Doctoral Researcher

We are looking for a Doctoral Researcher in the field of molecular toxicology, systems biology, and women’s reproductive health. The position is full-time and will be filled for a fixed-term period of 4 years. The workplace is located at Kauppi Campus, Tampere University. The position is hosted by the Mechanistic and Applied Toxicology (MAT) research group, led by Dr Alexandra Schaffert. MAT develops next-generation, animal testing-free approaches to chemical safety, combining molecular biology, proteomics and computational methods to understand how chemicals affect human health, with a particular focus on endocrine disruption and women’s reproductive health. Job description We are seeking a highly motivated Doctoral Researcher to join EIRIS, a research project investigating how endocrine-disrupting chemicals contribute to endometriosis, a common, painful and historically under-researched condition affecting roughly one in ten women. EIRIS is among the first to address this question systematically, building the first comprehensive mechanistic map of how everyday chemical exposures may promote the disease. Tasks As Doctoral Researcher, you will play a central role in EIRIS, contributing to both the experimental and data-driven parts of the project. Your work will combine structured evidence synthesis, computational/data-oriented analysis, and hands-on wet-lab experiments: - Systematically collecting and curating published evidence on chemical effects in endometriosis into a structured, openly available knowledge base using systematic evidence mapping and language model-assisted approaches - Establishing human endometrial cell models and carrying out controlled chemical exposure experiments - Generating proteomic and secretomic samples (LC-MS/MS) and performing in vitro assays - Biological interpretation of omics, pathway, clustering and network-analysis results - Presenting results at conferences, attending trainings, and contributing to publications You will be fully trained in all relevant methods and will undertake short research visits to partner laboratories within Finland and abroad. You will work closely with a computational postdoctoral researcher and an international network of collaborators across toxicology, bioinformatics and women’s health. Prior knowledge in toxicology is welcome but not required, we will provide the toxicological training. What matters most is a solid background in the life sciences, curiosity, careful working habits, willingness to work across both hands-on wet-lab experiments and data-oriented/computational approaches, and a strong interest in a societally important and emerging research question. The selected candidate will be able to focus on their doctoral research full-time and will receive dedicated supervision and mentoring, while being encouraged to develop scientific independence and implement new ideas as part of a supportive, positive and multidisciplinary research environment at the MET faculty. In addition to the doctoral dissertation, the duties of a doctoral researcher include participation in education or other faculty tasks that support your studies. Requirements: - Master’s degree in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, biomedical sciences, toxicology, computational biology, systems biology, bioinformatics, or another closely related life-science field - A solid background in life sciences and strong motivation to work at the interface of environmental health, women’s reproductive health and mechanistic toxicology - Basic understanding of experimental design, data handling and statistics - Interest in learning computational/data-oriented approaches, such as literature curation, omics data interpretation, pathway analysis or network analysis - A careful, well-organised and reliable approach to experimental and data work - Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team - Fluency in English The following are considered an advantage but are not required: - Hands-on laboratory experience, particularly mammalian cell culture and/or molecular biology techniques - Experience with literature curation, systematic review/evidence mapping, omics data analysis or basic bioinformatics - Familiarity with R, Python or another programming language - Experience in toxicology, endocrine disruption, reproductive biology, endometriosis, network biology, ontologies or adverse outcome pathways You need to have completed a relevant Master’s degree before the starting date of employment. Successful candidates must be pursuing or should be accepted to study towards a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme in Medicine, Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering. We offer The starting date is preferably as soon as possible, but latest in November 2026, or as mutually agreed. The position is full-time, and it will be filled for a fixed-term period of 4 years. A trial period of 6 months applies to all our new employees. The salary will be based on both the job requirements and the employee's personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. According to the criteria applied to teaching and research staff, the position of a Doctoral Researcher is placed on level 2-4 of the job requirements scale. A typical starting salary for a Doctoral Researcher is approximately 2770-2900 EUR per month. The salary increases based on experience and the progress of doctoral studies. As a member of staff at Tampere University, you will enjoy a range of competitive benefits, such as occupational health care services, flexible work schedule, versatile research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities and a safe and inviting campus area as well as a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities in your free time.