Research Scientist, postdoc, computational plant genomics

Natural Resources Institute Finland / Luonnonvarakeskus; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Office in Jokioinen or Helsinki

Collaborative research environment

Research visits to international labs

Job summary

Luke in Finland is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join the Q-GEN project, developing quantum computing methods for genomics and multi-omics analyses in plants.

You will collaborate with Aalto University, work under senior researchers, and apply algorithms in simulated and real quantum environments, with an option to visit international partners and publish your findings.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field (bioinformatics, genetics, ML, data science)
• Experience analysing large genomic and/or multi-omics datasets
• Strong programming skills, preferably Python
• Experience working in Unix-based HPC environments
• Ability to work independently and in a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent written and spoken English skills

Responsibilities

• Identify bioinformatics problems suitable for quantum/hybrid approaches
• Develop new algorithms in collaboration with quantum physicists
• Apply methods in simulated and real quantum-computing environments

Skills

Genomics data analysis

Python programming

Unix HPC experience

Bioinformatics

Independent/team work

English proficiency

Education

PhD in bioinformatics/genetics/ML/data science

Tools

IBM Qiskit

HPC environments

Job description

Would you like to develop and apply cutting-edge methods in plant genomics? We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the Business Finland-funded Q-GEN project, which explores quantum-computing applications in biological data analysis.

The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to Q-GEN (Quantum Computing Applications for Future Genomes and Biomaterials), a project funded by Business Finland.

Rapid advances in sequencing generate vast, complex omics datasets that challenge traditional computational methods but are becoming essential across many biological domains. Quantum computing for bioinformatics aims to address key bottlenecks in high-dimensional optimization and structured learning through quantum and quantum-inspired approaches that are compatible with noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) constraints.

The successful candidate will join the Plant Genetics and Genomics team at Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke). The postdoctoral researcher will identify bioinformatics problems suitable for quantum and hybrid computational approaches, develop new algorithms in collaboration with quantum physicists at Aalto University, and apply the resulting methods in simulated and real quantum-computing environments.

The research will primarily focus on genomic and multi-omics analyses in plant species. Potential applications include (but are not limited to) gene-network estimation and multi-omics modelling.

The postdoctoral researcher will be supervised by Dr Tuomas Hämälä and Dr Daniel Fischer at Luke and will collaborate closely with Professor Ilkka Tittonen’s group at Aalto University. The position will be based at a Luke office in either Jokioinen or Helsinki. The work will also include research visits to international collaborators.

Our expectations of the applicant

• a recently completed doctoral degree (typically no more than 5 years ago) in a relevant field, such as bioinformatics, genetics, machine learning, or data science
• experience in analysing large genomic and/or multi-omics datasets
• strong programming skills, preferably in Python
• experience working in Unix-based high-performance computing (HPC) environments
• ability to work independently as well as part of a multidisciplinary research team
• excellent written and spoken English skills

Experience with quantum-computing platforms, such as IBM Qiskit, and with machine learning will be considered an advantage. We will also consider the quantity and quality of the applicant’s scientific publications, particularly those related to bioinformatics, plant genomics, machine learning, and quantum computing. Finnish-language skills are considered an advantage.

Additional information

Research Manager, available 15.10 at 9-11 and 15-17 and 16.10 at 9-11 and 15-17

[phone]

Senior Scientist

[phone]

Senior Scientist, available 9.10. at 12-16, 16.10. at 12-16 and 23.10. at 12-16