The University of Oulu is an international scientific community, with 15,000 students and 3,000 employees. The wide multidisciplinary is a strength of the University both in education and research interests. The modern environment, world-class research infrastructures and extensive cooperation with international research institutes and private sector organizations provide excellent possibilities for research and innovation. More information https://www.oulu.fi/university/.

Industrial Engineering and Management research unit (https://www.oulu.fi/industrialengineering/) owns a highly international research environment. We are an enthusiastic and dedicated research team formed by 6 professors and around 30 other researchers. Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) combines technical know-how with business economics methods and understanding of human behaviour. IEM discipline analyses complex interdisciplinary phenomena and develops creative and sustainable solutions to organisations and value networks’ problems by combining and utilising the three aforementioned perspectives. IEM seeks connections between topics and issues. Phenomena are analysed as large entities, as specialised information alone is not enough to solve the complex problems that arise in the ever-changing and digitalising operating environment. The research in IEM at the University of Oulu focuses on the following areas: product management, project management, well-being at work and productivity and operations and supply chain management. The latest research information in the field is utilised in teaching, and research and education complement each other in daily activities.

Work description

We are now looking for a talented and motivated Postdoctoral Researcher for a 3-year position. Your research will concentrate on Industrial value chain development to enable higher inorganic side stream utilization. Your task is to carry out multidisciplinary work related to some of the following topics: Clean production ecosystems, sustainable business models, value and supply chains based on inorganic side streams, as well as technology productization and commercialization and product life cycle management.

You will carry out research work within a research team, publish research results in leading international scientific journals, take part in funding acquisition, contribute in teaching and supervision. In addition, the postdoctoral researcher may participate in administrative tasks of the research unit. You will work on research in university`s strategic research profile area called Inorganic Side Streams (InStreams). Your supervisor will be Associate professor (tenure track) Jukka Majava.

The position is funded by ‘Inorganic Side Streams: From basic research and technology development to sustainable value chains (InStreams)’ a scientific profile area of the University of Oulu. InStreams is a multidisciplinary research programme integrating knowledge to anticipate challenges in sustainable value chains. InStreams focuses on cross-disciplinary inorganic materials research and engineering and the management and utilization of inorganic side streams. It develops sustainable value chains and has high interest to put scientific research into practice. The InStreams profiling funds talented researchers from a variety of disciplines. Instreams profiling is part of the InStreamsHub research community of the University of Oulu. Further information about the InStreams from the webpage: www.oulu.fi/instreams.

What we expect

-         We are looking for a team player with solid research skills

-         You must have a doctoral degree in industrial engineering and management or in a closely related field. Please note that, your degree should be obtained within the last 10 years, latest by the start of the employment

-         We expect you to have knowledge in some of the following topics: production ecosystems, sustainability, business models, value chains, supply chains, technology productization and commercialization, product life cycle management

-         You should have good communication skills in both written and spoken English

Scientific publishing, demonstrated strong research background, experience in international collaboration and experience in university teaching and supervision will be used as selection criteria.

What we offer

-         You will become a part of a highly talented research group, that is working on strategically and globally significant research area

-         You will receive support from your team and supervisor, so that you can excel in your research

-         In addition to modern research facilities, we offer you personnel benefits such as occupational healthcare and affordable sport services

-         3-year position, beginning on September 1, 2020 (or as soon as possible thereafter). A six-month trial period will be applied to the position

-         The salary is in accordance with the university salary system (for teaching and research personnel, level 5 – 6). The typical salary for a starting postdoctoral researcher is €3,400 per month but may be larger for exceptional candidates depending on experience and qualifications

How to apply

Applications, together with all relevant enclosures, should be submitted using electronic application form by August 9th, 2020 at 23:59 (Finnish local time). The application should be written in English and include the following:

1)      A motivation letter (max. 2 pages) summarizing applicant’s professional experience and expertise and describing why applicant is interested in about this position. Also, information on personal research interests, experience and career plans are valuable to provide here.

2)      Curriculum vitae (max. 4 pages) in accordance with the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (http://www.tenk.fi/en/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae).

3)      List of publications based on the guidelines of the Academy of Finland (https://www.aka.fi/en/funding/apply-for-funding/az-index-of-application-guidelines/list-of-publications/)

4)      A research plan (max. 3 pages).

5)      Certificates/Diplomas: Scanned copy of the original doctoral degree certificate and transcript of records and, when necessary, official translations to Finnish or English.

6)      Contact information of two senior/experienced researchers who may be asked to give a statement on the candidate.

Top candidates will be invited to an on-site or remote interview.

Further information

Associate professor (tenure track) Jukka Majava

e-mail: jukka.majava@oulu.fi

tel.: +358 40 754 0131

Professor Harri Haapasalo

Head of the IEM research unit

e-mail: harri.haapasalo@oulu.fi

tel.: +358 40 5182275

Due to holiday season in July, please contact us with your questions during these time periods: 16.6. – 5.7. and 3.8. – 9.8.

City of Oulu

The Oulu region is home to over 200 000 people making it the largest urban centre in northern Scandinavia and one of the fastest growing regions in Finland. Oulu is a combination of beautiful, northern nature, vivid cultural life and modern technology. Oulu is also known for its highly-educated people and friendly, easy-going atmosphere. Find out more about Oulu: https://www.oulu.fi/university/living-in-oulu