Repost from: https://www.aalto.fi/en/open-positions/postdoctoral-researcher-in-catalyst-development-and-testing

Aalto University is a community of bold thinkers where science and art meet technology and business. We are committed to identifying and solving grand societal challenges and building an innovative future. Aalto University has six schools with nearly 11 000 students and nearly 400 professors.

We are now looking for a talented and motivated POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER in Catalyst development and testing at the Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering.

The School of Chemical Engineering is one of the six schools of Aalto University and is located in the Otaniemi Campus (Espoo, Finland). In the Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, the Catalysis research group lead by Prof. Riikka Puurunen develops solid heterogeneous catalysts and evaluates their performance in test reactions relevant to the sustainable use of natural resources. The group aims for fundamental understanding of structure-activity relationships and strives towards more openness in science & teaching. Scientific publications by the group can be viewed in research.aalto.fi. See the webpage of the group for more information: http://aalto.fi/cmet/catalysis.

 Job description 

The open postdoctoral position is related to catalytic hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) by sulfided transition metal catalysts. The research will comprise at least the participation in the designing and building of a continuous flow reactor for catalytic experiments; design, preparation and characterization of catalysts; activity measurements; project management; and research activities depending on the preferences by the successful candidate. Postdoctoral researchers participate in advising doctoral candidates and master’s thesis students and contribute to university teaching. Also promoted are writing scientific publications and participation at international scientific meetings.

The project has access to the research infrastructures in Bioeconomy, RawMatTERS and OtaNano(Nanomicroscopy center). The project is funded by the company Neste, https://www.neste.com/about-neste.

Qualifications

The successful candidate should preferably have a doctoral degree in chemical engineering or in a related area. Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English, the ability to work independently as part of a group in an international environment, as well as good organization and data management skills are required. The candidate should possess some of the appreciated skills/requirements:

• Hands-on experience with high-pressure flow reactors
• Knowledge of heterogeneous catalysis, including experience in synthesis and characterization thereof
• Experience with sulfided transition metal catalysts
• Experience with modelling software (e.g. Matlab)

We offer

The planned starting date is March 1, 2020 or as mutually agreed. The duration of the employment is minimum one year with a possible extension. Salary is determined according to the salary system of Aalto University and depends on the candidate’s experience. The contract includes occupational health care benefits.

How to apply

Please submit the following documents through our online recruitment system using the link “Apply Now”. Application materials should be submitted in English.

1. Motivation letter (max 2 pages: describe your motivation, scientific interests and career goals, and mention your earliest possible starting date)
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV), including previous experience, relevant skills for the position, and list of publications. You may, if you wish, follow the CV guidelines by the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK)
3. Highest degree certificate and transcripts of studies (with clear explanation on the grading scale)
4. Contact details (affiliation, email, telephone) of minimum two references. (Optionally, two reference letters can be sent directly to Riikka Puurunen (firstname.lastname@aalto.fi) by the writer of the recommendation.)

Provide the files as pdf and name them as HDNpostdoc_YourSurname_.pdf. If you wish to provide additional materials (not obligatory), please send them in a separate file called HDNpostdoc_YourSurname_SupplementaryInfo

The call is open until December 15, 2020, but we will start reviewing the applications immediately and the position may be filled before the end of the call. 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.

Further information

For more information on the position, please contact the principal investigator of the project, Prof. Riikka Puurunen (email: firstname.lastname@aalto.fi). For more information on the process, please contact HR coordinator Alice Björklund (email: alice.bjorklund @ aalto.fi) The group can be followed in Twitter and Instagram (@AaltoCatalysis).

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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Posted by Riikka Puurunen