Group Leader (Clinical Research) for the InFLAMES Flagship

The University of Turku research flagship InFLAMES: Innovation Ecosystem based on the Immune System, which is part of the Academy of Finland’s Flagship Programme, is seeking a Clinical Research Group Leader, whose research focuses on clinical research in immunology and related diagnostics and/or drug development.

The position will be filled with the title of Senior Researcher (Sr.) and is fixed-term until 30 June 2028 at the latest. The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible.

The position may be filled on a part-time basis (20–60%). Working hours may be arranged as period-based or part-time. During the employment, the goal is to conduct goal-oriented clinical research and to advance specialist expertise in the relevant field at the university hospital, to strengthen the existing research group, and to secure additional complementary funding for it.

The selected candidate will spend at least part of their remaining working time in clinical duties in the relevant specialty, to be agreed separately with the wellbeing services county or another responsible healthcare unit. Applicants are requested to include in their application a proposal indicating the desired clinical work percentage and the time period during which they would like to hold the position.

About the research environment

University of Turku is an international and multidisciplinary research and teaching unit which works in close collaboration with regional, national and international partners. Health, diagnostics and drug development are among the University of Turku’s key strengths and form one of the thematic focus areas in its research and education.

The InFLAMES Flagship (https://inflames.utu.fi/) is a joint effort of University of Turku, Åbo Akademi University and it acts as a spearhead in regional ecosystem including also the Wellbeing Services County of Southwest Finland, Turku Science Park and related companies. It aims at being an internationally recognized, top-level, immunological research and development cluster attracting both researchers and business partners. The Flagship aims to provide novel discoveries which lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory disorders. Innovations, internationally recognized scientists, an extensive state-of-the-art research infrastructure and intensive academy–industry interactions form the foundation of the InFLAMES Flagship research.

The position will be seated at the relevant department or institute of the Faculty of Medicine or at Turku PET Centre.

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

• Conducting scientific clinical research related to Flagship’s research profile - please see https://inflames.utu.fi/
• Applying for external funding
• Building collaborative networks

Who we are looking for

Qualifications

• PhD in medicine
• Docentship (title of docent) or equivalent academic merits is considered to be an advantage
• Research experience in immunology or related diagnostics and/or drug development, and strong proficiency in relevant research methods
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent, high-quality research
• Experience in leading a research group
• Activity in applying for external research funding
• Good organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, including written and oral communication in English

International research experience is an advantage.

Additional information on the qualification requirements of the position is available on the University of Turku Rules of Procedure.

 We value collegiality and promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We encourage all qualified applicants with different backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Benefits

We offer you responsible and interesting tasks and the opportunity to develop your professional skills in a versatile operating environment. You get a professional and inspiring team to support your work. We take care of your well-being at work and the functionality of your everyday life, e.g. with the help of flexible working hours and our well-being services.

• Possibilities to develop your expertise – We encourage our personnel to develop their professional expertise by offering versatile training and competence development possibilities which employees can take advantage of during their working hours. Also, many course offerings of Turku Open University are free of charge for our personnel.
• Your well-being is important to us! – In addition to comprehensive occupational health care, our own well-being services monitor, support and develop the well-being of our personnel. You are entitled to use the CampusSport’s services at a personnel price.
• We support your work-life balance – Flexible working hours and extensive remote work options help you balance work and leisure time. 
• An inspiring and supportive work community – We encourage each other and value working together!

Please read more about University of Turku as an employer from our Come work with us! pages.

The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research quality label. The label is a token of the University's commitment to continuous development of the position and working conditions of researchers according to the guidelines set forth in the European Charter for Researchers. 

The university offers good support and orientation for international hires. Please learn more about the Finnish culture and relocation to Finland:

• City of Turku
• Welcome visitor
• International House of Turku
• Working culture: infoFinland.fi
• This is Finland
• Careers in Southwest Finland
• Finland - a superpower of education and innovations | University of Turku (utu.fi)

The University of Turku is among the top of the world’s universities in most rankings and among the best universities in the world in certain fields. Our high-quality basic research, a multidisciplinary research profile and close cooperation in research infrastructures creates the basis for international top research. Read more about University of Turku in international university rankings.

The University of Turku has several high-quality research infrastructures required for cutting-edge research. Learn more about the roadmap of research infrastructures and how the research infrastructure and expert teams offer tailored solutions for businesses and organizations.

Salary and trial period

The job-specific salary will be determined in accordance with the Finnish universities’ salary system (YPJ) for teaching and research staff, at demand level 6–7, resulting in a job-specific salary component of EUR 3,925.63–4,525.66 per month. In addition to the job-specific component, a personal performance-based salary component will be paid. The total monthly salary is at the start likely to be approx.. EUR 4,300–5,400 depending on qualifications, skills and experience.

A six (6) month probation period applies to the position.

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 10.08.2026 at 16.00 (Europe/Helsinki).

Please write your application and accompanying documents in English.

• Applications must be submitted on 10 August 2026 at 16:00 (Finnish time) via the University of Turku electronic application form. A link to the application form can be found in the job posting at: https://www.utu.fi/en/university/come-work-with-us/open-vacancies.
• Applicants should enclose with their application a summary of a research plan (max. 2 pages), a motivation letter (max. 1 page), a CV (max. 2 pages), and a list of publications.
• Please indicate on the application the length of the wished contract, possible part-time portion of the work and/or planned periods of work.
• The top candidates may be interviewed.
• Please note that the selected person need to be prepared to submit the degree certificates to HR.

Further information

For further information about the position, please contact InFLAMES Impact Director of the InFLAMES Flagship, Professor Sirpa Jalkanen (sirpa.jalkanen(at)utu.fi).

Regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR Specialist Anne Jackson, anne.jackson(at)utu.fi, until 3 July 2026 and thereafter InFLAMES Project Manager Kaisa Hakkila, kaisa.hakkila(at)utu.fi.

The University of Turku is a responsible employer and educator and follows The Equality Plan of the University of Turku approved by the University Board.

The InFLAMES Flagship (Innovation Ecosystem based on the Immune System) is a joint organization of the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University aiming at being an internationally recognized, top-level, immunological research and development cluster that will be globally attractive both for researchers and business partners. We are part of the Academy of Finland's Flagship Programme.

The Faculty of Medicine is a high level, international and innovative research and education unit in biomedicine, clinical medicine, dentistry and health and nursing sciences, as well as a major social contributor to health promotion, disease genesis, in the research of diagnostics and treatment and in the development of the health service and education system. The faculty provides research-based multidisciplinary undergraduate education in educational programs that educate diverse and critically minded specialists. The research is multidisciplinary and results in new information aimed at promoting the health of the population and better patient care.

The University of Turku is an inspiring and international academic community of 25,000 students and staff in Southwest Finland. We build a sustainable future with multidisciplinary research, education, and collaboration. With us, your work will have a significant impact and relevance in the changing world.

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