Postdoctoral Researcher in the Field of Gene Regulation and Cancer

Faculty of Medicine, Barborič laboratory, invites applications for a position of

Postdoctoral Researcher

in the field of Gene Regulation by Cyclin-dependent Kinases and their Targeting in Cancer for a fixed-term. The position will be filled for a 2-year term starting at the earliest convenience.

Our mission

The lab's mission is to unravel fundamental mechanisms that control the elongation phase of transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in normal and disease states. We are particularly interested in essential and biomedical-ly important transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases (tCDKs) that trigger release of Pol II from promoter-proximal pausing and facilitate productive Pol II elongation along gene bodies.

We aim to exploit the knowledge on basic principles of gene regulation to help devise novel treatments of many diseases that stem from misregulated gene transcription programs. More information about the lab, including the latest research and news, can be found here: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/center-for-gene-regulation .

Your qualifications

We are looking for a creative thinker with strong analytical skills and a passion for science. We expect you to formulate your own hypotheses, propose experimental design to address them, and take advantage of the laboratory/research community’s intellectual and skill resources to advance the knowledge of the field.

The competitive candidate should hold a PhD degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, cancer biology or related fields. Expertise in biochemistry, transcriptomics, NGS data analysis and basic programming in R/Python is a pre-requisite for the position. Previous experience of working with in vivo models of cancer is considered an advantage. Strong command in written and spoken English is required.

The chosen applicant is expected to reside in Finland while employed by the University of Helsinki.

What we offer

The successful candidate will receive training in biochemical, molecular biology and cell line-based functional assays, as well as cutting-edge systems biology methods, such as CRISPRi and nascent transcriptomics methods. The training could be furthered by research visits within our collaboration network of well-regarded laboratories around the globe. Current projects in the lab funded by Research Council of Finland, Sigrid Juselius Foundation and Cancer Foundation Finland grants revolve around fundamental biology of tCDKs and their combinatorial targeting in cancer.

The appointment will be initially for two years with a possibility for extension. Trial period of six months will be applied. The monthly gross starting salary will be appr. 3700 € per month, depending on the appointees’ qualifications and experience.

In addition, the University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and opportunities for professional development. Please read more at https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers .

How to apply

Applications should be submitted through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the "Apply now" button.

Internal applicants (i.e., current employees of the University of Helsinki) submit their applications by using the Employee Login button.

Please send your application with the following appendices:

The closing date for applications is May 12, 2025. The shortlisted candidates will be notified about the interview shortly afterwards.

For further information on the position, please contact Matjaž Barborič, Ph.D.; matjaz.barboric (at) helsinki.fi.

Applicants of any gender, linguistic and cultural background or from members of minority groups are welcomed.

Recent publications

Wang Z et al. (2023) Inhibition of CDK12 elevates cancer cell dependence on P-TEFb by stimulation of RNA polymerase II pause release. Nucleic Acids Res 51(20):10970-10991
Wang Z et al. (2023) P-TEFb promotes cell survival upon p53 activation by suppressing intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Nucleic Acids Res 51(4):1687-1706
Bugai A et al. (2019) P-TEFb activation by RBM7 shapes a pro-survival transcriptional response to genotoxic stress. Molecular Cell 74(2): 254-267

About us

The Faculty of Medicine promotes high quality scientific research. It provides research-based undergraduate and postgraduate education in medicine, dentistry, psychology and logopedics, and an international Master's Programme in Translational Medicine. It also offers psychotherapist education. In addition to its teaching and research activities, the faculty serves as a significant expert organisation in the healthcare sector and contributes to the discourse on ethics in the field. The faculty aims to be one of the best medical research faculties in the world, while reinforcing its status as a distinguished institution of multidisciplinary education in healthcare: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-medicine .

The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Helsinki constitutes the academic medical centre together with HUS Helsinki University Hospital and the Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE). This medical centre has been successful in international comparisons, ranking among the top 10 medical campuses in Europe and the top 50 globally.

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