Research Assistant

The Fagerholm group at the Faculty of Bio- and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki is seeking to recruit a
 

RESEARCH ASSISTANT
 

The researcher will participate in a project which investigates and develops novel immunotherapies (cell therapies) to cancer. The position is available as soon as possible for minimum of one year with the possibility of extension. A six month trial period will be applied. It may be possible to extend the position into a PhD project.
 

The Fagerholm group consists of Immunologists, Biochemists and Bioinformaticians working together to understand the molecular mechanisms which regulate immune cell trafficking and function in vivo. We are especially interested in the role of integrins in immune system regulation and in immune-system related diseases such as immunodeficiency and cancer. We use a wide range of techniques such as mouse models, tumor models, in vivo immune cell migration and other functional assays, flow cytometry, cell biology, metabolic assays, imaging and next generation sequencing to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of immune cell function.

Applicants should possess an MSc degree or be close to graduation. An excellent academic record and a strong interest in immunology/immune cell biology/immune therapy is preferred. The applicant should have a good understanding of the basic principles of immunology/immunotherapy and practical experience of cell biology and cell culture. They should have the ability to work productively both independently and as part of a team.
 

The salary of a research assistant will be between 2100-2500 eur/month, depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate.

Application should include the following documents as a single pdf file: a cover letter, a CV and the names and contact details of 2 referees.

Informal enquiries should be sent to susanna.fagerholm(at)helsinki.fi.
 

Deadline for application is 21.1.2025, but review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

For an outline of the group’s research: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/integrins-in-immunity.

The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and minorities.

Recent publications from the lab include:
 

1. Harjunpää H, Somermäki R, Saldo Rubio G, Fusciello M, Feola S, Faisal I, Nieminen AI, Wang L, Llort Asens M, Zhao H, Eriksson O, Cerullo V, & Fagerholm SC. 2024. Loss of β2-integrin function results in metabolic reprogramming of dendritic cells, leading to increased dendritic cell functionality and anti-tumor responses. OncoImmunology, 13(1):2369373
2. Guenther C, Faisal I, Fusciello M, Sokolova M, Ilander M, Harjunpää H, Tallberg R, Vartiainen M, Gonzalez-Granado J-M, Alon R, Cerullo V, Fagerholm SC. 2021. β2-integrin adhesion regulate dendritic cell epigenetic and transcriptional landscapes to restrict dendritic cell maturation and tumour rejection. Cancer Immunol Res. 9:1354-1369
3. Guenther C, Faisal I, Uotila LM, Asens ML, Harjunpää H, Savinko T, Öhman T, Yao S, Moser M, Morris SW, Tojkander S, Fagerholm SC. 2019. A β2-Integrin/MRTF-A/SRF Pathway Regulates Dendritic Cell Gene Expression, Adhesion, and Traction Force Generation. Front Immunol. 10:1138.
4. Harjunpää H, Llort Asens M, Guenther C, Fagerholm SC. 2019. Cell Adhesion Molecules and Their Roles and Regulation in the Immune and Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol. 10:1078.