Postdoctoral Researcher in bio-based materials synthesis for electrochemistry application (supercapa

Åbo Akademi University is an internationally acknowledged research university with an extensive responsibility for providing education in Swedish in Finland. 

Åbo Akademi University offers a position as postdoctoral researcher in bio-based materials synthesis for electrochemistry application (Supercapacitors and Lithium-ion batteries) within the Research Council of Finland-funded project Conceptualization of Biomass-based Materials for Environmental and Energy Storage Systems (Bio-Adsorb&Energy). This is a fixed-term position for 36 months, starting on February 1, 2025, or as soon as possible.

RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT 

The Faculty of Science and Engineering at Åbo Akademi University provides education within natural sciences, biosciences, pharmacy, chemical engineering, and information technology. The position as postdoctoral researcher is placed at the Laboratory of Industrial Chemistry and Reaction Engineering: https://www.abo.fi/en/industrial-chemistry-and-reaction-engineering-research-and-personnel/.

DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION

The work tasks of a postdoctoral researcher are comprised primarily of research intended to deepen and expand the field of research. For this position the research is within the scope defined by the Bio-Adsorb&Energy-project. The work tasks include teaching and supervision up to 10 % of the working hours. The postdoctoral researcher will be a member of a collaborative research team, and the position is located in Turku. 

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to work with us on the project “Conceptualization of Biomass-based Materials for Environmental and Energy Storage Systems (Bio-Adsorb&Energy)”, which is related to the bio-based materials synthesis through thermochemical processes (hydrothermal carbonization and pyrolysis) for energy storage systems and water decontamination. The work involves the use of several biobased wastes to turn them into functional materials to be employed as electrodes for batteries and supercapacitors as well as adsorbents with high ability to adsorb a wide range of pollutants from waters.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATION

The postdoctoral researcher is required to hold a doctoral degree in electrochemistry, materials engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry or physics. As a rule, the time elapsed since taking the doctoral degree should not exceed four years (a copy of the diploma of a doctoral degree should be submitted in the application).

When assessing the applicant’s qualifications for the position, the following criteria will be taken into consideration:

• Scientific competence (70%), including achieved academic merits and scholarly publications in the relevant scientific field, relevance of the research plan for the goals in the Bio-Adsorb&Energy-project, and previous participation in research projects. Applicants should have excellent knowledge on thermochemical processes, i.e. hydrothermal carbonization and pyrolysis, for biomass-based materials synthesis as well as in electrochemistry (lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries). Research experience on adsorption process liquid/solid phase is considered a merit.
• Interactive competence (20%) including administrative experience, co-operative skills, the ability to interact with the surrounding society, as well as international collaboration within the relevant research field.
• Pedagogical competence (10%), including teaching and supervision experience, experience in teaching planning and development, university pedagogical studies or equivalent.

Excellent oral and written skills in English are necessary for successfully managing the duties of the positions.

The applicants can be invited to an interview. The successful applicant will be appointed following a general assessment of the competence in relation to the assignment. 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

The postdoctoral researcher’s salary is based on Levels 5–6 of the job demand levels for teaching and research staff. In addition, an individual salary component based on personal work performance is added to the salary. Please see salary chart for teaching and research personnel. 

The total working hours for teaching and research personnel are 1612 hours per year. The work tasks are defined in detail in an annual work plan. A trial period of six months applies to all new employees.

APPLICATION

The application should be submitted electronically via the university’s recruitment system no later than November 29 at 3.00 pm (Finnish time zone). Guidelines for the electronic application can be found here: https://www.abo.fi/en/about-abo-akademi-university/come-work-with-us/instructions-for-submitting-an-application/

The application should include the following appendices in English:

• A research plan that describes the research interests and research background in relation to the goals of the Bio-Adsorb&Energy-project (maximum 1500 words)
• A CV prepared in accordance with recommendations of the Finnish National Board in Research Integrity (TENK): https://tenk.fi/en/advice-and-materials/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae including a complete list of publications: https://www.abo.fi/en/about-abo-akademi-university/come-work-with-us/instructions-appendices-in-applications-reserach-and-teaching-staff/
• Publications in support of the application. The publications are listed with links to the online version, alternatively appended in .pdf-format. 
• Doctoral degree-certificate
• Two letters of recommendation 

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information regarding the position, please contact Academy Research Fellow Glaydson Simoes dos Reis (email: glaydson.SimoesdosReis@abo.fi). For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR-specialist Anna Lübchow (email: anna.lubchow@abo.fi).

Åbo Akademi University is actively working for gender inclusion and increased diversity.

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