The Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems (Bio2) is at the forefront of forest products technologies and cutting-edge biotechnology. The research at Bio2 focuses on products derived from nature through engineering, green chemistry and biotechnological methods. Our department’s core competencies include synthetic biology, biochemical and biotechnical processing, the chemistry of lignocellulosic materials, pre-treatment and fractionation of biomass, downstream unit operations as well as the characterization and analysis of materials. Bio2 is internationally recognised for its multidisciplinary engineering education development in digitalised and online learning environments.
The Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems at School of Chemical Engineering of Aalto University invites applications for a tenure track or tenured position in
Lignocellulose chemistry and engineering
Aalto University is one of the few academic institutions in the world that offer comprehensive, researched-based teaching in the field of chemical fractionation/pulping technology of lignocellulose. This education, vitally important for the Finnish forest cluster, builds around a deep knowledge on the structure and chemistry of biomass, its components, and their behavior in the applied processes. To guarantee the future of top-level research and education in biomass fractionation technology and lignocellulosic chemistry we are seeking a motivated person to lead the research and education in the field and to renew the research in the area to meet current needs.
Job requirements
The candidate should have a doctoral degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry and research experience form the field of lignocellulosics and biomass refining. To be successful in leading this re-search the candidate needs to have a strong understanding of organic wood chemistry, industrial biomass conversion processes and the analytical methods used in the field. The ability to collaborate with partners from the industrial sector is essential.
A successful candidate should also be able to teach biorefinery processes and wood chemistry as well as lead the education in this field to address the needs of the society.
Experience from working in industry is an asset.
Applicants will be reviewed on the basis of their research achievements, teaching merits and activity in the scientific community in relation to their career stage.
The position will be filled at the Assistant, Associate or Full Professor level of the Aalto University tenure track system. The contract is full-time and either fixed-term or permanent depending on its positioning on the tenure track. The position has a competitive salary and seed funding for setting up a research team.
A person at any level of the tenure track is expected to perform world‐class research, to teach, supervise and mentor students and otherwise advance education, to be an active member of the international scientific community, and to demonstrate academic leadership. Career advances on the tenure track are based on scheduled performance assessments that take into account merits in all these areas. For more information on the tenure track system of Aalto University, please see https://www.aalto.fi/en/tenure-track.
What we offer
We offer a research-oriented environment, with highly functional laboratories and research infrastructure (http://www.bioeconomyinfra.fi/) and possibility to work within a well-resourced learning community where the students are rigorously selected and highly motivated.
Aalto University provides its employees with occupational health and retirement benefits. Finland is a healthy and safe living environment, offering many excellent state-subsidized services including affordable day care, free schools and universities, which are consistently ranked among the best in the world. For more information about living and working in Finland, see https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/for-international-staff. Activities are located in the Otaniemi campus of Aalto University in Espoo (Helsinki metropolitan area).
Ready to apply?
If you want to join our community, please submit your application through our recruitment system by November 30, 2021. (If you are already working at Aalto, please apply via our internal system Workday -> Find Jobs.)
To apply, please share the following application materials (in English and in PDF-format) with us:
- Application letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Summary of merits and highest achievements in research (max. 2 p.)
- List of publications (with 10 most relevant publications regarding this position highlighted)
- Research work portfolio
- Teaching portfolio (please see the University’s instructions and make sure your teaching portfolio complies with them https://www.aalto.fi/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/2021-01/Teaching%20competence%20assessment_Guidelines_for_candidate_2020_Aalto%20University_FINAL.pdf)
- Names and contact information for references
General instructions for applicants including evaluation criteria and guidelines for compiling your CV and research and teaching portfolio are given at https://www.aalto.fi/en/tenure-track/interested-in-joining-our-tenure-track.
Aalto University will use external reviewers to support the evaluation of applicants during the recruitment process. Based on the application materials and external evaluations, the Departmental Committee will choose the most suitable applicants to visit the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems and deliver teaching demonstrations, if the pandemic situation allows (if not, the teaching demonstrations will be delivered remotely).
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.
If you wish to hear more about the position, you can reach out to Professor Monika Österberg (Head of the department) or in questions related to the recruitment process, HR Coordinator Sanni Mero by email (firstname.lastname@aalto.fi).
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. And this webpage about Aalto and Finland. https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/welcome-to-aalto-university-and-finland-info-package
Check out 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: https://www.aalto.fi/services/about-finland