Staff Scientist in Rheology

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 12 000 students, 400 professors and close to 4 000 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.

Aalto University’s School of Chemical Engineering (CHEM), Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems (Bio2), is now looking for a

Staff Scientist in Rheology

Are you passionate about rheology and looking for a possibility to have an impact on the development of biobased sustainable materials?

We are looking for a candidate with a solid theoretical and experimental background in rheology with the competence and interest to develop rheological methods further and train and give theoretical support to users from various backgrounds.

In this position you will be able to collaborate with experts in fields like textile technology, biopolymers and colloid chemistry as well as lignocellulosic nanomaterials and biomolecular materials. Combining your rheology expertise with the ongoing materials development and molecular understanding of biomaterials available at the department you will be able to develop new sustainable materials and processes. Via the FinnCERES materials bioeconomy competence center, LIBER center of excellence and Bioinnovation Center you have excellent possibilities for multidisciplinary collaboration. The scientific environment and the tools available enable you to make significant scientific developments in the field of rheology of biopolymeric melts, dispersions, and suspensions.

Your role and goals

Your role would be to maintain the rheology infrastructure, organize service of the equipment, train the users, and support our researchers in analyzing data. In addition, you would build a global network and participate in funding proposals and research. Spreading the knowledge of the possibilities of the methods within the school is one key task.

You are also expected to actively develop the techniques by means of academic research and actively collaborate with researchers at CHEM, and with internationally renowned rheology experts in the world. Many users need support that goes beyond the basic training of the use of the equipment. Hence you are expected to also assist in the planning of the rheological experiments and interpretation of the results to ensure high scientific level and impact of the rheological experiments performed at CHEM School. One important task is also to strengthen the relationship with industrial partners and establish research collaboration with companies.

The scientific environment

The Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems (BIO2) is an international leader in basic and applied research for the development of advanced materials from natural resources, including the entire value chain. The department uses its interdisciplinary approach to design and develop high performance fiber materials, nanomaterials and hybrids as well as functional interfaces derived therefrom.

A large number of research activities at CHEM involves polymer melts, biopolymer solutions, fibre suspensions, colloids, or emulsions. The understanding of the rheological properties of these systems is essential for many fundamental studies aiming at the modification and use of (bio-)polymers. Further, when targeting certain applications, the necessary processing often includes mixing, pumping, extrusion, coating, spraying etc. Each of these processes requires rheological tools to plan and design them. The school has a unique and comprehensive set of rheological tools including one MCR301, two MCR302 with optical accessories, an educational rheometer MCR72, Brookfield viscometers, and a capillary break-up rheometer (CaBER). At the beginning of this year a new high pressure capillary rheometer (Rosand RH7) was installed. This comprehensive set of rheological tools is unique in Finland.

Your experience and ambitions

We are looking for applicants who have

• PhD in physics, chemistry, chemical engineering or related field

• >3 years' experience in rheology measurements and research after PhD  

• Excellent written, oral, and communication skills, ability to communicate with scientific peers and the public

• International experience and connections to other rheology-focused research groups across Europe; preferably experienced in collaboration with industrial partners

• Excellent publication record of publications in peer-reviewed journals (both as collaborator or first/corresponding author)

What we offer

We offer a fixed-term position for 4 years with the possibility for tenure to permanent position. Salary is determined according to the salary system of Aalto University. Our facilities are located at Aalto University Otaniemi campus in Espoo, Finland. The planned starting date is 1.9.2022 or later in the autumn 2022 depending on the availability of the candidate.

The employment contract includes occupational health care and Finland has a comprehensive social security system. Aalto University provides excellent learning and development opportunities, commuter ticket benefit and Unisport offers versatile exercise services with staff discount.

Ready to apply?

If you would like to join our community, please submit your application through our online recruitment system no later than 31.7.2022 by using the link on Aalto University’s web page ("Apply now”).  If you are Aalto employee, please apply via Workday system (internal jobs).

To apply, please include the following documents in English and as one single PDF file:

• A motivation letter

• CV (including possible teaching or training experience and contact information of referees)

• A list of publications with five most important publications highlighted

• A brief research interest description (1-2 pages)

• Description of previous equipment responsibilities

For further information about the position, please contact Head of the Department, Professor Monika Österberg (monika.osterberg(at)aalto.fi). In recruitment related questions please contact HR Coordinator Tiina Torvinen (tiina.torvinen(at)aalto.fi).

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/services/about-finland   

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