Research Managers to the InFLAMES Flagship (up to two positions)

We are looking for up to two Research Managers (temporary positions).

The InFLAMES Research Flagship (https://inflames.utu.fi/) at the University of Turku (https://www.utu.fi/en) is seeking to appoint up to two highly motivated and collaborative Research Managers to support the development, competitiveness, and long-term impact of the flagship’s research and innovation activities. The Research Managers will support InFLAMES research funding, partnerships, project management, and innovation activities. Responsibilities may be distributed according to the selected candidates’ experience and complementary expertise.

The University of Turku is an international, multidisciplinary research and education organisation with a strategic focus on Health, Diagnostics, and Drug Development. The InFLAMES Flagship is a major research and innovation initiative funded by the Research Council of Finland. It brings together the University of Turku, Åbo Akademi University, and the wider ecosystem, including more than 400 university researchers and strong research infrastructure (such as Turku Bioscience Centre https://bioscience.fi/ and Turku PET Centre https://turkupetcentre.fi/) to advance immunology, innovation, and collaboration with healthcare and industry partners. Working at InFLAMES, you will contribute to Finland’s leading immunology research environment. The positions are located at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku.

Job description

Key Responsibilities for the Research Manager position:

• Identify relevant funding opportunities and support the development, coordination and submission of competitive research proposals, including national and international consortium applications.
• Build relationships with funding agencies and strategic partners, and monitor relevant funding and policy developments.
• Support researchers and projects throughout the research lifecycle, including planning, implementation, reporting, impact assessment, and the development of effective project and portfolio management practices.
• Develop collaborations with academic, healthcare, industry, public sector and international partners, and represent InFLAMES in networks that strengthen research visibility, competitiveness and impact.
• Support knowledge transfer, innovation, commercialisation and stakeholder engagement to maximise the societal and economic impact of InFLAMES research.

Who we are looking for

You should have the following:

• Doctoral degree (PhD) in immunology or another relevant field.
• Experience in preparing, coordinating, or supporting competitive research funding applications.
• Understanding of the research funding landscape, particularly European and international funding programmes.
• Experience supporting research projects, project management, or research administration.
• Strong organisational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in complex environments.
• Ability to work collaboratively with researchers, institutional leadership, external partners, and other stakeholders to develop competitive research initiatives.
• Excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of Finnish is not required.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience with Horizon Europe or other major international funding programmes.
• Experience or interest in innovation, translational research, commercialisation, or industry collaboration.
• Knowledge of research policy, open science, or research impact assessment.
• Experience mentoring or developing others.

We value collegiality and promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We encourage all qualified applicants with different backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Benefits

• This is an exciting position within a dedicated InFLAMES Impact Team with two experienced Research Managers and additional professionals, including a Project Manager, Research Coordinator, and Communication Specialist.
• There is meaningful work supporting world-class research and innovation in a collaborative and multidisciplinary working culture.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression in research management and leadership.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

We take care of your well-being at work and the functionality of your everyday life, e.g. with the help of flexible working hours and our well-being services.

• Possibilities to develop your expertise – We encourage our personnel to develop their professional expertise by offering versatile training and competence development possibilities which employees can take advantage of during their working hours. Also, many courses at Turku Open University are free of charge for our personnel.
• Your well-being is important to us! – In addition to comprehensive occupational health care, our own well-being services monitor, support and develop the well-being of our personnel. You are entitled to use the CampusSport’s services at a personnel price.
• We support your work-life balance – Flexible working hours and extensive remote work options help you balance work and leisure time. 
• An inspiring and supportive work community – We encourage each other and value working together!

Please read more about University of Turku as an employer from our Come work with us! pages.

The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research quality label. The label is a token of the University's commitment to continuous development of the position and working conditions of researchers according to the guidelines set forth in the European Charter for Researchers. 

The university offers good support and orientation for international hires. Please learn more about the Finnish culture and relocation to Finland:

• City of Turku
• Welcome visitor
• International House of Turku
• Working culture: infoFinland.fi
• This is Finland
• Careers in Southwest Finland
• Finland - a superpower of education and innovations | University of Turku (utu.fi)

The University of Turku is among the top of the world’s universities in most rankings and among the best universities in the world in certain fields. Our high-quality basic research, a multidisciplinary research profile and close cooperation in research infrastructures creates the basis for international top research. Read more about University of Turku in international university rankings.

The University of Turku has several high-quality research infrastructures required for cutting-edge research. Learn more about the roadmap of research infrastructures and how the research infrastructure and expert teams offer tailored solutions for businesses and organizations.

Salary and trial period

The salary for the post is determined according to the University salary system for teaching and research personnel. The job demand level is 7 and consists of a task-specific salary and personal work performance component. At the beginning of the employment period, the salary ranges from approximately 5,000 € to 5,400 €/month, depending on the qualifications, skills and experience of the selected person(s).

A probation period of six (6) months will apply.

The preferred start date for the position is as soon as possible. The position is fixed-term until 30 June 2028. There may potentially be a possibility to extend the position after this fixed-term period.

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 17 August 2026 at 16:00 (Helsinki/EEST).

Please write your application and accompanying documents in English.

Please include the following information in your application: 

• A motivation letter (max. 1 page)
• CV (max. 2 pages)
• Contact details for at least two referees who have given their consent to the applicant (name, workplace, e-mail address)

Further information

For further information about the position, please contact Impact Director of the InFLAMES Flagship Academician Sirpa Jalkanen (sirjal(at)utu.fi or +358 40 566 9611) or InFLAMES Research Manager Jarkko Koivunen (jarkko.koivunen(at)utu.fi or +358 50 449 4932).

If you need help with the application process, please contact HR Specialist Anne Jackson (anne.jackson(at)utu.fi until 3 July 2026 and then again from 10 August onwards. At other times, you can contact InFlames Project Manager Kaisa Hakkila (kaisa.hakkila(at)utu.fi)..

The University of Turku is a responsible employer and educator and follows The Equality Plan of the University of Turku approved by the University Board.

The InFLAMES Flagship (Innovation Ecosystem based on the Immune System) is a joint organization of the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University aiming at being an internationally recognized, top-level, immunological research and development cluster that will be globally attractive both for researchers and business partners. We are part of the Academy of Finland's Flagship Programme.

The Faculty of Medicine is a high level, international and innovative research and education unit in biomedicine, clinical medicine, dentistry and health and nursing sciences, as well as a major social contributor to health promotion, disease genesis, in the research of diagnostics and treatment and in the development of the health service and education system. The faculty provides research-based multidisciplinary undergraduate education in educational programs that educate diverse and critically minded specialists. The research is multidisciplinary and results in new information aimed at promoting the health of the population and better patient care.

The University of Turku is an inspiring and international academic community of 25,000 students and staff in Southwest Finland. We build a sustainable future with multidisciplinary research, education, and collaboration. With us, your work will have a significant impact and relevance in the changing world.

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