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.

The Microbial Physiology group develops novel methods guided by computational models for harnessing microbial cells’ and communities’ metabolic capabilities for applications.

We are looking for a

Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Biology

Research description

The goal is to develop methods using computational models for developing yeast and methanogenic archaeal strains into biotechnological production hosts. In the case of methanogens, the models will be specifically used for designing strain engineering strategies for producing fuels from CO2. In case of yeast, the models will be used for guiding adaptive laboratory evolution of desired traits, extending a previously developed method (https://www.embopress.org/doi/full/10.15252/msb.202210980). Depending on the post-doctoral researcher’s background, experimental research may be included.

Research is carried out at our excellent facilities at Aalto University, School of Chemical Engineering (http://www.bioeconomyinfra.fi/). The laboratories are situated on the main campus of Aalto University in Otaniemi (short metro-ride from Helsinki) within the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems (https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-bioproducts-and-biosystems).

Your experience and ambitions

• A recently obtained PhD in a suitable field (within five years), such as computational biology, bioinformatics
• Metabolism, linear optimization, python programming
• Be highly committed to science and strive for excellence
• Develop own smart ideas and think independently
• Be able to focus on solving tough scientific problems
• Have good written and oral communication skills in English

Skills, knowledge, or interest in some of the following areas are highly appreciated:

• Microbial metabolism and in working with genome-scale metabolic models
• Analysis and processing of next-generation sequencing data
• Working in unix environments, and using computing clusters

What we offer

• High-end infrastructure and friendly colleagues
• Opportunity to join an uprising, ambitious research group
• Meaningful research topics and collaboration between different research groups
• Freedom to bring in own ideas

The position will be filled for 1.5 years (with the possibility of continuation). The expected salary of a postdoctoral researcher is approximately 3700-3900 EUR/month depending on experience.

Ready to apply?

If you want to join our community, please submit the following application materials as a single PDF document in English through the ’Apply’ link by Feb. 25th 2024:

• Cover letter (start as follows: “I am a suitable candidate for the position because … “)
• CV, incl. list of publications
• Research interest description (in maximum of one page)
• Names and contact details of references (or to be provided upon request)

Aalto University’s employees and visitors should apply for the position via the internal HR system Workday (keyword Find Jobs) by using their existing Workday user account (not via the external webpage for open positions).
Aalto University’s employees and visitors should apply for the position via the internal HR system Workday (keyword Find Jobs) by using their existing Workday user account (not via the external webpage for open positions).

For more information

For additional scientific information, please contact Prof. Paula Jouhten (firstname.lastname@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 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.
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