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 Textile Chemistry group (https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-bioproducts-and-biosystems/textile-chemistry ) focuses on environmentally friendly textile coloration and post-treatment, textile recycling, and eTextiles.

We are now looking for a

Doctoral Researcher in Textile Chemistry

Our Textile Chemistry group at Aalto has an opening for a Doctoral Researcher to develop an efficient color stripping method for textile waste and study the impact of the color stripping process on the quality of infiltrate (wastewater).  The research will be carried out in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems in the School of Chemical Engineering at Aalto University (http://bio2.aalto.fi/en/).

The research work includes:

• Conducting a comprehensive literature review on color-stripping chemicals
• Preparation and ageing of dyed textiles
• Color stripping with common pulp bleaching agents
• Analyzing the bleaching filtrate (wastewater)
• Assessing the re-dyeability of color-stripped fabrics

Requirements

• Suitable master’s degree with a background in textile, polymer, or applied chemistry (or related fields)
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills
• Excellent communications skills appropriate for interacting with other team members
• Strong commitment to teamwork and multidisciplinary collaboration
• Strong motivation with the mind-set of focusing on deliverables and getting the job done

What we offer

If you are chosen for this position, you will apply for right to study doctoral studies at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering. Doctoral studies at Aalto University take approximately four years. The candidate will be granted a one-year contract with the possibility of extension. The expected starting salary for a Doctoral Researcher is about 2600 €/month and will increase with responsibilities and performance over time.

We work in Otaniemi, Espoo. The Otaniemi campus is a thriving and connected community of 100 nationalities, 13 000 students and 4 500 employees. Life at the transformed campus is vibrant and filled with amazing architecture, calming nature, and a variety of cafes, restaurants, services and good connections along the metro line.

We prefer the selected candidate to be able to start as soon as possible, but the starting date can be negotiated.

As a Doctoral Researcher, you will participate in doctoral courses and conduct high-quality research under the guidance of the group leader. You may be involved in teaching activities in the department. You are responsible for communicating your scientific results in meetings and conferences.

For more information

For additional information about the position, please contact Prof. Ali Tehrani and Prof. Tapani Vuorinen (firstname.lastname@aalto.fi).

Ready to apply?

Follow the instructions carefully and submit a single pdf document (max. 10 pages in English) through the “Apply” link (not by email) no later than March 11, 2024.

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).

To apply, please include the following documents in English and as a single pdf document:

• Motivation letter specific to this project (1 page)
• Description of previous relevant research experience (1 page)
• CV with a possible list of publications and the title of your MSc thesis
• Master’s degree certificate and overall GPA
• English proficiency proof
• List of 2-3 potential references with their emails

Please introduce yourself briefly in your Motivation Letter and justify why you are a suitable candidate by highlighting your skills, knowledge, or previous experience in:

• Textile chemistry
• Color stripping or bleaching
• Analysis of infiltrate

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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