Doctoral Researcher (PhD) in Protein Synthesis

Sarah O'Keefe's lab in the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki (Viikki Campus) offers a fully funded doctoral researcher position in the Research Council of Finland project Inhibiting Protein Synthesis – Old, New, Borrowed, Blue, co-supervised by Brendan Battersby. The early stages of protein synthesis — translation on ribosomes and the translocation and membrane insertion of new polypeptides via translocons and insertases — are emerging targets for drug development.

The project combines cellular and chemical biology, cell-free protein synthesis, cryo-EM, gene editing and orthogonal high-throughput screening to discover new protein synthesis inhibitors and repurpose existing ones, with access to the local cryo-EM, High Throughput Biomedicine and Finnish Genome Editing Centre units, collaborations with chemists and computational physicists in the US, Japan and Finland, and research visits to the University of Leeds.

The doctoral researcher completes an article-based thesis and 30 ECTS of doctoral studies. Funding covers up to 44 months from January 2027 or as agreed, with a starting gross salary of about €2,500–2,700 per month. Applications close on 13 November 2026 at 23:59 Helsinki time.

Master's degree (or completion before the start date) in biology, biological sciences, biochemistry, pharmacy or another relevant field, including medicinal chemists with strong research experience committed to switching fields; excellent English; ability to work independently and in a team. One PDF with a cover letter, CV, two referees, Master's diploma and transcript, and answers to four questions. The right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki must be obtained within the six-month probationary period.