Title
4-5 Postdoc & PhD student positions in Computational Biophysics (Helsinki, Finland)
Location
Center of Excellence in Biological Barrier Mechanics & Disease, Biological Physics Group, University of Helsinki, Finland
Description
We have 4-5 positions for postdoctoral scientists and PhD students in computational biophysics/biological physics, and related fields
Eligibility. We are looking for outstanding candidates with experience in computer simulations, and who have recently obtained PhD (postdoc positions) or MSc (PhD student positions) degrees in fields of biological physics, biophysics, soft matter and stat mech, chemistry, machine learning, or related fields. Experience with molecular dynamics simulations (with GROMACS, NAMD, etc.) and other simulation techniques (DFT, QM/MM, DPD, SRD, LB, etc.) on atomistic and coarse-grained levels is considered an asset. Applicants with an enthusiasm to develop large-scale physics-based (coarse-grained) cellular models are particularly encouraged to apply.
Working Environment. The postdocs and PhD students will be part of the computational biophysics group directed by Ilpo Vattulainen (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/biophysics). The team has ~20 members. The team specializes in multi-scale simulations using a wide arsenal of techniques ranging from QM to atomistic and coarse-grained simulations, large-scale continuum modeling, and the use of AI/ML techniques. The working environment is relaxed and the successful candidate will have an opportunity to influence the project content. The group has been granted funding by, e.g., ERC, Human Frontier Science Program, EU, Academy of Finland, etc. Collaborations with experimental teams are strong and the projects will be linked to the Center of Excellence in Biological Barrier Mechanics & Disease (https://barrierforce.utu.fi/) (funded between 2022-2029), where the Vattulainen group joins forces with 4 top-notch experimental teams to reveal how cell layers perform their protective functions and how these are disrupted in disease.
Funding/Salary. The gross salary will be about 3500-4300 EUR/month for postdocs, and about 2400-3300 EUR/month for PhD students (depending on experience).
Projects. The projects will focus on investigations of large-scale cell layers linked to atomistic/molecular studies of membrane-associated receptor/protein complexes with an objective to understand how they function in native conditions, how and why their activation and function is disrupted, and how these can be rectified. The projects relate to numerous diseases such as ARDS, neurodegenerative disorders, and diabetes. The research is strongly coupled to collaborations with several first-class experimental teams. Detailed project description will be given during the interviews.
Computing Resources. Successful candidates will have access to outstanding supercomputing resources that include the national center (14 petaflops, www.csc.fi) and the pre-exascale computing capacity LUMI (550 petaflops, https://www.lumi-supercomputer.eu/), which is currently the most powerful supercomputer globally.
Background. Examples of recent papers published by our group:
P. C. Casarotto et al., Cell 184, 1299 (2021).
P. C. T. Souza et al., Nature Methods 18, 382 (2021).
S. I. Salomaa et al., Current Biology 31, 4956 (2021).
S. Wilmes et al., Science 367, 643 (2020).
T. Gutmann et al., Journal of Cell Biology 219, e201907210 (2020).
How to Apply
Applications. Applications that include CV, list of publications, and a description of research interests should be sent as a single PDF file to Ilpo.Vattulainen@helsinki.fi. Recommendation letters are not necessary at this stage.
Deadline. February 07, 2022. However, applications are considered during the interview process until the positions have been filled. Applicants short-listed for the interviews & positions will be contacted personally.
Science and Life in Helsinki. Finland is one of the safest countries world-wide. We enjoy beautiful nature and the cleanest air in the world. Helsinki is an international city with lots of cultural and recreation activities, and very good services for families and children, including an excellent health care and kindergarten system. Everyone in our international team has the right to telecommute. Science-wise, Univ Helsinki is in top-100 globally. Any questions? Please contact us!
Contact:
Prof. Ilpo Vattulainen (Ilpo.Vattulainen@helsinki.fi)
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Finland
Website of our group: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/biophysics
Website of the CoE: https://barrierforce.utu.fi/