PhD in 3 years: Two Doctoral Researchers in CIMANET - Circular Materials Bioeconomy Network

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 3,600 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based education to build a more sustainable, smarter, and more humane world. The University of Oulu community has about 17,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations.  

We are looking for two highly motivated and talented 

Doctoral Researchers 

for the following topics: I) Sustainable electronics derived from cellulose nanomaterials (Position I), at the Fiber and Particle Engineering Research Unit, and II) Sustainable tannin coagulants with tailored structural features for industrial water treatment (Position II) at the Chemical Process Engineering Research Unit, at University of Oulu, Finland, under the national CIMANET - Circular Materials Bioeconomy Network.

Anticipated starting date: January 1st, 2025. Application deadline: September 15th, 2024.

Background

Circular Materials Bioeconomy Network (CIMANET) is an interdisciplinary doctoral education network to support the renewal of the bio-based industry through new sustainable materials and processes. CIMANET is part of the doctoral education pilot program established by Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture, providing scientific and technological competences to promote sustainable growth. It strengthens the knowledge base required to enhance the Finnish forest and bio-based industry with novel solutions unveiling the full potential of biomass. CIMANET consists of nine universities: Aalto University, Hanken School of Economics, LUT University, Tampere University, University of Helsinki, University of Jyväskylä, University of Oulu, University of Turku, and Åbo Akademi University.

CIMANET operates in close collaboration with the industry, research organizations, as well as other stakeholders to create economic and societal impact by addressing the major challenges of our century: resource sufficiency, access to clean water, and climate change. CIMANET starts in 2024 and provides altogether 67 doctoral researchers funding for three years. Check out all the open positions at the CIMANET pilot website.

As a partner in the CIMANET programme, the University of Oulu is dedicated to ensuring you have a carefully planned and guided doctoral research education which will be tailored to support your career plans, enabling you to continue into demanding expert positions in the changing job markets in industry, the public sector and academia.

Job description

Position I. Sustainable electronics derived from cellulose nanomaterials (Supervisors: Prof. Henrikki Liimatainen and Dr. Sami Myllymäki)

The project focuses on sustainable electronics in which the major materials, i.e. plastics and metals, are replaced with their renewable counterparts. For this purpose, nanocellulose substrates are harnessed to engineer disposable electronic structures and devices such as antennas, sensors, reflecting surfaces and wearables.

Specific qualifications: Background related to cellulose/soft materials and electronics is a benefit.

Position II. Sustainable tannin coagulants with tailored structural features for industrial water treatment (Supervisor: Prof. Tiina Leiviskä)

Coagulants are used in water treatment to enhance particle settling and to remove specific dissolved compounds. Bio-based coagulants provide a sustainable alternative to current coagulants (i.e. Fe and Al coagulants, synthetic polymers). Especially, tannin-based coagulants have gathered increased commercial interest due to their low cost, abundance, simple modification procedure in mild reaction conditions and good coagulation performance. However, concerns arise from using toxic reagents in the modification. This doctoral training project will aim to develop green synthetic routes for aminating tannin by replacing toxic modification reagents with eco-friendly substitutes. Another aim is to develop products with improved flocculation properties and tailored structural features (particularly varying molecular weight and charge density properties) and this allows for a wider use of tannin coagulants. The relationship between the structural properties of resulting tannin derivatives and their coagulation performance (efficiency, broad pH range, stability, selectivity, minimal sludge generation, compatibility/interference with other treatment processes) will be investigated by using advanced characterization techniques.

Specific qualifications: Background related to organic chemistry is important. In addition, knowledge on water treatment processes and characterization techniques is a benefit.

General qualification requirements

The chosen Doctoral Researchers are expected to apply for doctoral study rights at the University of Oulu Graduate School. Eligibility for study rights will be evaluated during the job application process and the candidates must fulfill the following criteria:

1. Must hold a master's degree or equivalent degree (e.g. licentiate). Undergraduate students are eligible to apply provided their Master’s or equivalent degree is finished by December 31st, 2024.
2. Must have achieved a good grade in their degree (i.e. at least 60 % of the maximum grade in both taught courses and the master's thesis)
3. Must be able to demonstrate good English language skills in speech and writing that are sufficient to follow doctoral studies.

In addition, the candidate will be working as a part of a larger, multidisciplinary group, and should have the ability to take own initiatives and collaborate with industrial and research partners.

What we offer

• You will receive support not only from your team and supervisor but also from the university´s wide variety of support services so that you can excel in your studies and research/work.
• A competitive salary is paid monthly, which includes paid leave and an additional holiday bonus in the summer.
• The employment contracts are based on a total working time of 1 612 hours per year, which gives the doctoral researchers freedom to plan their working hours.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and close-ones in settling into Oulu.
• We have a HR Excellence in Research -quality label which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers.
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, excellent education system, and competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Position and salary

Doctoral Researchers selected in the pilot programme will by default be offered a three-year (36 month) fixed-term full-time employment contract by the University of Oulu. These positions are available for highly motivated and talented researchers wishing to undertake and complete training for a research-focused doctoral degree, starting January 1st, 2025. A six-month trial period is applied in the position.

The salary of the selected doctoral researchers will be paid monthly. The starting gross salary (before taxes) will be roughly 2600-2800 € / month for the fulltime employment. Later the salary follows the YPJ salary system of Finnish Universities.

How to apply

Applications, together with all relevant enclosures, should be submitted using the electronic application form by September 15th, 2024 (23:59 Finnish local time). The application should be written in English and include the following:

1. Certificates/Diplomas Scanned copy of the original relevant Master’s degree certificates (or Bachelor’s degree certificate for undergraduates) and transcript of records and, when necessary, official translations to Finnish or English.
2. A motivation letter (max. 2 page) summarizing applicant’s research experience, analytical method skills, relevant work experience and career plans describing why applicant is interested in this position.
3. Curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages) CV of the applicant, including a list of any peer-reviewed scientific publications (with full reference details). A recommended CV template can be found on the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity
4. A valid certificate of language proficiency.
5. Letters of recommendation (optional).

Please indicate in your motivation letter which Doctoral Researcher position you are applying (Positions I or II).

Note: Only applications containing all relevant appendices and submitted through the online recruitment system will be considered. Applications received after the call deadline will not be considered.

Further information

For further information, please contact: 

Prof. Henrikki Liimatainen (henrikki.liimatainen@oulu.fi, https://www.oulu.fi/en/researchers/henrikki-liimatainen) (Position I) 

Prof. Tiina Leiviskä (tiina.leiviska@oulu.fi, https://www.oulu.fi/en/researchers/tiina-leiviska) (Position II).