Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student), Development of Nanovectors for Cancer Immunotherapy

The Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, Department of Technical Physics

 

The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for a Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) position in the field of Development of Nanovectors for Cancer Immunotherapy at the Department of Technical Physics on the Kuopio campus. The position will be filled for a fixed term as from 1 October 2026 (or as agreed) to 31 August 2030.

Please find more information below and submit your application by 7 September 2026.

Role and salary

We are seeking a motivated Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) to join the Cancer immunotherapy utilizing multifunctional vector technology, PET imaging and metabolic MRI research project, which is funded by the Research Council of Finland. The cross-disciplinary consortium project aims to develop a novel preclinical immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The project combines photothermal therapy and radiotherapy to induce immunogenic cell death and enhance the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors. In parallel, the consortium is advancing state-of-the-art PET and MRI methodologies for monitoring therapy-induced cell death in preclinical animal models.

The successful Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) candidate will contribute to the development of multifunctional nanovectors that integrate the functionalities required for both therapeutic modalities. The development work includes also radiolabelling and characterization of inorganic nanovector systems.

As our new Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student), your responsibilities will include

• conducting research in accordance with the aims of the project
• developing inorganic nanovectors for combining photothermal therapy and radiotherapy
• performing physicochemical characterization of the nanovectors
• evaluating the functionality of the nanovectors in vitro and contributing to in vivo evaluation of the therapy
• coordinating practical activities with the other consortium partner
• reporting and creating high-quality scientific publications
• participating in the writing of funding applications.

The main duty of the Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) is to conduct research for the doctoral dissertation and to complete postgraduate studies.

The position will be filled for a fixed term as from 1 October 2026 (or as agreed) to 31 August 2030. The position will be filled for a fixed term due to the Doctoral Researcher’s (PhD Student’s) own doctoral dissertation work and studies. A trial period is applied to all new members of the staff.

The salary of the position is determined in accordance with the salary system for Finnish universities. The salary comprises two components: a job-related salary element and a personal salary element. For a Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student), the job-related salary element is based on levels 2–4 of the job requirement level chart for teaching and research staff depending on the stage of the applicant’s doctoral research and postgraduate studies. The personal salary element is 6–50% of the job-related salary element. At the beginning of the employment, the total salary will be approximately EUR 2,710–2,845 /month.

Our requirements and expectations

We require you to

• be eligible for postgraduate studies; i.e., to hold a Master’s degree in materials science, physics, chemistry, biomedicine or a related field, awarded by a university or by a university of applied sciences, or to have completed an applicable study programme abroad which in the awarding country gives eligibility for corresponding postgraduate education
• meet the student admission criteria for the LUMETO doctoral programme (Doctoral Programme in Science, Forestry and Technology, website)
• have a good command of written and spoken English.

Students in the final stages of their Master’s degree may also apply, provided that they complete their degree and deliver a copy of their degree certificate to the faculty by 15 September 2026.

Applicants who do not yet have the right to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Eastern Finland are not required to apply for study rights at the application stage. If the applicant is selected for the position and applies for postgraduate study rights, the selection will be conditional until the right to pursue postgraduate studies in the faculty’s doctoral programme has been granted. The application for postgraduate study rights is submitted through the Studyinfo (Opintopolku) service.

Other requirements

• good communication skills to facilitate collaboration within the consortium
• ability to work independently to formulate and solve research problems
• strong motivation for science and learning new things.

The following will be considered an advantage

• wide experience in the physiochemical characterization methods of nanomaterials
• previous experience in the development of radiolabeled nanovectors
• experience in working with cells
• knowledge of cancer biology.

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