Project Researcher in Material Chemistry

Åbo Akademi University is an internationally acknowledged research university with an extensive responsibility for providing education in Swedish in Finland. With its international research community and its strong Nordic ties, Åbo Akademi University has an acclaimed and recognized position within research and education both nationally and internationally. The Faculty of Science and Engineering develops solutions and processes to slow down climate change, promotes a cleaner environment and a healthier sea and finds methods to discover, treat and prevent diseases. Our goal is a healthy human in a sustainable society. Our research is done in cooperation with the industry, research institutes and other universities both in Finland and abroad.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering offers a postdoctoral position as project researcher. The position is funded by Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) via the project ‘Solar to Butanol – Solar Butanol Production by Solid-state Photosynthetic Cell Factories (S2B)’. The position will start as soon as possible, or per agreement, and last until 30.9.2028.

Background

The research profile Technologies for a Sustainable Future (TSF) is one of four profiling areas of Åbo Akademi University. TSF develops new technology that can be used to replace fossil raw materials with renewable resources such as biomass and solar energy. The goals are global and ambitious: to find technical solutions that will slow down the ongoing climate change and to contribute to a clean environment and sustainable society. Research at the Laboratory of Natural Materials Technology focuses on the utilization of bio-based building blocks in the development of current and future environmentally friendly products and processes. 

The 4-y S2B project is consortium of 8 organizations, where Laboratory of Natural Materials Technology at Åbo Akademi University is a partner. Nature-inspired emerging technologies are important to address current environmental challenges. S2B relies on photosynthesis, the most sustainable process in nature, to convert sunlight and CO2 into fuels and chemicals. Although the concept of direct solar conversion by photosynthetic cell factories is a step forward, the system still suffers from the inherent limitations of diluted suspension cultures, including low light-to-product conversion efficiency and energetically demanding downstream processes. The ambition of PhotoFactory is to unleash photosynthesis from its inherent limitations and improve the bioproduction efficiency of algae and cyanobacteria for manufacturing solar-driven products (high-value and commodity chemicals and biofuels) within the circular bioeconomy concept. To achieve this goal, PhotoFactory will merge expertise in photosynthesis and synthetic biology with additive manufacturing, nanotechnology, material science, and data science.

In this recruitment, we are primarily looking for a candidate with complementary backgrounds in the following field(s): material chemistry and physics, organic chemistry, analytical and electrochemistry, polymer chemistry and technology, chemistry and chemical engineering. 

Description of the position

The candidate selected for the postdoctoral position as project researcher will be employed for the duration of the currently funded project, until 30.9.2028. The employment can start as soon as possible or per agreement. The researcher will be placed at the Laboratory of Natural Materials Technology, Faculty of Science and Engineering. The position is located in Turku. 

Qualification and assessment

For the open positions, we are looking for motivated candidates with a degree in chemistry or chemical engineering or material science or other closely related field suitable for the position described above.

The qualification requirements and merits for the position are defined below and will together with the application be considered in the evaluation.

Qualification requirements: 

• Doctor’s degree in chemistry or chemical engineering or natural sciences or other field defined above.
• Excellent oral and written skills in English

Good knowledge in organic chemistry, materials chemistry, polymer technology, electrochemistry, additive manufacturing or wood chemistry are considered a merit.

The applicants are assessed on the basis of their study and research achievements, research plan and possible results of research in the relevant field or related subjects. During the selection process the applicants can be invited to an interview.

Terms of employment

The principle of total working time (1,612 hours per year) applies to employment as project researcher. The work tasks are defined in an annual work plan. The salary is determined in accordance with the general collective agreement for universities and is dependent on the final employment.

A trial period applies for new employees.

Application

Submit the electronic application form below (www.abo.fi/rekrytering), no later than October 18^th 2024 at 5:00 pm (Finnish time zone). Support for submitting the electronic application can be found here: https://www.abo.fi/en/instructions-for-submitting-an-application/.

The following attachments should be submitted:

1. A free-form application letter, clearly indicating motivation to pursue PhD or postdoc and conduct this research topic (max. 3 pages).
2. A list of max. three references and their contact details.
3. A CV in accordance with the recommendations of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity, TENK, including a full list of publications with links to the publications or to a file sharing system where the publications are stored.
4. A brief description of research experiences and research plan on Development of bio-based 3D scaffolds for photosynthesis. (max. 5 pages)
5. Copies of diplomas including complete transcript of records (BA, MA, MSc, PhD).

Contact details

For more information on the position, please contact Professor Chunlin Xu, email: chunlin.xu@abo.fi, and (about the application process) HR-specialist Anna Lübchow, email: anna.lubchow@abo.fi.

Åbo Akademi University is actively working for equal gender distribution and diversity across all personnel groups.

Tagged as: Research, development & R&D