[Job-offers-cs] Postdoctoral Researcher in Algorithms and Computational Biology, University of Helsinki

[Pekka Orponen]

University of Helsinki, Department of Computer Science of Faculty of 
Science invites applications for a

*POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN ALGORITHMS AND COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY

*starting from September 2025, or as agreed. The Postdoctoral Researcher 
will be a full-time contract for the maximum duration of 2 years.

*Position Description

*The successful candidate will work within the research project 
“Structural correctness in metagenomics assembly” funded by the Research 
Council of Finland in the research group of University Lecturer Leena 
Salmela. We develop models, algorithms and data structures for high 
throughput sequencing data with a main emphasis on genome assembly. The 
research group is part of the Algorithmic Bioinformatics lab at 
University of Helsinki.

The amount of sequencing data has increased enormously during the last 
decade. To analyze the data efficiently, it needs to be assembled to 
genomes or represented in a compact manner. However, current tools for 
assembly and compaction of sequencing data produce sequences with no 
estimate of their correctness which severely hampers accurate estimation 
of the correctness of downstream analysis. In this project we will 
develop novel models for estimating the correctness of genome and 
metagenome assembly and algorithms and data structures for computing 
such correctness estimates.

The postdoctoral researcher is expected to:

  * advance the research project together with the project team
  * publish your findings in international scientific journals and
    international scientific conferences
  * help in supervising student(s) working in the project


Your work may also include teaching duties (at most 5-10% of annual 
working time).

*Requirements And Eligibility Criteria

*The Postdoctoral Researcher should have a PhD degree in computer 
science or bioinformatics (or related fields) with an emphasis on 
computational sciences and have experience in algorithm development. 
Experience in processing of high-throughput sequencing data is an 
advantage. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English 
are needed. You should have a strong interest and motivation for 
applying algorithmic discoveries in biology and possess the ability to 
carry out independent research.

*Salary And Benefits

*The starting salary of the doctoral researcher will be ca. 3800-4150 
euros/month, depending on the appointees’ qualifications and experience. 
The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its 
employees, including occupational health care, support in access to high 
quality sports facilities, and vast opportunities for professional 
development.

Finland is a member of EU, has high quality free schooling (also in 
English), generous family benefits and healthcare, and was recently 
ranked as the happiest country in the world. Finland and the Helsinki 
region possess top expertise in sciences in terms of a vibrant talent 
pool, leading research, strong support services and functioning 
collaboration networks. For more information about working at the 
University of Helsinki and living in Finland, please see 
https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers .

A diverse and equitable study and work culture is important to us. That 
is why we do our best to promote an inclusive university community. We 
encourage all qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for 
our positions. Click this link to read about accessibility and 
inclusivity at our university.

*How To Apply

*Please submit your application, which includes the following documents 
in English:

  * A curriculum vitae including a list of publications.
  * Description of research experience (1-2 pages)
  * Names and contact information of two referees, who are willing to
    provide reference letters upon request.
  * Copy of a PhD degree certificate


*External applicants*, please submit your application through the 
University of Helsinki´s recruitment system via the Apply Now button.

*Applicants who have a helsinki.fi username and a valid 
employment/grant/visitor contract at the University of Helsinki*are 
requested to submit their application via the Employee login button.

The deadline for submitting applications is August 15th, 2025 (at 23:59 
UTC + 3).

*More information?

*For questions project and position related questions, please contact

  * University Lecturer Leena Salmela leena.salmela at helsinki.fi


For more information on the research group and publications, see

  * https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/algorithmic-bioinformatics-lab/groups/algorithms-for-biological-sequencing-data
  * https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/algorithmic-bioinformatics-lab


If you need support with the recruitment system, please contact HR 
Services (hr-kumpula(at)helsinki.fi).

The Department of Computer Science is a leading unit in Finland in its 
area and responsible for the teaching and research in computer science 
at the University of Helsinki. The main research fields at the 
department are artificial intelligence, big data frameworks, 
bioinformatics, data analysis, data science, discrete and machine 
learning algorithms, distributed, intelligent, and interactive systems, 
networks, security, and software and database systems. The department 
has extensive international collaboration with companies and 
universities. Within teaching, the department’s professors and staff are 
in charge of the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Programmes in 
Computer Science, as well as the separate Master’s Programme in Data 
Science, in which other departments also participate.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://list.aalto.fi/pipermail/job-offers-cs/attachments/20250712/a008b400/attachment-0001.htm>