About the employer
The University of Turku has a unique, creative and inspirational work environment. Here you will work with top experts, pedagogues and researchers.
Visit the employer pageThe University of Turku has a unique, creative and inspirational work environment. Here you will work with top experts, pedagogues and researchers.
Visit the employer pageAssociate Professor, Dr Pieta Mattila is looking for a postdoctoral level researcher to join her research group. Preferred starting date is 1.3.2024 or as agreed. The position will be filled for two years, but it is possible that it will be extended.
Our group has a strong focus on B lymphocyte activation, which is the driver of protective antibody responses against pathogenic infections. The group uses prominent modern tools of microscopy and proteomics, combined with cell-based assays and mouse models, to unveil the regulatory features of B cell triggering. The overreaching goal of our research is to provide new therapeutic targets to treat B cell-derived lymphomas or immunological disorders like immune deficiencies and autoimmune disorders, and, on the other hand, to develop strategies for more efficient vaccination therapies. More info on our group can be found at our website https://mattilalab.utu.fi.
You will work for an EU funded project (Horizon Europe), called Yellow4FLAVI (Deconstructing the protective immunity of yellow fever virus 17D to inform flavivirus vaccine design). The Yellow4FLAVI consortium comprises 13 partner institutions in 7 different countries (EU contribution 8 million) and is coordinated by Institute Pasteur, France (by Prof. Giovanna Barba-Spaeth). Our part in the consortium is to investigate yellow fever viral vaccine antigen processing and presentation in B cells. A large part of the work will consist of utilizing and developing microscopic and biochemical tools to study viral antigen processing and presentation in B cells in tight collaboration with our consortium partners in France and Germany.
Information on Yellow4FLAVI project: While endemic to the tropics, flaviviruses like Zika, dengue, West Nile or yellow fever virus are re- emerging pathogens of global health concern. Climate change and urbanization have largely contributed to the dissemination of their mosquito vector and Europe has in recent years been regularly confronted with autochthonous cases. Few vaccines are licensed to prevent flavivirus disease, but the yellow fever 17D (YF17D) vaccine has a unique track record of efficiency and safety. Intriguingly, despite its success, how YF17D induced highly efficient protective immunity remains poorly understood. The Yellow4FLAVI consortium aims to fill the gaps in our understanding of the mechanism of action of this vaccine by linking the structure of the viral particle to the resulting host immune response, in order to learn about optimal vaccine design for flaviviruses in general. Since social acceptance of vaccines is critical for their success, we will also develop optimal communication methods.
Research at the Institute of Biomedicine is divided into three functional units: Infection and Immunity, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, and Cancer research. Research at our Institute includes both biomedical basic research and translational research, and the unit division expresses our research priorities.
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.
The University of Turku has a unique, creative and inspirational work environment. Here you will work with top experts, pedagogues and researchers.
Visit the employer page