Programme Director and Professor of Genetic Research

Folkhälsan Research Center Folkhälsan Research Center is an internationally known unit within Samfundet Folkhälsan in Swedish-speaking Finland, focusing on biomedical and health-science research. The center has long played an important role in the research community. It is a vital organization with approximately 200 researchers and experts. The center has an annual budget of approximately 10 million euros. We are seeking an internationally recognised researcher and visionary research leader with the ability and ambition to shape the future scientific direction of the Genetic Research Programme at Folkhälsan Research Center. The position may be combined with a professorship at the University of Helsinki Faculty of Medicine. Application for the professorship must be submitted separately. Environment and opportunities Current research and future impact The Genetic Research Programme currently consists of 10 research groups. Research covers a broad range of topics and focuses on identifying genetic and lifestyle-related risk factors and mechanisms for rare genetic diseases and common diseases, including neuromuscular diseases, eye diseases, epilepsy, metabolic bone diseases and diabetes. The programme has a solid foundation, and the new programme director will have an excellent opportunity to shape its future direction and strategic focus over time. Excellent location and a world-class ecosystem The Genetic Research Programme is based at Biomedicum Helsinki, at the heart of the University of Helsinki medical campus. This offers outstanding opportunities to collaborate with the Faculty of Medicine, the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), the Neuroscience Center and Helsinki University Hospital (HUS). Helsinki’s medical campus is exceptionally active and one of Europe’s key campuses for human genetics and genomics research. The programme director will have a unique opportunity to draw on Finland’s exceptional population-based genetic and health-data resources, including national health registers, biobanks, FinnGen and extensive electronic health-record data, as well as secure research environments and national mechanisms for permits for the secondary use of health data. We seek a leader who can create synergies between these resources to develop a world-class environment that promotes innovation and societal impact. What we expect We are looking for a candidate with: Internationally recognised scientific credentials in medical genetics/genomics or a related field. A demonstrated record of scientific excellence through publications and an established ability to secure competitive research grants. Experience leading and developing research. Excellent leadership and communication skills, social competence, and the ability to coordinate research groups and foster engagement, participation and inspiring research environments. Experience in international collaboration and interdisciplinary innovation, and the ability to translate research into practical benefit. The ability to establish an independent research group at Folkhälsan Research Center. Fluent English. Folkhälsan considers fluent Swedish an advantage. Fluency in Swedish is required for the professorship because Swedish is the language of instruction. What we offer The programme director role and university affiliation The position as director of the Genetic Research Programme at Folkhälsan Research Center may be combined with a part-time professorship in medical genetics in the Swedish-language medical programme at the University of Helsinki Faculty of Medicine. The professor is expected to take an active part in teaching students from different disciplines at the Faculty of Medicine, primarily in Swedish. Employment terms: Employment at Folkhälsan (65–100% working time) is permanent. The position at the University of Helsinki (35% working time) may be filled as a fixed-term assistant/associate professor (tenure-track pathway) or as a permanent professor, depending on the candidate’s merits and career stage. Fully funded position: The position is fully funded by Folkhälsan Research Center and the University of Helsinki in accordance with the general terms for academic appointments. An exciting opportunity to develop genetic research Research in the Genetic Research Programme focuses on genetic and lifestyle-related risk factors for human health and disease, and on applying these insights to improve understanding of disease mechanisms, prevention and treatment. The new programme director is expected to make a central contribution to the programme’s development and shape its future scientific direction in medical genetics and genomics. Brain health at key stages of life is an important priority in Samfundet Folkhälsan’s 2026–2030 strategy. The programme has its own scientific focus, while the strategy creates opportunities to collaborate with the center’s public-health programmes, especially where genetics and brain health overlap. Start-up package and infrastructure support To support an effective start, Folkhälsan Research Center provides the new programme director with: A research start-up package: An agreement on a tailored start-up package for the programme director’s own research group will be made for the first five-year period. The package’s size and scope will be agreed separately with the selected candidate. Folkhälsan Research Center will continue to support the group through annual internal funding under a separate agreement. In addition, the programme director is expected to apply for external grants. Laboratory facilities: Folkhälsan provides the local laboratory infrastructure the programme director needs to get started, including laboratory equipment, computing resources, and office and laboratory space at Folkhälsan Research Center in Biomedicum Helsinki. Details will be finalised during employment negotiations. Access to research infrastructure: The programme director has full access to the University of Helsinki’s life-science research infrastructures, national infrastructure units such as those at Biocenter Finland, and ERIC infrastructures. Access can also be arranged to national registers and health data (Findata) and HUS’s extensive electronic health-record data lake. These are secure research environments for extensive health data and provide access to the leading European supercomputer LUMI at CSC. Quality of life in Helsinki Moving to Finland offers not only an exceptional working environment but also an excellent standard of living. Helsinki has repeatedly been voted one of the best cities in Europe to live and work in. Helsinki is a bilingual city with Swedish-language and international early-childhood education and schools. Folkhälsan Research Center helps with relocation to Finland. Application Please attach the following documents to your application: A vision for the future scientific direction and development of the Genetic Research Programme at Folkhälsan Research Center (maximum 2 pages). A research plan for the applicant’s own research group at Folkhälsan Research Center (maximum 2 pages). A concise CV (maximum 3 pages). A complete publication list with the 10 most important publications marked. Applications must be received by 10 December 2026. For further information, please contact Research Director and Professor Mikaela von Bonsdorff, tel. +358 400 342 692. Application to the University of Helsinki Faculty of Medicine must be submitted separately. The application deadline is 10 December 2026.