Are you looking to join a dynamic, innovation-driven, international company, building a better future for us all? UPM leads the forest based bioindustry into a sustainable, innovation-driven, and exciting future. The competence, integrity and drive of our people make us unique. We live by our values – trust and be trusted, achieve together, renew with courage.

We are now looking for a Researcher to our Pulp Research and Innovations team in Lappeenranta, Finland. Researcher will join our team and EU funded project for 4 years. UPM offers fixed term contract.

Research and development is a vital part of UPM’s transformation and “Beyond fossils” strategy. In this strategy we aim to replace non-renewable materials with renewable, recyclable and low-impact alternatives - the main drivers for a sustainable bioeconomy. Our global network of research centres supports our businesses and these development goals. We enhance the competitiveness of existing businesses by finding solutions to increase resource efficiency, reducing costs and developing new products. Our three spearheads for growth are:

• Specialty packaging materials – combining our expertise in specialty papers, barriers and adhesives.
• High value fibre – leveraging our forest and pulp knowhow.
• Molecular bioproducts – turning to chemistry for new applications like biofuels, biochemicals and biomedicals.

With major investments into biorefining and next generation biochemicals and biofuels, polymers and molecular bioproducts are increasingly important in our company and R&D strategy.

Greetings from your future manager

“We are looking for an open-minded researcher with diverse research experience to support our interdisciplinary team of inspiring R&D experts. You will work closely with our R&D experts and academic partners in various tasks related to research and development, laboratory, and piloting. In a cross-functional team, we ensure everyone works as one to achieve success and develop expertise in research and product development.” –  Janak Sapkota, Senior Researcher, R&D and Technology

What you’ll do.

• Participate in research and new product development projects
• Develop both existing analytics and new methods especially for modified fiber materials
• In collaboration with colleagues, make work plans and instructions for the work between the research, laboratories, and piloting operations
• Interpret laboratory results, make conclusions and report the results to internal and external co-operation partners and colleagues

Who you are

• You have a doctoral degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, polymer chemistry, polymer physics, or similar, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline
• You have basic knowledge on enzymes/proteins that act as biological catalysts
• You have documented practical experience on design and modification of lignocellulosic materials and characterisation demonstrated with 2 reference letters and 1-2-page research statement attached to application
• You enjoy working interdisciplinary and interacting and collaborating with researchers from different academic and industrial institutions
• You are a self-motivated and persistent team player
• You are fluent in English (not only for academic writing but also for oral communication)
• Finnish language skill will be considered as an advantage

This is what we offer for you

• Meaningful job: We are proud of what we do. Our work highlights the expertise of our personnel, the high quality of our products and the company's values.
• Inspired and motivated teams: We offer a versatile and challenging work opportunity in our motivated and supporting work community.
• Development opportunities: With us you can build up your expertise. We provide opportunities to support your development throughout every stage of your career.
• Responsibility for people and environment: Our ethical principles embrace people as well as the environment. We are always striving to build a more sustainable future.

Additional information

This position is located in Lappeenranta, Finland. Lappeenranta is an international university city, a tourist destination, and a gateway between east and west with a special location on the southern shore of the fourth largest lake in Europe, Saimaa.

For further information please contact Dr. Janak Sapkota at janak.sapkota@upm.com.

This position is part of the EU funded BioUPGRADE Project: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/964764.

By submitting their application, the candidate accepts that his/her candidacy maybe evaluated by all members of the consortium.

Please apply via the link above and attach your CV, cover letter, two references and 1-2-page research statement by 19th of April 2021.

For support with submitting your application, please contact HR Service Center at contacthr.gl.recruitment@upm.com or +358204146600.

A security background check may be performed for those selected to UPM positions, in accordance with the company recruitment guidelines and the Security Clearance Act 726/2014.

UPM is a non-smoking workplace in Finland.

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