Postdoctoral researcher in microbiology

Tiivistelmä työpaikkailmoituksesta: The University of Helsinki is hiring a postdoctoral researcher in microbiology for the AMaRONE One Health project on a fixed-term contract from January 2027 to December 2028 at the Viikki campus in Helsinki, Finland. The position involves developing and applying bioinformatic methods, performing molecular microbiology experiments to validate AMR genes and mobility, publishing findings, and co-supervising PhD and MSc students. Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant life-science field, have a strong publication record, be able to work independently and collaboratively in an international environment, and have excellent English communication skills. The starting salary will be approximately 3600 euros per month and the role offers access to modern labs, sequencing and computational infrastructure, career development support, and international collaboration opportunities. Tämä tiivistelmä on luotu tekoälyn avulla. The Department of Microbiology at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry invites applications for a POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN MICROBIOLOGY . The University of Helsinki invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher position for a fixed-term contract starting in January 2027 and ending in December 2028. The position is located at the Department of Microbiology on the Viikki campus in Helsinki, Finland. The successful candidate will join the research group led by University Lecturer Antti Karkman. A six-month trial period applies. We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the AMaRONE project (Risks and Mitigation of Antimicrobial Resistance Across One Health Sectors), funded by the Research Council of Finland. The project investigates antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across the human-animal-environment interface and combines environmental microbiology, bioinformatics, molecular biology, and One Health approaches to identify emerging resistance threats and develop strategies for their mitigation. Project description Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across human, animal, and environmental reservoirs remains a major One Health challenge arising from the interconnectedness and complex interactions among these sectors. Resistant bacteria and resistance genes can move between environments, while resistance evolution and transmission can introduce novel genes or clinically relevant hosts into the global AMR pool. To slow the spread of resistance, preserve antimicrobial efficacy, and protect public health, there is a pressing need for approaches that move beyond surveillance towards proactive mitigation. AMaRONE addresses this challenge by identifying novel AMR genes of greatest concern from environmental microbial communities, validating their resistance phenotypes and mobility through laboratory experiments, and developing preventive mitigation strategies that integrate computational predictions with experimental validation. The successful candidate will have substantial freedom to shape the scientific direction of their work within the broader objectives of the project. Research environment The Research group investigates the ecology, evolution, and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in environmental and One Health contexts. The group combines large-scale sequencing, bioinformatics, microbial cultivation, and molecular biology approaches and collaborates extensively with national and international partners. The position provides access to state-of-the-art microbiology laboratories, sequencing infrastructure, and high-performance computing resources at the University of Helsinki. The candidate will also have opportunities for collaboration with national and international project partners. Responsibilities We welcome applicants with expertise in computational microbiology, bioinformatics, molecular microbiology, or combinations thereof. Depending on the successful candidate's expertise and interests, the project can be tailored towards computational analyses, laboratory-based validation experiments, or an integrated approach combining both. The work may involve: Developing and applying bioinformatic approaches to identify and prioritize novel antimicrobial resistance genes from environmental metagenomic datasets Designing and conducting molecular microbiology experiments to validate resistance phenotypes, mobility, and mitigation strategies of prioritized AMR genes Communicating research findings through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at international scientific conferences Co-supervising PhD and MSc students working within the project Contributing to the development of new research directions and participating in grant applications Qualifications We are looking for a candidate who: Holds a PhD degree in microbiology, bioinformatics, molecular biology, or another relevant field of life sciences Has a strong publication record relative to career stage and demonstrated scientific initiative Is able to work independently and coll