Postdoctoral researchers in the MSCA COFUND NOVEL Postdoctoral Programme, University of Eastern Finland

The University of Eastern Finland (UEF) is one of the largest multidisciplinary universities in Finland. We offer education in nearly 100 major subjects, and we are home to approximately 15,500 students and 2,700 members of staff. In the international rankings, we are ranked among the leading universities in the world. www.uef.fi/en

The Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology are now looking for highly motivated and talented

Postdoctoral Researchers

to join us in the NOVEL Postdoctoral Programme co-funded by the Marie-Skłodowska-Curie-Actions COFUND of the EU funding programme Horizon Europe.

About the job

We have five (5) position open for three-year (36 months) postdoctoral researcher positions at the University of Eastern Finland’s Kuopio campus in the research areas of Prevention & Care and Methods & Data. The positions are fully funded by the programme. Please see NOVEL’s website for a description of the research areas.

Postdoctoral researchers will be working either at the A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences or School of Computing. All positions are located at the University of Eastern Finland’s Kuopio campus in Kuopio, Finland. Recruited researchers will live and carry out their research activities in Kuopio.

Postdoctoral positions are available in two research areas: Prevention & Care and Methods & Data. These research areas focus on understanding genetic, lifestyle, and environmental contributions to brain disorders, uncovering mechanistic pathways, and identifying therapeutic targets and disease predicting biomarkers. We develop and apply human-based disease models to advance understanding of brain disorders. By integrating iPSC-derived systems, clinical brain samples, and novel cellular models with cutting-edge methodologies—including electrophysiology, single-cell technologies, and multi-omics—we aim to bridge preclinical findings with clinical applications. Through advanced computational approaches, machine learning, and AI-driven neuroinformatics, we extract meaningful patterns from omics, imaging, electrophysiology, and behavioural data.

Please note that to be able to apply, you need to contact a research group leader to ensure technical fit with a chosen research group and ask for a Letter of Support. Please, familiarize yourself with the available host research groups on the NOVEL website and read instructions carefully from the Guide for Applicants (available here).

About the NOVEL MSCA Postodoctoral Programme

The NOVEL MSCA Postdoctoral Programme is a unique postdoctoral programme hosted in the international and multidisciplinary research environment of the University of Eastern Finland (UEF). NOVEL pioneers merging diverse socio-cultural and scientific expertise to forge new brain health solutions, energizing regional, national and global development. NOVEL research groups have expertise in neuroscience, data science, innovation management, health economics and social and legal studies.

NOVEL addresses the need for novel research and innovation to address brain health challenges that impact individuals and society worldwide. Research is needed to support early prediction, personalized treatments, advancements in methods and technologies, and the development of responsible innovation and ethical approaches. NOVEL aspires to be a global benchmark in brain health research training. The aim of the Programme is to offer cutting-edge research, research training and career development for talented researchers of any nationality in fields associated with brain health.

NOVEL thrives on cooperation with companies, health organizations, patient groups, and universities, offering a rich training blend through compulsory non-academic secondments, mentoring, and dynamic summer schools.

The Programme is carried out within 3 faculties and 18 research groups of the University of Eastern Finland and in collaboration with partners committed to jointly supervising and providing secondment opportunities for the postdoctoral researchers. The Programme will employ altogether 14 postdoctoral researchers.

NOVEL is hosted by the multidisciplinary Neuroscience Research Community (NEURO RC) at the University of Eastern Finland. Combined with strong collaboration with intersectoral partners and the Kuopio innovation ecosystem with background in health, NOVEL provides excellent surroundings for interdisciplinary brain health research.

What we offer

• Cutting-edge research, research training and career development for postdoctoral researchers in fields associated with brain health. We have 5 positions open in the research areas of Prevention & Care and Methods & Data.
• An inspiring international and interdisciplinary research atmosphere in well-established research units, world-class guidance, cutting-edge infrastructures and mandatory intersectoral secondment opportunities with non-academic partners, with the opportunity for additional secondments and visits with academic and non-academic partners.
• During the mandatory intersectoral secondments (2-6 months), partner organisations will provide you with similar level working conditions ensured by being UEF employees.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• Wide variety of support services at UEF are at your disposal, allowing you to focus on your research. Support for international staff is provided by the University of Eastern Finland.
• You will receive a competitive salary paid monthly, which includes paid leave and an additional holiday bonus in the summer. UEF Staff benefits are also available.
• You will receive university occupational health insurance. The Finnish government also provides benefits to residents and their families, for example access to the national healthcare system and high-quality, affordable childcare and school services.
• Finland has been chosen as the Happiest Country in the World, with a high quality of life, safety, excellent education system, and competitive economy. Read more about working and living in Kuopio.

Who are you?

We are looking for excellent candidates that meet the following criteria:

• Doctorate degree: The applicant must have a doctoral degree (or equivalent, incl. a research-based thesis) by the end of the call.
• Experience: The applicant should have less than 7 years of research experience (full-time equivalent research work at a university or research institution, assessed from the date when the PhD study right ended)
• MSCA mobility requirements: The Applicant should fulfil the mobility requirement of the MSCA actions: at the date of the call deadline, the applicant must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies) in the country of their host organization (Finland) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline (February 28, 2026). Compulsory national service, short stays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee

  Research Areas & Fields of Study involved in the position

  • Computing in Mathematics, Natural Science, Engineering & Medicine
  • Environmental Science
  • Health Psychology
  • Health Science
  • Nursing Science