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 close to 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.

The Department of Chemistry and Materials Science is now looking for

A Doctoral Researcher in Soft Materials Modelling

for the Soft Materials Modelling group. The position is a funded doctoral student position in the Academy of Finland Center of Excellence in Life Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER) at Aalto University. LIBER operates across physics, chemistry, and biosciences in Aalto University - the sought person has the ability and willingness to drive high-profile, interdisciplinary research in a joint effort between experimental and computational / theory research.

Your background and expertise
In this position you will conduct computational and theoretical scientific research aiming at the completion of a doctoral degree and high impact scientific publications in the field of soft materials modeling. Focus areas involve polymer and colloid materials, biomolecular interactions with interfaces, and active and driven materials. Research methodology is molecular level modelling and statistical mechanics or thermodynamics approaches. The position also involves participation of departmental teaching and student instruction.

You have a Master’s degree with focus on soft matter physics or physical chemistry, or theory oriented polymer technology, biomaterials, or related field. We also expect you to have good study grades and you should demonstrate strong aptitude to research of especially soft materials systems. These include e.g., liquids, colloids, polymers, foams, gels, liquid crystals, and many biomaterials. You should have expertise in computational methods and background in molecular dynamics or Monte Carlo simulations. Expertise in both atomistic and coarse-grained detail is beneficial.

In this position, you need a strong mathematical background and good computer skills. In particular, the modelling makes use of linux/unix based high performance computing environments (HPC computing). You also need skills in statistical mechanics or thermodynamics and data handling.

What we offer
You will join the exceptional scientific environment of Academy of Finland Center of Excellence LIBER. Our main campus is located in Espoo, Finland, in the capital Helsinki region. Helsinki is the lively, dynamic capital of Finland with active international social scene, good opportunities for culture or outdoor activities, and reputedly high quality of living in general.

The first employment contract is made for one year, during which you will apply for the study right in doctoral studies at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering. 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 the mandatory skill level in English. Doctoral studies at Aalto University take approximately four years altogether. The starting salary for a doctoral candidate is 2600-2700 €/month.

The contract includes occupational health benefits and Finland has a comprehensive social security system.

How to apply
To apply, please submit your application at your earliest convenience but no later than 31.3.2024 through our online recruiting system by using the link provided.

Please note: Aalto University’s employees should apply for the position via our internal system Workday -> Internal Jobs by using their existing Workday user account. 

Please attach to the application in English and as PDF files

• A letter of motivation
• A complete curriculum vitae describing education and employment history, as well as, list of scientific publications
• Contact details of at least 2 possible reference letter writers

Evaluation of the applications may start immediately.

Additional information is available from Prof. Maria Sammalkorpi (firstname.lastname(a)aalto.fi).

More info about the LIBER Center of Excellence at https://www.libercentre.fi/ and about the Soft Materials Group at https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-chemistry-and-materials-science/soft-materials-modelling

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