2 Postdoctoral positions on Autophagy and Metabolism (McWilliams group, University of Helsinki, Finland)

The McWilliams Lab investigates physiological autophagy, a membrane-driven lysosomal degradation pathway essential for cell, circuit and tissue homeostasis. Impairments in autophagy and lysosomal function are causally linked to neurodegeneration and age-related pathology. We use integrative multiscale approaches to define the mechanistic interplay between autophagy and metabolism and determine how this relationship impacts neural integrity in health and disease. Our ultimate goal is to identify new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.

About Us

We work at the interface of discovery and translation within a well-resourced and internationally connected research environment. The PI is a Scholar of the FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence, and the lab is embedded in the Novo Nordisk Foundation EnergAge Consortium for Metabolic Aging and SWAN-Helsinki, with access to state-of-the-art instrumentation and core facilities. We value scientific rigor and a collaborative working culture.

The opportunity

We are recruiting two Postdoctoral Researchers to advance ambitious projects that dissect the molecular logic of circuit and tissue integrity. The projects build on our recent advances in brain aging (Rappe et al., The EMBO Journal, 2024), metabolic regulation (Long et al., The EMBO Journal, 2022), and human neurological disease (Collier et al., The New England Journal of Medicine, 2021). You will work with the PI and lab members to apply newly developed tools and leverage unpublished datasets to design and execute rigorous functional studies in vitro and in vivo. In addition to developing yourself scientifically within an internationally competitive environment, you will receive regular feedback and strategic mentoring to support research excellence, professional development, and preparation for your next career stage.

Application deadline: March 17th 2026