IMMUFELLOW Postdoctoral Researcher Positions

InFLAMES Research Flagship; Turku; On-site; EUR 54,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mobility allowance

Family allowance

Job summary

IMMUFELLOW invites applications for up to eleven fixed-term three-year postdoctoral positions at UTU and ÅAU starting in 2027. The programme supports immunology research with mentoring and mobility and offers a structured environment to develop future scientific careers.

Applicants must hold a doctoral degree and meet MSCA Mobility Rule requirements, be prepared to reside in Finland, and apply from anywhere in the world. The recruitment process is open and merit-based.

Qualifications

• Must have completed doctoral degree by Call deadline.
• Must meet MSCA Mobility Rule requirements.
• Must not have resided or carried out main activity in Finland for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the Call deadline.
• Positions located at UTU or ÅAU campuses; successful applicants must reside in Finland.
• Open to postdoctoral researchers worldwide regardless of nationality or discipline.

Responsibilities

• Carry out an internationally excellent research project over a 3-year period.
• Disseminate project results in various formats.
• Be guided by dedicated intersectoral mentoring teams.
• Maintain autonomy to pursue own research and develop future career plans.
• Join a community of IMMUFELLOW researchers with access to training and seminars.

Skills

Immunology research

Education

Doctoral degree

Job description

The Interdisciplinary and Intersectoral Research Fellowship Programme for Future Leaders in Immunology (IMMUFELLOW) is an innovative postdoctoral training initiative of the University of Turku (UTU) and Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU) in Turku, Finland, jointly funded by the European Union’s Marie Skłodowska Curie-actions (MSCA) COFUND programme.

Immune-related diseases, such as infections, atherosclerosis, and cancer, are increasing in prevalence and pose major societal/economic challenges. IMMUFELLOW aims to train experts and leaders in the broad field of immunology who will advance research to address the needs in the prevention and treatment of immune-mediated diseases. Its goals are breakthrough innovations, scientific renewal, and accelerating the diverse career development of talented researchers by supporting the bottom-up development of outstanding early- and mid-career academics through the provision of three years of funding and enabling them to carry out research projects of their own design.

IMMUFELLOW invites applications for up to eleven (11) fixed-term three-year (36 months) IMMUFELLOW postdoctoral researcher positions (Senior Researcher at UTU and Researcher at ÅAU) starting from April/May 2027.

In this Call for Applications, nine (9) positions will be filled at UTU and two (2) at ÅAU. The same eligibility and application criteria apply, and all applications will be evaluated equally. The research must be immunology-related. Applicants may select any research topic and approach to immunology, including basic, translational, and clinical immunology, diagnostics, drug development, and health economics, provided it reflects the core research strengths of UTU or ÅAU.

IMMUFELLOW postdoctoral researchers are recruited internationally through an open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment process based on external anonymous peer review. Successful applications will be selected based on academic excellence. For more information on the IMMUFELLOW postdoctoral MSCA COFUND programme, please visit the IMMUFELLOW website (https://immufellow.fi/).

The main task of IMMUFELLOW postdoctoral researchers is to carry out an internationally excellent research project over a three-year period, during which the project results will be disseminated in a variety of ways. Dedicated intersectoral mentoring teams will guide and support IMMUFELLOW researchers. In addition, they will enjoy a high level of autonomy to pursue their research project and develop and establish their future career plans. The selected applicants will form a community of IMMUFELLOW postdoctoral researchers and will have access to exceptional training opportunities and monthly seminars/networking events.

IMMUFELLOW offers a structured postdoctoral programme that integrates science, technology, and entrepreneurship. Moreover, IMMUFELLOW ensures comprehensive research quality and training opportunities beyond academia, and postdoctoral researchers can also explore research, training, and development opportunities in corporate settings, with education on regulatory standards/good practices in diagnostics, drug development, and manufacturing.

Who we are looking for?

We are looking for qualified, highly motivated, and skilled individuals with outstanding potential and an established record of research excellence with a scientific background in immunology research and/or experience in a relevant field.

Qualification requirements and evaluation process

Eligible applicants must have completed their doctoral degree by the Call deadline, awarded no longer than 10 years before the Call deadline (excluding any declared career breaks, such as parental leave or military service). Applicants must meet the MSCA Mobility Rule Requirements, that is, they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Finland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the Call deadline. Therefore, returning residents of Finland may be eligible to apply. The positions are located at a campus of either UTU or ÅAU, and successful applicants are required to reside in Finland.

Transparency, objectivity, and equality in the selection process are emphasised, and the Call is open to postdoctoral researchers from anywhere in the world and of all nationalities, ages, or research disciplines, as long as their proposed research is related to immunology. Successful applicants are requested to demonstrate engagement in international academic networks and provide evidence of their ability to work in a research environment of high international standard.

The closing date for applications is 19 October 2026 at 23:59 (EEST UTC +3).

What do we offer?

Employment as a full-time postdoctoral researcher for 36 months under a fixed-term contract at UTU (9 positions) or ÅAU (2 positions). The employment contract is based on a collective labour agreement and a total working time of 1,612 hours per year. Both universities offer flexible working arrangements and promote work–life balance.

Salary and the trial period

IMMUFELLOW offers attractive remuneration comprising a salary and additional allowances. The salary of IMMUFELLOW postdoctoral researcher is determined in accordance with the university’s salary system for teaching and research personnel. It consists of a task-specific salary component and a personal performance salary component. The individual salary component ranges from a minimum of 6% to a maximum of 50% of the task-specific salary.

The salary for a IMMUFELLOW postdoc corresponds to a requirement level 6 for teaching and research personnel and the preestimated personal performance percentage of 17% (current gross salary around 4500 € per month), and is subject to any potential yearly increases determined by the collective agreement. Progress in the researcher's personal performance can be taken into account when determining the salary during employment. Salary and allowances are taxable income.

Recruited IMMUFELLOW postdoctoral researchers will be granted a mobility allowance of €100 per month, if they are eligible, and a family allowance of €100 per month, if they are eligible (researchers who are married, have a formal status equivalent to marriage, or have dependent children), as per the MSCA guidelines. Family allowance eligibility can be updated during employment. The primary workplace is UTU or ÅAU in Turku, and the position is subject to a trial period of six (6) months.

Benefits and working conditions

UTU and ÅAU offers you an exciting opportunity to freely pursue and develop your own research concepts. Both universities prioritise well-being by offering, for example, occupational health care services. You will also have access to diverse university services to support your work and professional development, and we will help you grow a competitive career profile with an inspiring work environment and community. We invest in your work well-being and promote work-life balance, for example, by offering flexible working hours and comprehensive well-being and support services. Please read more about UTU and ÅAU as an employer from our ‘Come work with us!’ (UTU, ÅAU) pages.

The full call for applications can be found at:

https://immufellow.fi/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMMUFELLOW_Call_for_Applications_2026.pdf