Doctoral researcher in Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry

• The University of Helsinki is hiring a fixed-term (≈3.5 years) Doctoral Researcher in Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry to join the TRIM research group under Associate Professor Mirkka Sarparanta with a start in January 2026 or as soon as a suitable candidate is found.
• The project involves developing alpha-emitting radioligands including organic synthesis, radiolabeling development and characterization, in vitro and in vivo evaluation with PET/SPECT and biodistribution studies, presenting results, writing manuscripts, managing group facilities, and supervising and teaching laboratory courses (~5% of time).
• Applicants should hold an M.Sc. or equivalent in chemistry-related fields, have laboratory and organic synthesis experience (handling radioactivity and animals advantageous), possess good English skills, be willing to travel within the EU, and meet and apply for the University’s doctoral study eligibility within a six-month trial period.
• The starting salary will be approximately 2600–2800 €/month with a performance-based component, the university provides occupational health and other employee services, and the application deadline is 30 September 2026.

The University of Helsinki, founded in 1640, is one of the world’s leading universities for multidisciplinary research. The university has an international academic community of 40,000 students and staff members. The Department of Chemistry (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-science/faculty/chemistry) at the Faculty of Science carries out research on chemistry and its applications at an international level and provides academic teaching based on high-quality research.

Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry research at the department’s Tracers in Molecular Imaging (TRIM) research group led by Associate Prof. Mirkka Sarparanta is focused on the development of new molecular imaging tracers for positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and therapeutic radioligands for different biomedical applications including oncology, drug delivery and neuroimaging. In addition, we offer training at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Helsinki.

The Department of Chemistry invites applications for a fixed-term

DOCTORAL RESEARCHER

position in Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry under the supervision of Associate Professor, Dr. Mirkka Sarparanta. The successful applicant will join the TRIM research group at the Department of Chemistry and enroll in one of the doctoral programs at the University of Helsinki. The work is scheduled to start in January 2026 or as soon as a suitable candidate has been found. This is a fixed-term position of approximately 3,5 years.

Position description

The Research Council of Finland funded PhD project aims to develop new alpha-emitting radioligands for the treatment of multiorgan metastasis of cancer. Your work will involve organic synthesis, purification and characterization of radiolabeling precursors, radiolabeling synthesis development, radiolabeled compound characterization and biological evaluation of the developed ligands in vitro in cell models and in vivo in mouse tumor models with PET and SPECT imaging and biodistribution studies. You are expected to present your findings to collaborators and in scientific meetings, prepare funding applications for travel grants, as well as lead the writing of manuscripts for publication in international scientific journals. You will have shared responsibilities in management of the facilities of the research group. You are also expected to teach on the laboratory courses in Radiochemistry and supervise undergraduate student laboratory work accounting to approximately 5% of the working time annually.

Requirements

Motivated candidates with a M.Sc. degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Radiochemistry, Pharmacy, Biochemistry or other related fields are encouraged to apply. Prior experience in laboratory work, in organic synthesis and compound characterization is highly desirable. Experience in other relevant experimental methods, and in handling of radioactive materials and research animals are advantageous, but most importantly you should have a strong motivation for research in a highly multidisciplinary topic, enthusiasm to learn these methods and contribute ideas, and possess the ability to conduct your research independently while being an active member of an international research team. Good written and oral communication skills in English will be needed. Willingness and ability to travel within the EU for research visits is necessary as parts of the project will be conducted at collaborating laboratories in Sweden and Poland. Work necessitates handling of radioactivity. The selected candidate must meet the eligibility requirements for doctoral studies at the University of Helsinki (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/admissions-and-education/apply-doctoral-programmes) and prepare and apply for a doctoral study right within the trial period of 6 months.

Salary and benefits

The salary will be in accordance with the University salary system (for teaching and research personnel, starting level 2). In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The starting salary will be approximately 2600–2800 €/month.

The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care, sports facilities, and ample opportunities for professional development and language studies. The International Staff Services office (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/university/working-at-the-university) assists employees from abroad with their transition to work and life in Finland.

How to apply

Applications should include a CV (with possible list of publications included), a copy of your transcript records (the courses completed during your M.Sc. program), and a letter (maximum 1 page) with a description of your research interests and why you would be a suitable candidate for the project. Please send us an application that you have crafted yourself, reflecting your own capability and thoughts. Applications generated by AI do not meet our expectations.

External applicants, please submit your application via the Apply Now button.

Internal applicants, who have a helsinki.fi username and a valid employment/grant/visitor contract, please submit your application via the Employee login button.

The deadline for applications is September 30, 2026. Top candidates will be interviewed in October 2026.

A diverse and equitable study and work culture is important to the University of Helsinki. That is why we do our best to promote an inclusive university community. We encourage all qualified applicants from different gender identities, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and minorities to apply for the position. You can read about the accessibility and inclusivity of our university via this link.

Additional information

For further inquiries regarding the position, please contact Dr. Mirkka Sarparanta (mirkka.sarparanta@helsinki.fi).

For more information on the research group and principal investigator, see both https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/tracers-in-molecular-imaging and https://researchportal.helsinki.fi/en/persons/mirkka-sarparanta/.