Postdoctoral researcher – Bioinformatics, Cell Adhesion and Cancer Group, Turku Bioscience Centre

We invite applications for a fixed-term postdoctoral researcher position in bioinformatics to join a highly interdisciplinary cancer research environment at Turku Bioscience, University of Turku.

The successful candidate will join the Cell Adhesion and Cancer Group (https://ivaskalab.utu.fi), led by Professor Johanna Ivaska, where they will play a central role in analysing and integrating different omics-based biological datasets generated within the group. A key aim of the position is to translate data into biological insight—formulating testable hypotheses in close collaboration with experimental scientists—and to develop, optimise, and streamline analytical pipelines, including tools that are accessible to biologists without prior bioinformatics or coding expertise.

The Cell Adhesion and Cancer group consists of 18 international researchers based in Turku, including postdoctoral researchers, PhD and Master’s students, technicians, and research support staff. We employ a broad and evolving range of experimental approaches and strongly support skill development, cross-disciplinary learning, and scientific independence. Group members are encouraged to expand their expertise, contribute intellectually to project design, and actively shape the direction of their research within a collaborative and supportive environment.

The candidate will focus on specific objectives within a recently awarded ERC Advanced Grant, BorderControl, working closely with team members across disciplines. BorderControl seeks to define the molecular signals that enable cancer cells to cross physiological tissue borders that normally maintain tissue architecture and homeostasis. The project focuses on spatially profiling the tumour–stroma interface to identify receptor–ligand interactions regulating invasion. In addition, innovative approaches—including microfluidics-based imaging, single-cell and spatial profiling (e.g. scRNA-seq, mass cytometry, spatial transcriptomics), synthetic biology, colour-barcoded high-throughput screening, and dynamically tuneable multicellular migration platforms—are being used to capture and characterise cancer cell border-crossing events. The clinical relevance of these discoveries will be assessed using patient material and designer tissue microarrays to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutically actionable targets, in close collaboration with clinicians and external experts.

You can read more about us and our research and funding at https://Ivaskalab.utu.fi.

We are seeking a bioinformatician who enjoys working at the interface of computation and experimentation. Prior wet-lab experience is considered an asset, as it can facilitate communication and collaboration with experimental researchers, but it is not a requirement.

Key responsibilities include:

• developing and applying machine learning methods to biomedical questions
• analysing, modelling and integrating differentomics datasets (for example spatial transcriptomics (Visium HD and Xenium), scRNAseq, bulk RNAseq, proteomics, multiplex immunohistochemistry and publicly available dataset.
• analysing samples from patient cohorts including microscopy images
• keeping up with rapidly evolving methods in the field
• collaborating with biomedical researchers to assess the biological and medical significance of findings
• publishing research results in international scientific journals and presenting at conferences
• participating in national and international collaboration networks

This position offers the opportunity to deepen your expertise at the interface of bioinformatics and cancer biology. Additionally, we collaborate with clinicians and other academic groups, which underscores the need for excellent communication skills, adaptability and initiative to apply rapidly developing methods to further the project goals.

Competence requirements

• a doctoral degree in bioinformatics, computer science, data science, or another relevant field. Biologists who have trained themselves in bioinformatics will also be considered. Candidates in the final stages of their doctoral studies will also be considered.
• experience in analysing distinct biological datasets (e.g. genomics, transcriptomics, or proteomics)
• programming skills (e.g. R, Python)
• ability to work both independently and in collaboration within a multidisciplinary research environment
• initiative and self-direction
• excellent communication skills
• good spoken and written English

The following skills are considered an advantage:

• experience in machine learning, deep learning, or method development in bioinformatics
• experience in cell biology
• relevant publications in peer-reviewed journals or on a pre-print server such as bioRxiv
• experience in advanced light microscopy and image analysis

The qualifications for the positions are specified in the University of Turku Rules of Procedure. A person selected for the position of postdoctoral researcher is required to have a doctoral degree and the ability to do independent scientific work. In case the doctoral studies are yet not finished, then the job title will be first a project researcher for a short period of time. A project researcher must have a Master degree.

Our selection criteria are based on the principle of finding not only the most qualified but also the most suitable candidate for the job. In practice, this means that among education, publications and working experience also personal qualities, communication skills, motivation, and other relevant criteria will be considered.