Laboratory of Prof. Päivi Ojala at the Cancer Cell Biology group (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/cancer-cell-biology) at the Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program at Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland invites applications for a POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER position.
Our research group is part of the Research Programs Unit (RPU) at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland. RPU is an ideal and supportive scientific environment, and we are surrounded by research groups whose strong expertise lies in the lymphatic and blood endothelium function as well as in cancer and genomics. The RPU is enriched with strong infrastructure required for the project.
The laboratory investigates how Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) reshapes endothelial cell identity, with a particular focus on virus–host interactions in the lymphatic endothelium. We study how master regulators of endothelial cell fate contribute to KS lesion development, integrating 2D and 3D cellular models with single-cell chromatin profiling, spatial genomics, and lineage-tracing approaches. By defining the KSHV-driven core mechanisms that establish and disrupt endothelial identity, we aim to uncover therapeutic vulnerabilities and accelerate drug-repurposing strategies for Kaposi sarcoma.
Applicants with a doctoral degree and strong background in cell and molecular biology, bioinformatics and KSHV biology who are interested in working in an inter-disciplinary environment are particularly encouraged to apply.Applicant must be able to work independently and have good communication skills in English.
One Research Council of Finland–funded position is available as a three-year appointment with a flexible start date. A six-month trial period applies. The monthly gross salary is approximately 3600–4200€, depending on qualifications and experience. The University of Helsinki provides comprehensive employee benefits, including occupational health care and professional development opportunities. Further information at www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers.
Please submit your application as a single PDF file containing your CV, motivation letter, publication list and two letters of reference at [email protected]
***The deadline for applications is 30 May 2026***
Selected Ojala lab publications:
Tuohinto K,…OJALA PM. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 doi: 10.1101/2025.06.28.662102.
Alve S….OJALA PM. JCI Insight. 2024 Jan 9;9(1): doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.171821.
Monzo H,… OJALA PM. Mol Cancer Ther., 2023 Jul 24: MCT-23-0008. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-23-0008.
TuohintoK, DiMaioTA,….LagunoffM, and OJALA PM. PLoS Pathogens, 2023 Jan 23;19(1):e1010753. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010753
OJALA PM and Francoís M. JAMA Dermatol. 2022 Dec 1;158(12):1458-1459. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.4341.
Vilimova M, …..OJALA PM, Pfeffer S, Fender A. Nucleic Acids Res. 2021 Sep 27;49(17):10018-10033. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkab731.
Lippert T, ….OJALA PM, Feldhahn N, and Boulton, S. Nat. Comm. 2021 Jan 21;12(1):512. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20819.
Gramolelli S, ….OJALA PM.. Cancer Res. 2020 Aug 1;80(15):3116-3129. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-19-3103.
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