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 “Bioproducts From Nature” project, School of Chemical engineering/ School of Business

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to carry out research within our “Bioproducts from Nature” research project.  The 3-year project is a combined effort of the Aalto School of Chemical Engineering and Aalto School of Business, together with several external corporate partners. The primary responsibility for the project is at the School of Chemical Engineering, however, depending on the candidate, it is also possible to complete the PhD at the School of Business.

There is an urgent need to replace fossil- and animal-based raw materials and non-transparently sourced raw materials with locally sourced and refined alternatives. Even with increasing recycling, primary raw materials will continue to play a significant role in the economy. 

This project will build an industry-academy -ecosystem for establishing value chains and global businesses for these domestic extractive-rich raw materials. Essential oils, phenolics, and waxes that can be extracted from the raw materials above have application potential in various sectors, such as cosmetics, medical, healthcare, food, packaging, rubber and tire manufacturing, construction, coating, paper, and textile industries. In Finland, we have potential natural resources for both domestic wax and essential oil production, but we do not have an existing business ecosystem to commercially exploit this potential. In the BIO4P project, we envision a business ecosystem with a high potential in the Finnish industries.

We offer a multidisciplinary research environment and staff. The ideal candidate should have a strong interest in building start-up business models with major research input from renewable bio-based materials. 

Your experience and ambitions

As a successful applicant you should be highly motivated in applying business models to process research, having a solid background either in chemical and process engineering or in relevant fields of business studies. Industrial experience is highly appreciated.

What we offer

The salary is based on Aalto University’s salary system. The employment contract includes occupational health care benefits 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 Sunday 5.11.2023 by using the link on Aalto University’s webpage (“Apply now”). If you are an Aalto employee, please apply via the Workday system (internal jobs).

We will start processing the applications during the application period already. The position is available from November 2023 onwards.

Please include the following material in the application:

•  A letter of motivation (max. one A4)
•  CV (including list of possible publications)
•  A letter of recommendation or contact details of a possible referee
•  Transcript of university studies

For more information:

For further information about the position, please contact prof. Pekka Oinas ([email protected]).

The doctoral researcher applicants must fulfill the admission requirements for the Aalto Doctoral Programme in Chemical Engineering or in a relevant field at School of Business. The applicant is expected to apply for and to be granted a right to pursue doctoral studies at Aalto University in the next application cycle in the Spring of 2024. More information on the general requirements and the Doctoral Programs in Chemical Engineering and at School of Business:

https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-options/doctoral-programme-in-chemical-engineering .

https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-options/aalto-doctoral-programme-in-business-economics-and-finance

Specifically, pay attention to the mandatory required language skill in English language.

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/.

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.

Hakuilmoitus suomeksi löytyy täältä: Väitöskirjatutkija “Bioproducts from Nature” projektiin, Kemian tekniikan korkeakoulu / Kauppakorkeakoulu | Aalto-yliopisto

More about Aalto University:

Aalto.fi
twitter.com/aaltouniversity  
facebook.com/aaltouniversity
instagram.com/aaltouniversity