Research Assistant, Target Discovery, Immuno-Oncology
Orion PharmaFinland4 days ago
Full-timeResearch, Science
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Job Description
About your role
Orion Pharma is making strategic investments in challenging R&D areas where our expertise can drive breakthroughs—particularly in cancer therapies. As part of this commitment, we are enhancing our oncology research capabilities by establishing dedicated Target Discovery teams within each of our oncology research units: Immuno-Oncology, Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC), and Cancer Genomics.
At Orion’s Immuno-Oncology (IO) unit, we are translating world-class science into novel life-changing immuno therapies to tackle one of the world’s toughest clinical unmet needs. In the pursuit of making innovative immuno therapies and to expediate our drug discovery efforts we have created a brand-new IO target discovery team within our IO unit.
This position, Research Assistant within IO target discovery team, is responsible for providing technical support in the laboratory.
Your Key Responsibilities
The responsibilities of this role include the following (including, but not limited to);
What We Offer
Please visit our website to find further information about our values and Orion as an employer https://www.orion.fi/en/careers/orion-as-an-employer/ .
Our expectations
To be a successful, ideally you should have the following educational and professional work experiences:
Please send your application with your CV, cover letter and salary request in English by November 9th, 2025.
For additional details, do not hesitate to contact Reetta Virtakoivu, Target Discovery Lead, Immuno-Oncology, Tel + 358 50 966 7942 on any of the following times (Finnish Time): 28th of October between 14-15, and 30th of October between 14-15 EET.
We typically review applications already during the application period and may start interviewing candidates before the application deadline. Therefore, we invite you to send your application as soon as possible.
Approved medical examination which also includes drug testing is required prior to the employment. We will also carry out a security clearance prior to the employment for the selected person.
Unit Description
Orion Pharma’s pharmaceutical innovations are created within its R&D organization. We employ around 400 top professionals in the field of drug discovery and development. We work globally: in Espoo and Turku in Finland, in Cambridge and Nottingham in England and in New York, NY, USA. Orion R&D and the Innovative Medicines business division are dedicated to making a transformation to become a global player in the pain and oncology therapy areas.
About Us
Orion Pharma is a globally operating Nordic pharmaceutical company – a builder of well-being for over a hundred years.
We’re home to more than 4,000 Orionees around the world, and we’re proud to be known as a responsible employer and a great place to work. At Orion Pharma, people are truly valued and trusted, encouraged to grow, and supported by a culture where every voice is heard. We appreciate each other, strive for excellence, and build the future.
Together we develop, manufacture, and market human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Our extensive portfolio includes proprietary and generic medicines as well as consumer health products. The core therapy areas of our pharmaceutical R&D are oncology and pain. Proprietary products developed by Orion Pharma are used to treat cancer, neurological diseases, respiratory diseases, and more.
We offer careers with a clear purpose: empowering people to live their lives to the fullest.
About your role
Orion Pharma is making strategic investments in challenging R&D areas where our expertise can drive breakthroughs—particularly in cancer therapies. As part of this commitment, we are enhancing our oncology research capabilities by establishing dedicated Target Discovery teams within each of our oncology research units: Immuno-Oncology, Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC), and Cancer Genomics.
At Orion’s Immuno-Oncology (IO) unit, we are translating world-class science into novel life-changing immuno therapies to tackle one of the world’s toughest clinical unmet needs. In the pursuit of making innovative immuno therapies and to expediate our drug discovery efforts we have created a brand-new IO target discovery team within our IO unit.
This position, Research Assistant within IO target discovery team, is responsible for providing technical support in the laboratory.
Your Key Responsibilities
The responsibilities of this role include the following (including, but not limited to);
- Culture of both primary and established mammalian cells
- Support immunology scientist with in vitro and ex vivo cell based assays
- Process blood samples by adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
- Analysis of samples employing specific techniques such as flow cytometry, cell sorting, qRT-PCR, western blotting, multiplex ELISA and incucyte assays.
- Assist in establishing and improving all procedures and required SOP documentation.
- Maintain high standards of recordkeeping, housekeeping and participate in routine laboratory decontamination
- Maintenance of laboratory equipment.
- Ordering laboratory consumables and maintain stock levels
What We Offer
- A chance to work with experienced scientists across Orion’s R&D.
- A dynamic and supportive work environment with opportunities for growth.
- The opportunity to contribute to innovative therapies that improve patients’ lives.
Please visit our website to find further information about our values and Orion as an employer https://www.orion.fi/en/careers/orion-as-an-employer/ .
Our expectations
To be a successful, ideally you should have the following educational and professional work experiences:
- At least 2 years of relevant laboratory experience working with human primary immune cells.
- Experience working with primary immune cells and cancer cells, and performing laboratory based cellular assays is a must
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
- Possess basic IT skills, preferably experience with Microsoft Office, Graph Pad Prism, Diva, and Flowjo
- Flow cytometry and multiplex ELISA experience are advantage
- Industry experience is an advantage, but not a requirement.
Please send your application with your CV, cover letter and salary request in English by November 9th, 2025.
For additional details, do not hesitate to contact Reetta Virtakoivu, Target Discovery Lead, Immuno-Oncology, Tel + 358 50 966 7942 on any of the following times (Finnish Time): 28th of October between 14-15, and 30th of October between 14-15 EET.
We typically review applications already during the application period and may start interviewing candidates before the application deadline. Therefore, we invite you to send your application as soon as possible.
Approved medical examination which also includes drug testing is required prior to the employment. We will also carry out a security clearance prior to the employment for the selected person.
Unit Description
Orion Pharma’s pharmaceutical innovations are created within its R&D organization. We employ around 400 top professionals in the field of drug discovery and development. We work globally: in Espoo and Turku in Finland, in Cambridge and Nottingham in England and in New York, NY, USA. Orion R&D and the Innovative Medicines business division are dedicated to making a transformation to become a global player in the pain and oncology therapy areas.
About Us
Orion Pharma is a globally operating Nordic pharmaceutical company – a builder of well-being for over a hundred years.
We’re home to more than 4,000 Orionees around the world, and we’re proud to be known as a responsible employer and a great place to work. At Orion Pharma, people are truly valued and trusted, encouraged to grow, and supported by a culture where every voice is heard. We appreciate each other, strive for excellence, and build the future.
Together we develop, manufacture, and market human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Our extensive portfolio includes proprietary and generic medicines as well as consumer health products. The core therapy areas of our pharmaceutical R&D are oncology and pain. Proprietary products developed by Orion Pharma are used to treat cancer, neurological diseases, respiratory diseases, and more.
We offer careers with a clear purpose: empowering people to live their lives to the fullest.
Key Skills
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