Director and Professor for Genetics Research

Samfundet Folkhälsan; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Samfundet Folkhälsan invites applications for the Director and Professor of Genetics Research at FHRC in Helsinki. This internationally recognized scientist will lead the Genetics Research Program, shape its future direction, and may hold a part-time professorship at University of Helsinki.

The role emphasizes research leadership, collaboration across groups, securing competitive funding, and translating genetics insights into societal impact.

Qualifications

• Has internationally recognized scientific track record in medical genetics/genomics or a closely related field.
• Has demonstrated scientific excellence through publications and a proven ability to secure competitive research funding.
• Has experience in research leadership and development.
• Possesses excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coordinate research groups and build engagement, participation, and exciting research environments.
• Has experience in international collaborations, cross-disciplinary innovation and the ability to translate research into impact.
• Is expected to establish their own research group at the Folkhälsan Research Center.
• Is proficient in English. Swedish proficiency is an advantage; for the professorship, Swedish proficiency is required as the language of instruction is Swedish.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Genetics Research Program and shape its future direction.
• Coordinate research groups and foster engagement and collaboration.
• Establish and lead a research group at FHRC and secure funding.
• Oversee teaching activities in Swedish for the professorship.

Skills

Scientific leadership

Publications record

Grant funding

International collaborations

Communication skills

English proficiency

Education

PhD in genetics/genomics or related field

Job description

Director and Professorfor Genetics Research

Folkhälsan Research Center

Folkhälsan Research Center (FHRC) is an internationally renowned unit of Samfundet Folkhälsan i svenska Finland focusing on biomedical and health science research, with a long-standing role in the scientific community. FHRC currently has a vibrant community of approximately 200 researchers and experts, with an annual budget of around 10 million euros. We are looking for an internationally acknowledged scientist and visionary research leader with the ability and ambition to shape the future scientific direction of the Genetics Research Program within FHRC. The position can be combined with a professorship at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, which needs to be applied separately https://jobs.helsinki.fi/job-invite/5303/

The Environment and Opportunity

Current Research and Future Impact

The Genetics Research Program currently consists of 10 research groups. The ongoing research covers a broad spectrum, focusing on identifying genetic and lifestyle-related risk factors and mechanisms for both rare genetic disorders and common conditions, including neuromuscular diseases, eye diseases, epilepsy, metabolic bone diseases, and diabetes. While the Genetics Research Program has a strong existing foundation, the new Director will have an excellent opportunity to shape the future direction and strategic focus of the program over time.

Prime Location and World-Class Ecosystem

The Genetics Research Programis located in Biomedicum Helsinki, the heart of the Medical Campus of the University of Helsinki providing unparalleled collaboration opportunities. In addition to the Faculty of Medicine these include the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), the Neuroscience Center and the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS). The Medical Campus in Helsinki is remarkably active and among the key centers in Europe in human genetics and genomics research.

The Director will be uniquely positioned to leverage Finland’s exceptional population-based genetic and health-data resources, including national health registers, biobanks, FinnGen and extensive electronic health-record data, together with secure research environments and national data-permit mechanisms for secondary use of health data. We are looking for a leader who can synergize these assets to foster a world-class environment of innovation and societal impact.

What We Expect

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Has an internationally recognized scientific track record in medical genetics/genomics or a closely related field.
• Has demonstrated scientific excellence through publications and a proven ability to secure competitive research funding.
• Has experience in research leadership and development.
• Possesses excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coordinate research groups and build engagement, participation, and exciting research environments.
• Has experience in international collaborations, cross-disciplinary innovation and the ability to translate research into impact.
• Is expected to establish their own research group at the Folkhälsan Research Center.
• Is proficient in English. Folkhälsan considers proficiency in Swedish an advantage in the selection process. For the professorship, Swedish proficiency is required as the language of instruction is Swedish.

What We Offer

The Director’s Role and University Affiliation

This leadership position of the Genetics Research Program at FHRC can be combined with a part-time professorship in medical genetics for the Swedish-language study program in medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki. The professor is expected to actively participate in teaching students from various disciplines at the Faculty of Medicine, primarily in Swedish.

• Employment terms: The Folkhälsan position (65-100% effort) is permanent. The University of Helsinki appointment (35% effort) may be filled as a fixed-term assistant/associate professor position (tenure-track pathway) or a permanent professor position, depending on the candidate’s merits and career stage.
• Fully Supported Salary:The salary will be fully supported by FHRCand the University of Helsinki, following regular academic appointment standards.

Exciting Opportunity to Develop Genetics Research

Research in the Genetics Research Program focuses on genetic and life-style risk factors underlying human health and disease, and on translating these insights into a better understanding of disease mechanisms, prevention, and treatment. The new Director is expected to play a central role in developing the program and shaping its future scientific direction within the field of medical genetics and genomics. Brain health at critical stages of life is a key priority in Samfundet Folkhälsan’s overall strategy for 2026-2030. While the Genetics Research Program has its own scientific focus, the strategy offers opportunities for collaboration with the Public Health Program within the Center, particularly in areas where genetics and brain health intersect.

Start-Up Package and Infrastructure Support

To ensure a strong start, FHRC will provide the new Director with:

• Start-Up Research Package:A dedicated start-up package for the Director’s own research group will be negotiated for the first five-year period. The size and scope of this package will be negotiated individually with the successful candidate. FHRC will continue to support the group through separately negotiated annual internal funding. In addition, the Director is expected to apply for external grants.
• Laboratory facilities:Folkhälsan will provide the Director with the necessary local laboratory infrastructure to get started, including laboratory equipment, computational resources, and office and lab space within FHRC premises in Biomedicum Helsinki. The details will be agreed upon as part of the appointment negotiations.
• Research Infrastructure Access:The Director will have full access to all the Life Science research infrastructures of the University of Helsinki, national infrastructure units such as those of Biocenter Finland and the ERIC infrastructures. Access can be arranged to national registry and health data Findata and to comprehensive EHR data lake at HUS. There are trusted research environments for large-scale health data, as well as access to the leading European supercomputer LUMI at CSC.

Quality of Life in Helsinki

Beyond the exceptional professional environment, relocating to Finland offers an outstanding standard of living. Helsinki is frequently voted among the best cities in Europe to live and work in. Helsinki is a bilingual city with Swedish speaking as well as international kindergartens and schools. FHRC will provide assistance in relocation to Finland.

Samfundet Folkhälsan i svenska Finland r.f. is the largest Swedish-speaking organization in Finland that works for better health and quality of life. Through research, services, expertise, and community engagement, it promotes public health and wellbeing in Swedish-speaking Finland. Folkhälsan has approximately 1,400 employees, over 18,000 members.

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