Doctoral Researcher (PhD) in Protein Synthesis

Tiivistelmä työpaikkailmoituksesta: A fully funded doctoral researcher (PhD) position in protein synthesis is available at the University of Helsinki Viikki Campus, starting January 2027 and funded for 44 months. The research project focuses on discovering and repurposing protein synthesis inhibitors using cellular and chemical biology, cell-free protein synthesis, cryoEM, gene editing and high-throughput screening. Applicants should have or be completing a Master’s degree in biology, biochemistry, pharmacy or a related field and excellent English, and the successful candidate will be supervised by Principal Investigator Sarah O’Keefe with co-supervision by Brendan Battersby. The starting gross monthly salary is around 2500–2700 EUR and applications must be submitted via the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system by 13 November 2026 with the required documents. Tämä tiivistelmä on luotu tekoälyn avulla. Doctoral Researcher (PhD) in Protein Synthesis A fully funded PhD position is available to study protein synthesis in the lab of Sarah O’Keefe at the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland. About the Position We invite applications for a doctoral researcher position at the Viikki Campus in Helsinki, Finland. The doctoral researcher will work in the project Inhibiting Protein Synthesis – Old, New, Borrowed, Blue , funded by the Research Council of Finland. The doctoral researcher will be supervised by the Principal Investigator Sarah O’Keefe and co-supervised by Brendan Battersby. The successful candidate will complete an article-based PhD thesis and 30 ECTS credits of studies that are required for a PhD degree in Finland. The position is available and funded for 44 months from January 2027 , or as agreed. Project Description Proteins are key working molecules in all cells and their synthesis is an elaborate jigsaw puzzle. The early stages of protein synthesis include translation on ribosomes and the translocation of new polypeptides across, and their insertion into, membranes via translocons or insertases. New mechanistic insights are rapidly revolutionising our textbook models and bringing previously ‘undruggable’ protein synthesis machineries to the forefront of drug development. This doctoral project combines cellular and chemical biology, cell-free protein synthesis, cryoEM, gene editing and orthogonal high-throughput screening to discover breakthrough protein synthesis inhibitors and re-purpose existing ones. By expanding the chemical and biological space of protein synthesis and its inhibition, this research will develop new tools to probe how proteins are made and unlock new ways to treat human diseases. Why Work for Us? • A collaborative, innovative and inclusive research environment. • Training in cell culture, cell free protein synthesis, cryoEM, gene editing, high throughput screening, molecular biology, protein expression and purification, presenting, project management and writing. • Access to cutting-edge infrastructures, including working closely the local cryoEM Unit, High Throughput Biomedicine Unit and Finnish Genome Editing Centre. • International collaboration with Chemists and Computational Physicists (US, Japan and Finland). • International mobility including conference attendance and short-term research visits at the University of Leeds (UK) to use new approaches for cryoEM sample preparation. • As the first doctoral researcher in the lab, you will benefit from close, individualised mentorship and hands-on training from the Principal Investigator. You will also play a foundational role in shaping the lab’s core culture and scientific techniques as it grows. About the O’Keefe Lab We integrate biochemistry, cell biology, cryoEM and small molecules to unlock new mechanisms, methods and drug candidates of protein synthesis for the benefit of human health. To date, the Principal Investigator has discovered new protein synthesis inhibitors with anti-infective (bacteria, viruses, parasites) and anti-cancer utility, identified new mechanisms of protein biogenesis and visualised protein synthesis in action using cryoEM. Our research is highly interdisciplinary, drawing upon the Principal Investigator’s diverse career path in Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry and Cellular and Structural Biology in academic and industry settings. Supported by our collaborative network, we are committed to training and equipping lab members with the multidisciplinary skills needed to take their next career step. Selection Criteria • You are ambitious, collegial, proactive and motivated to pursue multidisciplinary science research. • You should have a Master’s degree (or be due to complete before the start date) in biology, biological sciences, biochemistry, pharmacy or another relevant field, including medicinal chemists with strong research experience and a commitment to switch fields. Competencies in cell culture, molecular biology, protein purification/ex