Open positions:
Doctoral Student
Viikki Graduate School in Molecular Biosciences (VGSB, http://www.biocenter.helsinki.fi/viikkigs/) is a local graduate school operating at the Viikki Campus of the University of Helsinki. VGSB was established on 1.1.1999 as the initiative of Viikki Research Group Organization in Molecular Biosciences. The 4-year PhD training program of VGSB provides high class and versatile education in molecular biosciences, in the fields of developmental biology, cell biology, plant biology, structural biology, biophysics, microbiology, virology, genetics & genomics and bioinformatics, as well as transferable skills. The Dean of VGSB is Prof. Dennis Bamford, and the Coordinator Dr. Sandra Falck.
Viikki Graduate School in Molecular Biosciences - an international PhD training program of the University of Helsinki - invites applications for
Doctoral Student positions
starting on January 1, 2010. All Doctoral Student positions at VGSB can be applied maximally for four years.
VGSB’s doctoral students are privileged to participate in an excellent PhD training program including basic and advanced courses in bioscience research, as well as extensive transferable skills. The goal is to achieve the PhD degree from the University of Helsinki within the four-year graduate school period. The progress of the student is supported by the supervisor, a carefully selected Follow Up Group, and VGSB.
The supervisor of the VGSB applicant needs to be affiliated with VGSB. VGSB affiliated supervisors are those members of Viikki Research Group Organization in Molecular Biosciences (http://www.biocenter.helsinki.fi/members.htm) whose expertise represents the scientific fields of VGSB (Developmental biology, Cell biology, Plant biology, Structural biology and biophysics, Microbiology, Virology, Genetics & Genomics and Bioinformatics in relation to the above mentioned fields). VGSB focuses on biological research aiming to study molecular mechanisms behind basic biological phenomena at cellular and molecular level. Research group affiliation with VGSB involves contributing to the curriculum of the school.
The Doctoral Student positions are open for all graduate students with a background in natural sciences, biology, medicine or another equivalent field. Applicants selected should start working in a VGSB affiliated research group on January 1, 2010, and register as doctoral students of the University of Helsinki by the end of June, 2010. Undergraduate students are welcome to apply if their Master Thesis/Diploma/Pro Gradu has been completed and graded. The MSc degree (or equivalent) must be completed by the end of June 2010 at the latest. VGSB research group funded (‘matching funds’) students, who have been in VGSB for less than three years, are encouraged to apply in the call.
The Ministry of Education funded Doctoral Student positions at VGSB can be applied maximally for four years. The salary for the present positions will be based on levels 1 - 4 of the demands level chart for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal work performance.
An ideal application should:
- Demonstrate that the applicant is motivated and has potential to develop into an independent researcher.
- Demonstrate that the applicant will significantly benefit from the four-year PhD training program
- Contain a scientifically significant and feasible thesis project which thematically fits in the scope of the scientific fields represented by VGSB
- Propose a research group which
- is a member of the Viikki Research Group Organization in Molecular Biosciences (http://www.biocenter.helsinki.fi/members.htm) and represents the scientific fields of VGSB
- can provide adequate supervision and scientific training of the students
- actively participates in developing the curriculum of VGSB.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The online application form and the instructions are available at www.biocenter.helsinki.fi/viikkigs. Please carefully read the VGSB-specific admission requirements and make sure all the formal criteria for VGSB admission are met, before applying. Applications may be submitted as of September 14th, 2009, the application deadline is October 2nd, 2009 at 3.45 p.m. (local Helsinki time).
1. Application (submission deadline Oct 2nd, 2009)
The applications are submitted online and are welcome 14.9.-2.10.2009. The online application includes 1) the application form filled by the student, and 2) the ‘Agreement of Supervision’ form filled by the supervisor. Both forms must be filled for the application to be valid. No applications or supervisor’s forms submitted after the deadline are accepted. An evaluation panel will score all applications.
2. Mapping of Knowledge (Oct 12 th, 2009 at 14.15)
Some applicants are invited for VGSB’s mapping of knowledge on October 12 th, 2009 at 14.15 (-16.00), auditorium 1041, Biocenter 2 (Viikinkaari 5). Please mark the date and time in your calendar since the invitations will be sent as a late notice.
3. Interviews (Nov 9th -10th, 2009)
Some applicants are invited for an interview by the evaluation panel on November 9th -10th, 2009. Mark the dates in your calendar since the invitations to the interviews will be sent as a late notice.
4. Decisions (late Nov, 2009)
Following the interviews the evaluation panel will make a proposal for student selection to the VGSB Board. All applicants will be informed of the selection by e-mail. The list of students accepted in the PhD training program of VGSB will also be published on VGSB’s www page http://www.biocenter.helsinki.fi/viikkigs/
For further information on VGSB’s Doctoral Student positions, contact Sandra Falck, tel. + 358 9 191 59642, e-mail sandra.falck@helsinki.fi , or see http://www.biocenter.helsinki.fi/viikkigs/.
Helsinki, 14 September 2009
Administration Office