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 has six schools with nearly 11 000 students and a staff of more than 4000, of which 400 are professors. Our main campus is located in Espoo, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community. 

The Department of Chemistry and Materials Science has four focus areas: electrochemistry, functional materials, synthesis and modeling. Department professors are working on electrochemical energy storage and conversion, atomic layer deposition, carbon nanomaterials, optical materials, and molecular modeling of catalysis, thermoelectrics and thin films. We are also active in organic chemistry and polymeric materials.

The Department of Chemistry and Materials Science at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering invites applications for

Professor, Energy Materials and Thin Films

The position will be filled at the Assistant, Associate or Full Professor level of the Aalto University tenure track system. The contract is full-time and either fixed-term or permanent depending on its positioning on the tenure track.

We are looking for a dedicated professional with ambition for ground-breaking academic work in the field of inorganic thin film fabrication. The application areas of thin films we are interested in are related to electrochemical energy storage and conversion, for instance batteries and hydrogen technologies. Such fabrication technologies as atomic layer deposition (ALD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and physical vapor deposition (PVD) could be utilized. Functionality, interphases, and structure of thin films are of interest. The professor will collaborate with other research groups working in electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies and/or thin film fabrication techniques to solve challenging materials science problems.

Scientific environment

We offer inspiring community of experts in the closely related fields, such as electrochemistry, inorganic chemistry, microfabrication and molecular and transport modelling. Our chemistry and materials science research focuses from atomic and molecule level to functional systems while designing materials and devices for energy conversion is one of our research cornerstones. The unique competitive edge of the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science is the sustainability approach for designing more efficient functional materials with clear focus on electrochemical energy conversion and surface and thin film technologies which leans on access to world class research infrastructure (RAMI https://www.aalto.fi/en/school-of-chemical-engineering/rami-raw-materials-research-infrastructure and OtaNano https://www.aalto.fi/en/otanano). For more information, please visit: https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-chemistry-and-materials-science.

Your role and our expectations

As a professor, we expect you to establish a high-level research group in the field of Energy Materials and Thin Films. This requires capability to obtain external funding, supervise researchers and ability to collaborate with other research groups. We also expect you to teach in B.Sc., M.Sc. and doctoral levels on topics related to thin film technologies and materials including surfaces and interfaces.

We are looking for a future world class academic leader in the field of inorganic thin film technology focused on energy materials fabrication to represent this field in research and education. We expect you to have an international track record and a clear vision how to advance inorganic thin film technology for electrochemical energy conversion and storage applications with creative and innovative concepts. A modern experimental profile with knowledge on thin film fabrication and characterization technologies is essential while your ability to apply computational tools and contrite to the department’s excessive modelling activates can be considered as a bonus.

We particularly appreciate if your research directions are directly linked to some of the school’s core activities, such as solid electrolyte batteries or hydrogen technologies, you are committed to close collaboration with other research groups within Aalto University, as well as with other research organizations and industry, nationally and internationally. If you furthermore commit to the development of sustainable chemistry, you would be a great addition to our community.

A doctoral degree in materials science, chemistry, physics or in a related field is a prerequisite for the position while we appreciate experience on applying thin film fabrication and characterization technologies for energy conversion and storage applications. Proven ability or potential to obtain external funding and experience of researcher supervision is valued. Industrial collaborations are considered as a merit.

What we offer 

A possibility to work within a well-resourced learning community where the students are rigorously selected and highly motivated. This results in an unusually interactive and intellectually challenging atmosphere.  Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, where this position is located, has two active groups working on electrochemical energy conversion and storage applications and two groups working on inorganic thin film fabrication methods which will offer a stimulating environment for the professor and their research group. Aalto University’s OtaNano, including Micronova and  Nanomicroscopy Center, and Raw Materials Infrastructure (RAMI) offer world class resources for experimentall research.

The salary is determined based on the applicant's experience and qualifications. Aalto University provides its employees with occupational health care services and retirement benefits. Activities of the department are located in the Otaniemi campus of Aalto University in Espoo (Helsinki metropolitan area).

Finland is a healthy and safe living environment, offering many excellent state-subsidized services including affordable day care, free schools and universities, which are consistently ranked among the best in the world. More information about living and working in Finland https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/for-international-staff

Tenure track in Aalto University 

The position will be placed on the Aalto University Tenure Track. Individuals on the tenure track have the possibility to advance in their career through regular performance assessments, which take into account their merits in all areas of their scope of duty. Launched only in 2010, the tenure track has attracted a wide range of international applicants, giving Aalto University the possibility of recruiting top experts and young talent to join the Aalto University community. 

Throughout their careers, those in the academic tenure track system are expected to exercise and guide artistic/scientific research and/or artistic/design work, to provide related higher academic education, to follow the advances of their field, to participate in service to the Aalto University community, and to take part in societal interaction and international collaboration in their field. For more information on the tenure track system of Aalto University, please see https://www.aalto.fi/en/tenure-track. 

Ready to apply? 

If you want to join our community, please submit your application no later than 22.3.2023 through our recruiting system by using the "Apply" link.

If you are an employee or visitor at Aalto, please note: you should apply for the position via our internal system Workday (not via the external aalto.fi webpage on open positions). Use your existing Workday user account.

To apply, please share the following application materials with us in English and in PDF (the maximum size of each document is 5MB and the maximum number of documents is 5).

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae— please use the template recommended by The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity. Please also include names and contact information for references.
• List of publications, with the most significant publications highlighted
• Research portfolio—a concise (4-10 pages) reflection on the merits, long-term vision, and research plan.
• Teaching portfolio according to Aalto University’s guidelines—see Teaching portfolio guidelines for candidate

General instructions for applicants including evaluation criteria, language requirements and guidelines for compiling your CV are given at https://www.aalto.fi/en/tenure-track/interested-in-joining-our-tenure-track. 

Aalto University will use external reviewers to support the evaluation of applicants during the recruitment process and choose the most suitable applicants to visit the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science and deliver teaching demonstrations.

Further information

If you wish to hear more about the position, you can reach out to Professor Tanja Kallio. In questions related to the recruitment process, HR Partner Tiina Torvinen. Emails ([email protected]).

Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos: Aalto University – Towards a better world, Aalto People , and Shaping a Sustainable Future. You can also check out our webpage about Aalto and Finland: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/welcome-to-aalto-university-and-finland-info-package and check out our new virtual campus experience: https://virtualtour.aalto.fi/

About Finland 

Finland is a great place for living with or without family – it is a safe, politically stable and well-organized Nordic society. Finland is consistently ranked high in quality of life and was just listed again as the happiest country in the world: https://worldhappiness.report/news/its-a-three-peat-finland-keeps-top-spot-as-happiest-country-in-world/. For more information about living in Finland: https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/why-finland.

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