7 Nov 2025
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
University of Helsinki- Department
MIBS- Research Field
Biological sciences » Other- Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)- Positions
PhD Positions- Country
Finland- Application Deadline
6 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (UTC)- Type of Contract
Temporary- Job Status
Full-time- Offer Starting Date
1 Sep 2026- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Horizon Europe - MSCA- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
Project description. There are no accurate models for how trimeric autotransporters (TAAs) bind host effectors; all ofthe studies so far have involved mutagenesis and foot-printing. We aim to rectify this gap. AlphaFold does a poor job of modelling these structures and complexes (1) because they have unusual sequences and (2) because they aren’tglobular.
The project involves studying TAAs from ESKAPE pathogens (eg Acinetobacter)to determine how they bind host effectors (collagen, laminin etc) via cryoEM and structural EPR spectroscopy (with Christos Pliotas, University of Manchester). The student will then connect this information to strain and variant differences/changes in virulence, as this will lead to improvements in diagnostics. We will the extend this work to model how invasins, related proteins, from at least one ESKAPE pathogen studied in StraDiVarious (K. pneumoniae and E. cloacae) bind their targets. Finally, we will model how the inside-out barrels insert into the membrane by studying the (BAM-invasin complex), building on work by our collaborator (Dirk Linke, University of Oslo). The project will allow both academic and industry secondments, using state of the art structural biology equipment.
Methods will include protein expression and purification of membrane proteins, as well as EPR spectroscopy (in Manchester) and cryoEM, both locally and on secondment. Modelling the complex with the latest tools and the validation of those models through mutagenesis will also be a key part of the techniques used.
Where to apply
- Website
- https://www.stradivarious.eu/apply
Requirements
- Research Field
- Biological sciences » Other
- Education Level
- Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Mandatory requirements: The candidate must have
- A Master’s degree or equivalent in Structural Biology, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Biochemistry or related fields at the time of admittance to the programme
- Documented experience in at least one of the following areas: protein biochemistry, computational modelling, electron microscopy
Specific Requirements
Desirable qualifications: In addition, it is an advantage if the candidate has
- A good theoretical understanding of magnetic resonance or structural biology
- Documented experience with protein expression and purification
- Documented experience in cryo-EM
Personal skills:
We are an international team of researchers from different scientific and cultural backgrounds. Therefore, the ideal PhD candidate should have:
- Good language and communication skills
- The ability to work in interdisciplinary teams
- The ability to work independently on complex projects (from planning and execution to results presentation)
Qualification requirements. In addition to the eligibility criteria (link to heading below), candidates admitted to a PhD programme at University of Helsinki must fulfil these requirements: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/admissions-and-education/apply-doctoral-programmes/eligilibity-doctoral-programmes
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Level
- Good
- Research Field
- Biological sciences » Biological engineering
Additional Information
Eligibility criteria
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must not have been awarded a doctorate previously.
- Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the recruiting institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the date of recruitment. See: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks ‘What does the funding cover’
- Candidates must have a high level of English proficiency (demonstrated eg by TOEFL, IELTS certification) or by having been educated in an English-speaking country to age 18.
- Candidates must meet all eligibility criteria as outlined in the individual research project descriptions.
- Candidates must meet the entry requirements of the institution to which they apply.
Additional comments
The following items will be submitted in separately in the application form.
- We suggest you apply for up to 3 PhD positions in StraDiVarious. If you do, list two other choices in order of preference. (You do not need to provide further information.)
- Details of 2 referees (names, contact details) who can provide additional information about your qualifications.
- Official Academic Record - Bachelor's and Master’s Certificates and Transcripts.
- We expect that, since a Master’s Degree is required, you will either have completed it at the time of application, or will do so with the requisite grades and be able to provide a degree certificate by July 1st, 2026. In such a case, acceptance is conditional.
- Demonstration of English-language proficiency (official certificates from language tests, or based on your schooling and where you grew up).
- If we suspect unreported use of AI-generated text, we reserve the right to check using AI-text detection tools and summarily reject the application. This is consistent with our no-tolerance policy towards plagiarism.
- Website for additional job details
https://www.stradivarious.eu/
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- University of Helsinki - Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences
- Country
- Finland
- Geofield
Contact
- City
Helsinki- Website
https://www.stradivarious.eu/- Street
Viikinkaari 9 C
Stradivarious-admin@helsinki.fi
adrian.goldman@helsinki.fi
STATUS: EXPIRED
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