Helsinki Department of Biosciences (HiLIFE) looking for manager for Neuroscience Center (NC). NC is a research unit belonging to HiLIFE University of Helsinki (UH), a leading Nordic university that is strongly committed to life science research. The goal of the Neuroscience Center is to advance the fundamental mechanistic understanding of brain function and to develop these discoveries for better treatment, prevention and diagnosis of psychiatric and neurological disorders. The research of NC’s 17 research groups covers several scales, from stem cell research and molecular neuroscience to systems and cognitive neuroscience, both in animal models and in humans. NC hosts state-of-the-art facilities for modern neuroscience research, including infrastructures for in vivo rodent and human brain imaging as well as electrophysiology, neural stem cell research, and mouse behavioral studies. NC also locally coordinates interdisciplinary neuroscience research with the faculties of the University of Helsinki and Helsinki Brain & Mind, which is the neuroscience network of the capital region formed by the University of Helsinki. Aalto university and HUS Helsinki University Hospitaland Neurocenter Finland’s regional hub.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for a visionary scientific leader with an internationally recognized strong track record in innovative and interdisciplinary neuroscience research and strong leadership skills, including previous experience in leadership and management. Applicants suitable for the position think strategically, are innovative, think globally, and are strong people with change agility. We value merit in building multidisciplinary academic research in a highly collaborative environment.

The NC manager does

• Lead scientific research at NC and develop and implement a strategy for future scientific growth, development and excellence
• You are responsible for daily operations, personnel, resources and the acquisition of external funding, as well as the development of NC
• Recruit and nurture a new generation of top researchers
• Lead the instructor’s own research group
• Promotes new cooperation projects, also within the University of Helsinki and HiLIFE
• Participate in the development of bioscience research cooperation between the university’s faculties and departments

The NC director is a member of the HiLIFE Management Team and a member of Neurocenter Finland’s steering group.

The manager is expected to start as soon as possible or after consultation. The position is initially for five years, and it can be renewed and is related to the group’s financing. Salary is negotiable within the salary system of Finnish universities.

Qualification and experience

The successful candidate will

• You have an appropriate doctoral degree
• You have an excellent scientific record in neuroscience, including high-level publications and success in obtaining external funding
• You have previous leadership, management and leadership experience, as well as management training and demonstration of leadership in various international teams
• Present a clear vision for the future direction of neuroscience and NC research and leadership
• Demonstrate your commitment to promoting excellence in scientific research and research training.

Application period and inquiries

The application deadline is January 9, 2023 (23:59 Finnish time).

More information about the task Contact HiLIFE director Jari Koistinaho by email [email protected] or by phone +358 503 789207.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HiLIFE HR partner Anu Roinen ([email protected]; +358 50 556 0633).

Submission of applications

Applications are submitted as a single pdf file

• a cover letter explaining the motivation to apply for this position (max 1 page);
• your vision for the development of the Neuroscience Center (max 2 pages);
• a research statement focusing on future plans (max. 5 pages, including sources);
• your CV (max 4 pages including a bio-sketch);
• a list of up to 10 selected publications and the rationale for each selection (up to 3 pages);
• a link or reference (eg ORCID) to a complete list of publications.

Submit your application by January 9th by clicking the “Apply Now” link below.

HiLIFE

HiLIFE Helsinki Institute of Biosciences is one of the leading bioscience research institutes in the Nordic countries. It promotes excellent research and the creation of innovations at the campuses and faculties of the University of Helsinki in order to create an attractive international environment where today’s major health and environmental challenges are solved together. At HiLIFE, we believe that breakthroughs happen by giving talented researchers enough resources and freedom to pursue their ambitions and skills towards higher goals.

Life Science research at the University of Helsinki covers a wide range from the structure, function and dynamics of molecules, microbes and cells to whole organisms and ecosystems. Multiple units in all four University campuses, but mainly Viikki and Meilahti host life science researchers. HiLIFE was founded in 2017 to connect the university’s units and campuses and thus build an even more vibrant bioscience community.

HiLIFE includes Finnish Institute of Molecular Medicine FIMM, Institute of Biotechnology (BI) and Neuroscience Center (NC). These units play an important role in the development of a strong international research environment in their priority areas and they bring important expertise to HiLIFE in the field of recruitment, training, core services, innovation and international cooperation. HiLIFE also takes responsibility for inter-campus needs and the development of the Life Science area. This dual role makes HiLIFE a unique entity at the university.

HiLIFE employs more than 640 different scientists and support staff. About 55% of the international staff use English as their daily working language. HiLIFE’s budget exceeds €65 million, of which approximately 65% ​​is external competitive research funding. About 85 principal researchers work at HiLIFE, including several ERC grant recipients. HiLIFE, measured by CNCI (Category Normized Citation Impact 2017-2020), is the university’s top research unit. It is also a pioneer in open publishing.

University of Helsinki and Finland

university of Helsinki welcomes applicants from different genders, language and cultural backgrounds and minorities. We offer comprehensive services to our employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, exercise opportunities and opportunities for professional development. Our university is a vibrant and international scientific community with 40,000 students and researchers. It is one of the leading multidisciplinary research universities in Europe and ranks among the world’s top 100 international universities. The university has promoted society, education and well-being with the power of science since 1640.

The University of Helsinki is a research and learning community based on bold thinking and dialogue. Our vision 2030 is to be one of the world’s leading universities that creates understanding through research and teaching for the benefit of the global community. Everyday activities and interactions are based on the shared values ​​of truth, Bildung, freedom and inclusiveness. Our research and teaching are inspired four themes which accelerate cooperation between fields and disciplines and renew research and learning: meaningful life, human well-being and a healthy environment; A humane and just world; A sustainable and viable future for our planet; and a universe of ideas and possibilities.

Finland is a member of the EU, has high-quality free education (also in English), generous family benefits and healthcare, and was recently voted the world’s best country for foreign families and one of the top ten most livable cities in the world. Finland and the Helsinki region have excellence in the sciences in the form of vibrant talent, leading research, strong support services and functioning cooperation networks. You can find more information about working at the University of Helsinki and living in Finland at https://www.helsinki.fi/fi/tietoa-meistä/ura.