Doctoral Researcher

Applications are invited for one full-time Doctoral Researcher position at Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Finland. The PhD project is “Effect of ischemic heart disease on multiorgan perfusion.” The fixed-term, full-time position lasts three years (36 months) and starts on 1 April 2027 or as agreed. Long axial field of view (LAFOV) PET/CT is a new imaging modality suited to studying diseases and molecular processes at whole-body and systems-biology level with multiple radiotracers. The PREFERENCE project aims to develop LAFOV PET/CT methods for new clinical research. It will train researchers in this field through research in academia and industry, developing methods and conducting clinical studies across disease areas. The EU selected the project for funding under the HE Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action. The consortium comprises 12 academic partners with expertise in quantitative LAFOV PET/CT imaging and industrial partners developing imaging equipment or multicentre image-analysis solutions and services. This is a three-year full-time doctoral candidate position under the MSCA Doctoral Network programme. The goal is to conduct hands-on LAFOV PET/CT clinical research, improve its clinical applicability and gain knowledge about disease pathophysiology. You will develop and evaluate methods for measuring perfusion simultaneously in all organs during a routine myocardial perfusion examination. You may also expand your expertise to cardiovascular inflammation using the novel inflammatory tracer 18-F-folate. You will investigate the systemic impact of atherosclerosis and myocardial ischemia caused by coronary artery disease (CAD) on other organs and how these are linked to patients’ sensations and experiences. During secondments at Regionhospitalet in Copenhagen, the University of Edinburgh and Siemens Healthineers, you will develop and evaluate methods for automated analysis of LAFOV perfusion studies, perform multi-organ multiparametric kinetic analysis, and implement and evaluate parametric LAFOV imaging using reconstruction tools. The project may also include short-term visits to other PREFERENCE partners for data and software exchange. The fellow must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country where the research training takes place for more than 12 months during the three years immediately before recruitment. At recruitment, the fellow must be a doctoral candidate and must not have a doctoral degree. Applicants must have successfully completed studies in Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Medicine or Health Biosciences (MSc degree or equivalent). Very good command of English is required; Finnish language skills are beneficial. Good communication skills are required for cooperation in a multidisciplinary environment. Applicants must be willing to travel and flexible. Technical skills and prior experience with medical imaging data are beneficial. Applicants must be physically able to work in a radiation-protection control area. The selected candidate must obtain the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the Faculty of Medicine and be approved by the Doctoral Programme of Clinical Research (DPCR) before employment is confirmed, unless they already hold a valid doctoral study right. The university offers interesting and responsible work, opportunities to develop professional skills, a professional and inspiring team, and support for well-being and everyday work, including flexible working hours and well-being services. Personnel can develop their expertise through versatile training during working hours and take Open University courses free of charge. Benefits include comprehensive occupational health care, the university’s well-being services and access to CampusSport services at a personnel price. Flexible hours and extensive remote-work options support work-life balance. The university encourages mutual support and values working together. The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research quality label, recognizing its commitment to continuously developing researchers’ positions and working conditions in accordance with the European Charter for Researchers. The university offers support and orientation for international hires. The University of Turku is an international academic community of 25,000 students and staff in Southwest Finland. It describes its work as building a sustainable future through multidisciplinary research, education and collaboration. The university has research infrastructures supporting advanced research and offers research-infrastructure expertise and services to businesses and organizations. The successful candidate will be appointed as a full-time PhD candidate for three years, with a six-month trial period. Salary follows Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions terms and includes a gross living allowance of EUR 4,010 per month, subject to a correction factor for Finland, a monthly mobility allowance of EUR 710 and, depending on family status, a family allowance of EUR 660 per month. These amounts include taxes and compulsory employer contributions, which will be deducted to calculate net salary. Exact net salary will be confirmed upon appointment. Total salary is about EUR 3,500 per month initially and may increase as expertise develops. Monthly gross salary may vary somewhat between years as side costs change. Submit your application through the online recruitment system. The application closing date is 30 November 2026 at 16:00 EEST. Write the application and accompanying documents in English. A complete application includes a motivation letter, a Europass CV, copies of relevant certificates and contact details for two references. After the mobility rule and eligibility have been assessed based on the CV and motivation letter, applicants may be invited to several online or in-person interviews. The local host supervisory team selects candidates and arranges interviews with an international scientific mentor from the network and possibly a scientific adviser. Application information will be shared with the consortium coordinator for centralized coordination and registration of recruitment. The host institution will provide exact employment-condition information. Gross and net salary, social-security benefits and related information will be communicated during the interview and upon appointment.

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