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 Biochemistry group (https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-bioproducts-and-biosystems/biochemistry) develops metabolic pathways and enzymes for biotechnological CO2 valorization. For a collaborative project, we are looking for a

Postdoctoral Researcher in Biochemistry / Enzymes

Research description

The goal is to functionally express and test key enzymes involved in the reductive acetyl-CoA pathway for the conversion of CO2 to fuels. The postdoc position is focussed on metalorganic enzymes, which require oxygen-sensitive cofactors harbouring reduced metal centres, such as Co or Ni. The actual research is on a fundamental level, but the goal is designing new routes to generate renewable fuels from CO2.

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.

Your experience and ambitions

• A recently obtained PhD in a suitable field, such as biochemistry, enzyme engineering, (bio)organic chemistry
• Enzymology, expression and functional studies of enzymes
• 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:

• Experience in working with oxygen-sensitive enzymes
• Experience with microbes and enzymes related to the reductive acetyl-CoA pathway

What we offer

• High-end laboratory infrastructure and friendly colleagues
• Opportunity to join an uprising, ambitious research group
• Meaningful research topic that is part of consortium involving different research groups
• Freedom to bring in own ideas

Funding for the position is reserved until March 2026. 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 interested in this position because… “)
• CV, incl. list of publications
• Research interest description
• 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).

For more information

For additional scientific information, please contact Prof. Silvan Scheller (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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