Aalto University is a community of bold thinkers where science and art meet technology and business. We are committed to identifying and solving grand societal challenges and building an innovative future. Aalto University has six schools with nearly 11 000 students and nearly 400 professors. Our campus is located in Espoo, Finland.

Doctoral candidate position is available in the research group led by Prof. Janne Ruokolainen in the Department of Applied Physics, School of Science, Aalto University in Espoo, Finland.

This is a Early Stage Researcher Position in the EU Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Project POLYSTORAGE-ETN, Grant Agreement No 860403.

POLYSTORAGE ETN aims to develop high-quality training opportunities Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) in the area of “Polymers for Next Generation Electrochemical Energy Storage”. The final objective is the training of materials scientists, who will be the future scientific leaders, to face some of the upcoming European energy and environmental challenges. Well-balanced combination of fundamental and basic material and polymer science with applied research in advanced energy storage devices is a key aspect of this training network. A comprehensive training programme has been designed at two levels including local activities, such as enrolment in PhD programmes, local courses, etc., and network-wide activities, such as sectorial secondments, six workshops, two schools and one final conference. The goal of the project is the exploitation of the high number of potential synergies between innovative polymers and next-generation energy storage technologies, such as post-lithium batteries, redox flow batteries, and all-polymer batteries. (http://www.polystorage-etn.eu/)

Description of Individual ESR project in Aalto University

Title: High-resolution morphological characterisation and 3D imaging of self-assembly polymer electrolytes and copolymer micellisation

Description:

The objective of this PhD study is the morphological characterisation and 3D imaging of self-assembling polymer electrolytes and copolymer micellisation, including (i) nanoscale structure characterisation using high-resolution instrumentation (e.g., HR-TEM, liquid-helium cryo-TEM, 3D-imaging using dual beam FIB-SEM, and AFM), (ii) material characterisation by small-angle X-ray and XRD methods, (iii) cryo-TEM study of the redox-active diblock copolymer micellisation and the stability of the polymeric micelles. This project will also include synthesis of block copolymers during the secondment visits.

Expected results:ESR will learn high-resolution structural analysis methods, such as microscopy methods (HR-TEM, cryo-TEM, cryo-STEM, FIB-SEM, AFM) and X-ray diffraction methods (SAXS, WAXS, thin-film XRD). ESR should be able to perform high-resolution 3D imaging on solid or liquid polymer samples and energy storage devices.

Host institution and PhD enrolment: Aalto University (Finland) (https://www.aalto.fi/en)

Main supervisor:                Prof. Dr. Janne Ruokolainen ([email protected])

Additional Mentors:         2^nd mentor Prof. Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert (Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany) ([email protected])

                                                  3^rd mentor Dr. Carlos Guerrero Sanchez (Chemspeed Technologies AG, Switzerland)

Planned secondments:

In addition to the individual scientific project, the fellow will benefit from further continuing education, which includes secondments. In this project, the following secondments are planned:

1. Secondment: 2 months at Uppsala University (Sweden), Topic: Synthesis of ABC-type block copolymers;

2. Secondment: 3 months at Friedrich Schiller University (Germany), Topic: Synthesis of multiblock copolymers containing a redox-active block;

3. Secondment: 3 months at Chemspeed Technologies AG (Switzerland),Topic: Structure-property relationships.

Requirements:

• Bachelor Degree on Physics, Chemistry, Material Science
• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Physics, Polymer Physics, Polymer Chemistry, Material Science, or equivalent relevant research experience. The degree must be obtained before the beginning of the contract but you can apply before.
• Expertise in Polymer synthesis, Polymer Physics and knowledge in block copolymers is beneficial.
• Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences.
• Excellent organisational and team-working skills.
• Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and accuracy within work.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Application should include (all documents in English):

• Letter of motivation (max. two pages)
• Curriculum vitae of at most 3 pages. Europass C.V. format preferred (https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/documents/curriculum-vitae)
• Educational certificates: Bachelor degree, including class ranking if possible. Master degree (or equivalent), including class ranking if possible.
• Names of at least two references who are willing to write a letter of recommendation on the candidate’s behalf (they may be contacted by us)
• Any other relevant documents

Please send your application as a single PDF file by 29^th of February 2020 through the link “Apply now!” at the bottom of this page.

We offer:

• To become part of a highly motivated, international, dynamic young project team
• To benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops and conferences in addition to the individual scientific PhD project

Additional Information

ESR eligibility criteria:There are strict eligibility requirements for the ESR PhD positions. Please ensure that you qualify before applying, as ineligible candidates cannot be considered.

Researchers

• MUST be in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers and not yet have been awarded a doctorate. This 4-year period is measured from the date of obtaining the degree which would formally entitle to embark on a doctorate.
• MUST NOT must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Finland for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their start date of the contract. Compulsory national service, short stays, such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.

For more information on MSCA-ITN, visit https://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/

Applicants must confirm and be prepared to provide evidence that they meet the Marie Skłodowska -Curie eligibility criteria as specified above.

English language: It is a requirement that applicants will show that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficient for them to derive the full benefit from the network training, and to embark on a doctorate at a university.

The Marie Sklodowska-Curie programme offers highly competitive and attractive salary and working conditions. The successful candidates will receive a salary in accordance with the Marie Skłodowska -Curie regulations for early stage researchers. Exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment.

The vacant position is limited to 4 years. The position offers the possibility to graduate as a PhD.

The Aalto University is committed to ensuring an environment that provides equal opportunities and promotes diversity as well as a good balance between university and family life. As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to increase the number of women working in the field advertised.