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up their appointment.
• One general rule applies to the appointment of researchers: At the time of recruitment by the host beneficiary, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date. Note that the mobility rule applies to the beneficiary where the researcher is recruited, and not to beneficiaries to which the researcher is sent or seconded.
A successful PhD candidate should preferably have:
• Degree in biomedical or life sciences, bioinformatics, or a relevant other discipline;
• An outstanding record of undergraduate and master’s degree work;
• Highly motivated candidate with strong interest in developmental or stem cell biology and a demonstrable affinity with the project;
• Experience with cell culturing techniques or genome editing techniques;
• Proven proficiency in English, both written and orally;
• Strong writing and analytical skills;
• Good communication and organization skills;
• Ability to meet deadlines and complete a PhD thesis within the defined project time;
• Capacity to work both as an independent researcher and as part of a team;
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary context.
OFFER
We are offering one full time appointment (100%) as a PhD student for a period of 4 years, of which the first three years are covered by the Marie Curie ITN project and the fourth year by the hosting research institutes. The starting date can be negotiated. ESR4 will be awarded a PhD by the University of Helsinki and the University of Tartu.
INTERESTED?
Please submit your application through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the link Apply for the position. Applicants who are employees of the University of Helsinki are requested to submit their application via the SAP HR portal.
Please add in your application besides the required parts a copy of a recent academic publication or a recent paper or master thesis, as well as the names and contact details of two referees. The deadline for applications is 30.4.2020.
Candidates who make the shortlist will be invited for an interview. These may be conducted in person or via Skype.
For more information please contact Prof. Juha Tapanainen, juha.tapanainen(at)helsinki.fi or Prof. Andres Salumets, andres.salumets(at)ut.ee.
Due date
30.04.2020 23:59 EEST
