The Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Helsinki conducts research in pharmacy and provides the highest education in the field. The Faculty offers the undergraduate degrees of Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy), Master of Science (Pharmacy) and Master of Science, as well as doctoral degrees (Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy) and Doctor of Philosophy). Additionally, the Faculty offers specialisation studies in community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy as well as in industrial pharmacy, and actively participates in further education in the field. The Faculty also educates Swedish-speaking Master of Science (Pharmacy) graduates. The Faculty of Pharmacy has three divisions: Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology. Faculty staff from different study programs cooperate in the degree programmes, which are responsible for the education leading to the degree. 
 

The Faculty of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, invites applications for the position of a
 

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER (related to Modelling, AI and Machine Learning in Pharmaceutical Processing)
 

The appointment is for about 1.5 years (until 30th June 2025). The position will be filled with 6 months probationary period. The starting date is as soon as possible after the recruitment decision is made. There is an opportunity to expand the PostDoc appointment for 6 months depending on the BusinessFinland funding extension.
 

The appointment is at the Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology as part of the Business Finland funded research project LifeFactFuture, which advances life science manufacturing, technology and anticipatory excellence; increased agility, circularity and sustainability, ability to establish competitive advantages from world-class AI-based solutions and efficient deployment of RegOps, visionary and foresight capabilities, adaptability, and real-option assessment ability related to rapidly altering, optimising and scaling up current production lines and advancing new production. The consortium consists of Finland's major life science manufacturers, data and technology companies, the pharmaceutical regulatory authority, and the University of Turku and the University of Helsinki. Together, the consortium will provide a targeted push forward for advanced life science manufacturing. 
 

Teaching tasks can account for up to 5 % of the annual working time. The appointment will also include international mobility for 1-4 months.

We are looking for an applicant with 

• a PhD degree from a relevant field; the degree requirement must be met by the beginning of the employment
• skills and experience in modelling and AI as well as machine learning research and tools (e.g. Matlab and/or Python)
• computer sciences, chemical engineering or other relevant background with expertise in AI and machine learning technologies and modelling of process data
• experiences in collaborative research 
• good written and verbal communication skills (in English)
• ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team 

Previous skills or experience in pharmaceutical industry, pharmaceutical Technology and drug formulations are also beneficial, but not necessary.

Salary and benefits

The salary is based on level 5 of the job requirement scheme for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities and includes a personal salary component. In total, the monthly salary will be between about 3 500–3 700 € depending on applicant’s qualifications and experience. 
 

This PostDoc project in Industrial Pharmacy (lead by Prof. Anne Juppo) and Sustainability (lead by PI of this project, Assoc. Prof. Mia Sivén) research groups give an excellent opportunity for multidisciplinary collaborative research in the area of digitalization and wide national and international networks within academia and life science, especially pharma, and data and technology companies. Further, unique knowledge of applying data technology skills towards pharmaceutical processing including sustainability and applications will be obtained. 

Read about the employee benefits in general at the University of Helsinki: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers. 
 

Interested in the position?
 

Please submit your application and the required attachments in English as a single PDF file through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System. 

The application should include the following documents as a single pdf file:

• a motivation letter (max 1 page) 
• a complete CV with full contact details, education/previous degrees obtained, prior work/research experience, description of experience in modelling and AI as well as machine learning research and tools, list of publications and theses (with links to their online versions, if available)
• recommendation letter(s) and contact information of one or more previous supervisors, employers, or other references

The closing date for applications is 12 August 2024 (23:59 EEST).
 

Applications may be reviewed already during the application period and Zoom interviews of shortlisted candidates will take place as soon as possible after the deadline. The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and minorities.

Further information (please note that the enquirys will not be answered around in July due to the holidays)

• The project and position: Professor Anne Juppo, anne.juppo(at)helsinki.fi
• Project: LifeFactFuture, https://www.utu.fi/en/news/press-release/unique-collaboration-strengthens-data-driven-life-science-manufacturing
• Applying and/or technical support: HR Specialist for the Faculty of Pharmacy (substitute Harri Hamara), hr-ftdk(at)helsinki.fi
• Faculty of Pharmacy: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-pharmacy 
• Viikki Campus: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/university-helsinki/campuses/viikki-campus
• Working at the University of Helsinki: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers
• Support for international applicants: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/information-arriving-international-staff and also https://ihhelsinki.fi (International House Helsinki)