The University of Oulu (https://www.oulu.fi/university/) in Northern Finland, with approximately 15 000 students and 3000 employees, is an international, multidisciplinary research university with a rich pool of creative and intellectual talent. The strengths of the University are broad, multidisciplinary research interests, a modern research and study environment, and wide cooperation with international research and educational institutes.

The open postdoctoral position is in the broad field of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), in the following specific topic: Ultrafast multidimensional Laplace NMR (ERC Consolidator Grant project)

The position is located at the NMR Research Unit (http://cc.oulu.fi/~nmrwww), in the Faculty of Science. We are an internationally established, combined experimental and theoretical team of about 20 people, of which 50% with a PhD degree. We develop experimental, theoretical and computational research methods based on magnetic resonance phenomena and apply those methods to topical problems in molecular and materials sciences. Our particular strength is in the tight connection between state-of-the-art measurements and calculations. We have an open and encouraging working atmosphere and have a substantial track record in successful funding applications both at the Academy of Finland and in EU programs. We are a key user of the NMR laboratory facility of the University of Oulu, furnished with five high-field spectrometers (300-600 MHz) suited for an unusually broad variety of studies (wide range of nuclei, gas/liquid/solid, different sample sizes, imaging capabilities, diffusion probe, micro CryoProbe, remote detection, spin-exchange optical/parahydrogen-induced/SABRE hyperpolarization), two portable low-field instruments as well as nuclear magneto-optic instrumentation. CPU-intensive computational research is carried out mainly using the facilities of the national supercomputer centre (2300 TFlop/s total capacity). Local linux clusters belonging to the Finnish Grid and Cloud Infrastructure are used for high-throughput production calculations.

Subject field and description of the position

The postdoctoral position is a part of the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant (CoG) project Ultrafast Laplace NMR. The project aims to significantly shorten the experiment time of multidimensional relaxation and diffusion experiments and, at the same time, improve sensitivity by several orders of magnitude by modern hyperpolarization methods. This enables one to observe fast molecular processes in real time, and much lower concentrations become detectable. The method has many interesting applications in various disciplines, including chemistry, biochemistry and medicine. In addition, it has potential to contribute significantly to the development of advanced, cost-efficient, low-field and mobile NMR techniques.

The length of the position is two years. The starting date of the position is May 1, 2020, or as soon as possible thereafter. A six-month trial period will be effective in the beginning of the two-year contract.

Required qualifications and assessment

The successful applicant must have a completed PhD in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related field. The applicants must show a visible scientific profile. Significant experience in the method development of experimental NMR spectroscopy is to be documented. In addition, the project requires computer experience and mastery of at least one relevant programming language (e.g., Fortran, C++, Python, Mathematica, Matlab).

Fluent English, good communication skills and good teamwork skills are required. Further, demonstrated potential in acquiring supplementary (extramural) funding, and teaching experience will be taken as a merit when choosing the scientist. When assessing the applicant’s qualifications, issues to be considered will include scientific publications, thesis supervision, activity in the scientific community, practical familiarity with the field in question, scientific work abroad, and other international activities.

As part of the NMR Research Unit, the duties also include supervising scientific research of BSc, MSc and PhD students. Participation in teaching within the physics curriculum and acquiring research funding are naturally expected.

Salary

The salary will be based on the levels 5-6 of the demand level chart for university–level teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (maximum of 50% of the job-specific component). The salary is thus in practice roughly 3500–4000 € per month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.

Application Procedure

The following documents must be attached to the application:

1) Brief curriculum vitae in English

2) List of publications in international peer-reviewed journals

3) Brief description of research merits

4) Brief (1-2 pages) research and action plan in English

5) Contact information of two persons whom may be asked to give a statement of the candidate 

Applications, together with all relevant enclosures, should be submitted using electronic application form by 29.2.2020. The applications will not be returned.

Interview

The top candidates for the posts may be interviewed and asked to present their plans for running the post successfully.

For further information regarding the filling of this post:

Professor Ville-Veikko Telkki, NMR Research Unit, University of Oulu, tel. +358-29-448 1309, email: ville-veikko.telkki(at)oulu.fi