Doctoral researcher in hydrometallurgy

The Department of Separation Science at LUT University is hiring a junior researcher (doctoral researcher) for research on the impacts of certain impurities in hydrometallurgical separation processes, especially liquid–liquid extraction and/or ion exchange. The research aims to uncover how the impurities affect the separation materials (i.e., solvents and ion exchange resins) and the whole separation process.

Most of the research will be conducted within the project Finland-based circular ecosystem of battery metals, BATCircle3.0, funded by Business Finland. BATCircle3.0 is a consortium project focusing on promoting research, development, and business activities related to the Finnish value chain of lithium-ion batteries and battery metals.

Qualification requirements

We are looking for a curious and motivated person with an educational background in the field of chemical engineering or chemistry. Knowledge of and experience in hydrometallurgical separation methods, especially liquid–liquid extraction and ion exchange, are highly valued.

Applicants must have a master’s degree or the equivalent in a relevant field (e.g., chemical engineering, chemistry, or a closely related field), the ability to complete the doctoral degree within the normative duration of the studies for the degree, and a right to complete doctoral studies at LUT University. 

Junior researchers must submit an application for the right to complete doctoral studies including all required appendices to the LUT Doctoral School within the first two months of the employment relationship.

What we expect

• Understanding of the fundamental physicochemical phenomena in separation processes
• Knowledge of and/or experience in hydrometallurgical liquid–liquid extraction and/or ion exchange
• Excellent oral and written English skills 
• Experience in experimental laboratory work
• Dissemination of research results in, for instance, peer-reviewed scientific journals and conferences

What we offer

In addition to a competitive salary, the wide range of benefits that come with the job include a holiday bonus, generous annual leave, a research incentive scheme with personal rewards for high-quality publications, flexible working hours, occupational health care, a collegial working environment, and continued commitment to your support, learning, training, and development.

Employment relationship and pay

The employment relationship starts with a fixed one-year term including a six-month trial period. The contract can be extended by three years, provided that the studies and research have progressed satisfactorily in the first year.

The work will start in early 2025. The position is based at the LUT School of Engineering Sciences in Lappeenranta, Finland. Most of the work will take place in our Lappeenranta laboratories, with occasional tasks in LUT’s regional units in other Finnish cities.

The salary is based on the current collective agreement for Finnish universities. The typical gross annual starting salary for a junior researcher is approximately 32 500 euros.

Applications

The deadline for applications is 30 November 2024 at midnight, Finnish local time (UTC + 2h).

Please fill out the online application form and attach the following documents in English and in PDF format:

• Motivation letter highlighting your skills relevant to the position and describing why you are interested in and suitable for the position
• Curriculum vitae (CV) following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
• Scanned copies of your original bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates and transcripts of records; if the original documents are not in English or Finnish, each document must be accompanied by an official certified translation into English (or Finnish), and if the degree is still unfinished, provide an official estimate of your graduation date from your supervisor or school
• List of publications
• Contact information of two people who can provide references

Only applications that include the required documents will be considered.

Further information

Post-doctoral Researcher Niklas Jantunen, niklas.jantunen@lut.fi.

Read more about LUT as an employer and the LUT Doctoral School.   

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Technical support for using the recruitment system: recruitment@lut.fi.

Application period starts: 2024-10-24 15:00. Application period ends: 2024-11-30 23:59