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The Biorefining and Energy research group at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences has been engaged in advanced biorefining and energy systems research. We have recently expanded our interest to encompass research on HydroThermal Liquefaction (HTL) and we are coordinating Black Liquor to Fuel by Efficient HydroThermal Application (BL2F) Horizon 2020 EU project (#884111). This brings us activities that will expand considerably our workload. Also, we are joining a development project 6Aika: ILPO project. We are building a state-of-the-art HTL pilot equipment, that is applied for the testing of various feedstock for bio-oil and biochar production at the customer sites.

Job description

The Doctoral Researcher / Research Assistant position focuses on modifying, operating, modelling and analysis of HTL process and reactions. The aim is to build strong understanding on the possibilities and capabilities of HTL test facility of several feedstocks, especially Black Liquor (BL) and different streams of circular economy. With BL the separation of cooking salts is an important aspect. The test facility will be modified to have salt separation capability. The process is studied in collaboration with research from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany), Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland) and VTT (Finland). In the ILPO project several feedstocks of circular economy are studied and analyzed. The research is made in close collaboration with industrial actors on the field (e.g. Valmet and Neste). The job includes also analyses of the feedstock and fluid, solid and gaseous products. The work includes PhD studies or Master´s Thesis studies, and the target is to do the main part of the thesis with in the project. Also, you will be integrated into a team of students and senior researchers with competences ranging from advanced energy systems to different bioconversion processes.

Requirements

The position is intended for recently graduated Master of Science on technology or for a student that is looking for place to do his/her Master’s Thesis. You should have a MSc degree in environmental engineering, biorefining or energy engineering, or a related subject area. For the position of a Research Assistant it is preferred, that you are in the final stage of your MSc studies. We expect a competence to pursue independent scientific work and adequate technical skills. You should be fluent in spoken and written English and have experience in mechanical engineering and biomaterials laboratory analysis, or chemical modelling and theoretical analysis, or biorefining. Previous experience and understanding on HTL process is a benefit. 

We appreciate experience of studying and/or working abroad and contacts to international research community. Additional experience in, for example, mathematical modelling, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), optimization, refining, catalysis, environmental assessment or economic analysis (e.g. LCA, TEA) are considered a bonus.

We are looking for a versatile and independent young Doctoral Researcher applicant with some background in biomass refining and conversion processes. The task of Doctoral Researcher includes 5 % of other teaching tasks. 

We offer

The position of Doctoral Researher will be filled for a fixed-term period of 3 years and the position of Researh Assistant will be filled for a fixed-term of 8 months. The planned starting day is as soon as possible. A trial period of six months applies to all our new employees or maximun half of the fixed-term period.

The salares will be based on both the job requirements and the employee's personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. The position of a Doctoral Student is placed on then job demand level 2 - 4 (teaching and research staff). A typical starting salary of a Doctoral Researcher is around 2300 e / month, whereas the salary of a Research Assistant is placed on the job demand level 1 and the performance is defined according gained study credits. 

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities on campus and several restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts. Please read more about working at Tampere University.

Biorefining and biomass conversions are recognized as leading-edge research areas of Finland. We offer a world-class research environment in collaboration with internationally recognized research groups. We have strong collaborative networks and offer great opportunities for researchers to develop their careers in an international setting. We work as a part of bio and circular economy research group of Tampere University https://research.tuni.fi/biocirc/ .

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 21st June 2020 (at 23.59 EEST / 20.59 UTC). Please write your application and all accompanying documents in English and attach them in PDF format.

Applications should include the following documents:

• •Curriculum Vitae according to TENK guidelines (https://www.tenk.fi/en/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae) 
• •List of publications according to Academy of Finland guidelines (https://www.aka.fi/en/funding/apply-for-funding/az-index-of-application-guidelines/list-of-publications/)
• •References from two people
• •Motivation letter (incl. research directions): 
  • 1-3 pages where you introduce yourself and present your qualifications. 
  • Previous research fields and main research results. 
  • Future goals and research focus. Are there any specific projects and research issues you are primarily interested in?

For more information, please contact:

Industry Professor, Tero Joronen, tel. +358 40 525 4718, tero.joronen (at) tuni.fi

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Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat yhdessä Suomen toiseksi suurimman monitieteisen, innostavan ja vaikuttavan tutkimus- ja oppimisyhteisön. Korkeakouluyhteisömme osaamiskärjet ovat tekniikka, terveys ja yhteiskunta. Lue lisää: www.tuni.fi

Bio- ja kiertotalouden tutkimusryhmä tutkii ja kehittää erilaisia kestäviä ja tehokkaista menetelmiä urbaanin kiertotalouden tarpeisiin.

Tehtävänkuvaus

Väitöskirjatutkijan/ tutkimusapulaisen tehtäviin kuuluu osallistuminen BL2F EU hankkeeseen (#884111), jossa pääasialliset tehtävät ovat tehdä koeajoja, muokata ja rakentaa HTL-prosessi, rakentaa prosessimalli ja validoida se mittaustulosten perusteella. Tutkimus toteutetaan yhteistyössä alueen merkittävien tutkimusryhmien ja yritysten kanssa. Tehtäviin kuuluu myös väitöskirjatutkimuksen tai diplomityön tekeminen suurelta osin. Väitöskirjatutkijan tehtävään sisältyy 5 % opetustehtäviä.  

Hakuohjeet

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Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 21.06.2020 klo 23.59