Together, Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences form a higher education community that places faith in people and scientific knowledge. Leading experts in the fields of technology, health and society are changing the world at Finland’s second largest multidisciplinary higher education institution.

Applied Optics Group at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences is led by Prof. Juha Toivonen and is part of Physics Unit. We investigate and develop advanced optical spectroscopy techniques to monitor, e.g., atomic and molecular concentrations in scientific and industrial applications. In addition to develop faster, more sensitive, and more precise optical measurement techniques, our key ambition is to demonstrate the novel techniques in practical applications and promote the commercialization of the developed techniques.

Job description

We are looking for a motivated student to do Master’s Thesis on laser analysis of soil carbon. Soil is the second largest carbon storage on Earth after the oceans. Thus, it is a key factor in the global carbon cycle. Laser-based analysis enable fast on-site soil carbon monitoring that provides information for soil scientists and farmers to develop novel carbon farming methods and, on the other hand, it produces information and feedback for climate models. The goal of the Thesis work is to implement Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) on carbon detection in different soil types and create calibration model for quantitative soil carbon monitoring. The work will consist experimental laboratory work, data analysis, and modelling weighted by the preferences of the candidate. The work is performed at Photonics Laboratory, Tampere University in Tampere. The work will be part of Tampere University’s Hiili-Laser – Carbon-LIBS development project in Hiilestä Kiinni – Catch the Carbon program by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Our research and development goals are ambitious, and so are the anticipated techniques and tools to be applied. However, we do not expect you to be a master of everything when you start: your concrete tasks will be tailored based on your previous knowledge and current interests. So, do not hesitate to apply!

Requirements

We expect you to have 

• Bachelor degree in physics or related engineering sciences 

We appreciate the following:

• Basic understanding on optical technologies / spectroscopy 
• Interest in environmental research and development 
• Possibly some experience with electronics and programming 

We offer

A full-time working contract will be made for 8 months. A part-time contract is possible if the student has overlapping course work. The expected starting date is as soon as possible, as mutually agreed upon by both parties. A trial period of six months applies to all our new employees.

The salary will be based on both the job demands and the employee's personal performance in accordance with the University Salary System. The position of Research Assistant is placed on the job demand level 1 (the demand level chart for the teaching and research staff). In addition, employees will receive performance-based salary. The salary will be defined accordign to the applicant´s 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.

We are inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, active and truly international research community. Interdisciplinarity is highly encouraged, as it allows you to expand your research network and exposes you to new perspectives and ideas to solve complex research problems and pursue novel research findings. We have a strong commitment to the highest level of scientific research and the provision of high-quality doctoral education.

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is August 31, 2021 (at 23:59 EEST / 20:59 UTC). Applications and all accompanying documentation should be written in English, and in PDF format. Please note that applicants may be invited to participate to an interview throughout the application time and therefore we encourage to apply as soon as possible.

Applications should include the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae according to TENK template 
• Certificate of a Bachelor degree
• Transcript of studies
• Motivation letter (incl. research directions)

For more information, please contact: Jan Viljanen, tel. +358 50 4684016, email: jan.viljanen (at) tuni.fi, or Professor, Group Leader Juha Toivonen, tel. +358 40 8490490, email: juha.toivonen (at) tuni.fi

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Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat korkeakouluyhteisön, joka uskoo ihmiseen ja tieteeseen. Tekniikan, terveyden ja yhteiskunnan huippuosaajat muuttavat maailmaa Suomen toiseksi suurimmassa monitieteisessä ja innostavassa tutkimus- ja oppimisympäristössä.

Soveltavan optiikan ryhmä hakee diplomityön tekijää.

Soveltavan optiikan tutkimusryhmä keskittyy vaativiin optisen spektroskopian menetelmiin atomi- ja molekyylipitoisuuksien monitoroimiseksi erilaisissa yhteiskunnan toimintojen kannalta merkittävissä toiminnoissa ja sovelluksissa. Uusien, nopeampien ja tarkempien tekniikoiden tutkimuksen ja kehittämisen lisäksi keskeinen pyrkimyksemme on osoittaa näiden menetelmien toimivuus myös todellisessa käyttöympäristössä sekä edistää kehitetyn teknologian kaupallista hyödyntämistä.

Tehtävänkuvaus

Diplomityötekijän tehtävät koostuvat kokeellisesta laboratoriotyöstä, mittausdatan käsittelystä sekä numeerisesta mallintamisesta. Diplomityö on osa Hiili-Laser -hanketta, jonka tavoitteena on kehittää laser-indusoituun hajoitusspektroskopiaan (LIBS) perustuva maaperän hiilipitoissuden mittausmenetelmä. Kokeellisen ja laskennallisen työn painotusta voi muokata opiskelijan oman mielenkiinnon mukaan.

Hakuohjeet

Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta.

Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta). Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 31.8.2021 klo 23.59.