MSCA Doctoral Researcher in corneal stem cell / Väitöskirjatutkija (sarveiskalvon kantasolututkimu

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Are you passionate about working with stem cells or stem cell-based biomaterials? And eager to explore cutting-edge technologies like genome editing and in vivo imaging? Or are you perhaps fascinated by eye research and do you have an affinity for molecular, cellular and medical science? If so, come and join our STEM-CORE project and become one of the 14 doctoral candidates recruited from 9 European countries.

STEM-CORE, supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, aims to explore strategies to develop stem cell therapies and biomaterials, laying the groundwork for future cures to restore eyesight. As one of the doctoral candidates in STEM-CORE, you will receive comprehensive training to become a leading expert in regenerative medicine of the eye through interdisciplinary, intersectoral and international research. Additionally, you will develop valuable transferable and soft skills such as management, leadership and communication, positioning you for enhanced career opportunities and empowering you to make a meaningful impact on society. For details of STEM-CORE, please visit our website.

Job Description: MSCA Doctoral Researcher /Doctoral Candidate in corneal stem cell research.

Project title: Development of differentiation methods to produce corneal limbal stem cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells.

Place of employment: Tampere University, Finland: 36 months

Supervisory team: Professor Heli Skottman, Tampere University and Dr. Stefano Ferrari, Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto ONLUS, Italy

MSCA Doctoral Candidate at Eye Regeneration group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University Finland, will develop methods for differentiation and characterization of corneal limbal stem cells from human pluripotent stem cells. You will collaborate with other doctoral candidates in STEM-CORE through joint projects, secondments and network training activities. You will also have opportunities to develop your teaching skills via student supervision and curriculum teaching enabling you to get credit points for your PhD degree.

Planned secondment(s):

• Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto ONLUS, Italy (FBOV)(2 months): acquire competences in primary LSC isolation, culture, characterization methods.
• BioTalentum Tudasfejleszto Kft, Hungary (BIOT) (2 months): acquire competences in genome editing.
• Radbound University, Netherlands (1 month): learn scRNA-seq sample preparations, sequencing and data analyses methods.

We are looking for a talented, creative and highly motivated researcher. Recruited researcher can be of any nationality. Doctoral Candidate must be eligible to be enrolled into Doctoral Program at Tampere University and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. The candidate must also comply with the respective employers’ requirements in Finland.

Expected starting date: Latest on August 3rd, 2026.

Duration of the work contract: 36 months/full-time contract

Trial period: 6 months

Target degree: PhD degree from Tampere University, Finland

Approximate gross salary: In Finland about 3950 EUR/month plus family allowance if applicable. The salary will be defined in accordance with MSCA funding rules.

Requirements

Does this sound like you?

• You hold a Master’s degree in cell biology, cell technology, molecular biology or related field or you expect to obtain your Master’s degree before 1st of June 2026.
• You have experience in the following areas: Solid theoretical background in cell biology and hands on expertise with mammalian cell cultures, skills with molecular biology methods related to cell characterizations. Experience in human stem cell culturing, gene editing of cells and ophthalmic research is a plus but not required.
• You have fluent skills in work organization and time management, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• You bring curiosity and enthusiasm, enjoy thinking critically, communicate openly, and take initiative.
• You can work in a team as well as independently, and you are willing to undertake research internships in various European countries.
• Proficiency in written/spoken English is mandatory. In certain cases, we may ask for a language certificate.

MSCA Mobility Rule: at the time of recruitment by the host organization the researcher must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of his/her employer (Tampere University, Finland) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to his/her recruitment. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered.

We offer

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours and excellent sports facilities on campuses. Please read more about working at Tampere University.

Finland is among the most stable, free and safe countries in the world, based on prominent ratings by various agencies. It is also ranked as one of the top countries as far as social progress is concerned. Tampere is counted among the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries and offers a dynamic living environment. Tampere’s region is one of the most rapidly growing urban areas in Finland and home to a vibrant knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community. The city is an industrial powerhouse that enjoys a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a center of Finland’s information society.

Faculty of Medicine and Health technology is a vibrant multidisciplinary faculty integrating biotechnology, biomedical engineering and medicine with state of the art laboratories and facilities (Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology). Prof. Skottman laboratory: Eye regeneration group.

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities on campus and several restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts. Please read more about working at Tampere University.

For more information on Tampere and Finland, please visit:

• VisitTampere
• Visit Finland
• InfoFinland

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 12th March 2026 (at 23.59 EEST / UTC +2, Finnish time). 

Please note that we do not accept applications submitted by e-mail. We only consider applications and documents submitted to the Laura recruitment system.

The applicant must submit the following documents through LAURA portal, only a clear copy of the documents will be considered. 

• Certified copies of the bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates with the Diploma Supplement (DS) as approved by the EU Commission for degrees completed in European universities (when applicable) 
• Official translations into English (if the original documents are in a language other than English)
• Curriculum Vitae/CV (preferably in Europass format)
• List of publications (if any) and description of your contributions in the publication.
• References: Contact details of 2 or more referees included in the CV.
• Motivation letter: maximum 1 page where you introduce yourself and present your qualifications; you may include also your previous research fields and main research results. Please emphasize your motivation to join our group as well as future goals career-wise.

Please also note that we will begin evaluation of the applicants immediately after submission and we are conducting interviews soon after the application period, so early applications are encouraged. This allows us to get to know candidates as soon as possible and keep the process moving efficiently. Please apply at your earliest convenience!

Please read more about STEM-CORE selection procedure here: Job opportunities: 14 PhD candidates within the STEM-CORE project | Radboud University.

For more information, please contact: heli.skottman@tuni.fi. 

Please note that there is limited availability between 27th of February until 11th of March and thus earlier contact is encouraged. If any urgent matters during limited availability contact meri.vattulainen@tuni.fi.

Tagged as: Research, development & R&D