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Doctoral Researcher In The Field Of Lignocellulose Chemistry

Published date a month ago
Posted: a month ago
Company Aalto University
Company: Aalto University
Location Espoo
Location: Espoo

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 13 000 students, 400 professors, and more than 4 500 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, 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 School of Chemical Engineering is one of the six schools of Aalto University. It combines natural sciences and engineering in a unique way.

We are now looking for a

Doctoral researcher in the field of lignocellulose chemistry

Are you interested in doctoral studies and working towards the future biorefineries? We are now looking for a motivated co-worker to the team that is passionate about forest resources, biomass, wood polymers, materials and their future perspective.

Your role and goals

The candidate will be working in a project that is centered around chemical cleavage of bonds in forest biomass. The aim is to reveal reaction mechanisms and their efficiency in order to aid selection of chemical means to release material streams from forest biomass and to establish pretreatment strategies for resource and energy-efficiently release the resources for materials engineering. The aim for the doctoral candidate is to become an expert in lignocellulosic chemistry.

The project will be executed in tandem with a project that explores enzymatic defibration routes. Hence, the work is done in a collaborative setting. The position is available immediately, but the starting date can be negotiated to several months ahead.

Your network and team

The position is open in the research group Lignocellulosic chemistry headed by Prof. Tiina Nypelö.

The laboratories are situated within the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems. The department of Bioproducts and Biosystems (Bio2), one of the three departments in the School of Chemical Engineering at Aalto University, has an internationally leading reputation in basic and applied research for the development of advanced materials from natural resources. It is one of the leading European research and higher education institutions in the field of sustainable chemistry and engineering based on the utilization of renewable resources. Bio2 aims to contribute to the development of novel solutions to move towards sustainable primary production and processing systems that can produce materials with fewer inputs, less environmental impact and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Within bioscience, the department has research in bioprocess technology, molecular biotechnology, enzyme technology, metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, biomolecular, and biohybrid materials. Other strengths of the department include sustainable materials and products based on lignocellulose, ranging from nanomaterials to novel cellulose-based textiles.

The project runs within FinnCERES flagship program future biorefinery theme (https://www.finnceres.fi/research-themes) and Emission free pulping program in collaboration with industrial partners and VTT.

Your experience and ambitions

The candidate is expected to have:

  • Recently obtained MSc degree in chemistry, forest products, or similar

  • Good written and oral communication skills in English

  • Interest in working in the laboratory, carrying out experiments, measurements, and data analysis

It would be an asset if the candidate also has:

  • Good understanding of wood structure and chemistry

What we offer

If you are chosen for this position, you will apply for the study right in doctoral studies at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering. Thus, please check the student information and admission criteria at  https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-options/aalto-doctoral-programme-in-chemical-engineering. In particular, please pay attention to mandatory skill level in English.

The doctoral studies at Aalto University take approximately four years. The candidate will be granted a one-year contract with possibility of extension. The expected starting salary for a Doctoral Researcher is about 2540 €/month and will increase with responsibilities and performance over time.

Our facilities are located at Aalto University Otaniemi campus in Espoo, Finland. The employment contract includes occupational health care, and Finland has a comprehensive social security system. Aalto University provides excellent learning and development opportunities, and a commuter ticket benefit.  Unisport offers versatile sports facilities and exercise services with a staff discount.

Ready to apply?

If you want to join our community, please submit your application through our online recruitment system no later than 04.06.2023 by using the link on Aalto University’s webpage (“Apply now”). If you are an Aalto employee, please apply via Workday system (internal jobs).

To apply, please include the following documents in English and as a single pdf document:

  • 1 page motivation letter specific to this project

  • 1 page description of previous relevant research experience and studies

  • CV with a possible list of publications and the title of your MSc thesis

  • List of references that we may contact

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 our new virtual campus experience:  https://virtualtour.aalto.fi/.

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Tiina Nypelö (tiina.nypelo(at)aalto.fi). In recruitment-related questions, please contact HR Partner Noora Katisko (noora.katisko(at)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: For international staff | Aalto University  

Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, to extend the application period, and to consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.

More about Aalto University:

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