Postdoctoral Researcher, Emission free pulping
Are you interested in developing future biorefineries and looking for a postdoctoral opportunity in the field? Would you like to develop innovative technology with superb colleagues who are top experts in their field? Do you want to build an excellent science career and work at the interface of academy and industry? VTT might be just the place for you. If you are an international talent searching for a new opportunity, read more about the benefits of living in Finland and VTT’s support for relocation here!
VTT is one of the leading applied research organisations in Europe. What unites us are curiosity, a passion for learning and a purpose: to solve the biggest challenges of our time and turn them into sustainable growth and well-being. Our cross-disciplinary community of over 2200 brilliant minds is focused on creating impact through science-based innovation.
We are now looking for Postdoctoral Researchers to join our Biomaterial processing and products Research area in a fixed-term employment (app. 24 months) starting in January 2024!
VTT started a Postdoc programme in 2023 to develop new ways to support scientific excellence and to strengthen career paths from universities to VTT. We want to provide development opportunities for recent university PhDs in applied research and industry collaboration. As a Postdoctoral Researcher at VTT, you are able to make an impact on our customers and society. Our researchers work closely together with industry, often in interdisciplinary research groups. VTT has excellent research infrastructure and internal services to support your research work.
In this position, you will have an essential role in challenging the current chemistry and unit operations used in wood pulping to maximize the yield of high-quality products with minimum energy consumption, while avoiding emissions. Your work will enable development of novel, high value-added material applications. In our Research area, we aim at maximizing the value of utilized biomass. We develop novel added-value biomass-based materials and products. New biobased solutions play a key role in replacing fossil-based raw materials with sustainable, reusable, recyclable and renewable alternatives.
Your research topic could be linked to:
Structure-function-performance interrelations of lignin containing high-yield pulps
Improving processing efficiency of chemical and enzymatic reactions via high consistency
Fibre production concepts enabling intact lignin fractions
We are excited to hear about your insights to the field and would like to hear about your vision and research ideas focusing on maximizing the conversion of wood into valuable products. Read more about our research:
Your responsibilities as Postdoctoral Researcher:
You´ll conduct ground-breaking scientific research flavoured with strong application driven approach
You´ll participate in establishing national and international networks with research organisations and industry
You’ll disseminate your work in high impact scientific journals and relevant conferences
You’ll participate in supervising scientist in early stage of their career
Who we are looking for:
You are an independent, professional researcher with demonstrated expertise in the field
You have a high ambition to develop future emission free biorefinery concepts
You have fundamental understanding in wood pulping, wood chemistry and unit operations of pulping as well as on lignocellulose material applications
You have the readiness or willingness to use relevant modelling tools
You have recently gained your doctoral degree in wood chemistry, biorefining chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related field
As a person, we hope that you are:
An open-minded and innovative person with a vision on longer term research needs. You enjoy challenges and have a strong passion for work. You are eager to work with new topics and methods, even out of your comfort zone to achieve the set ambitious goals. We appreciate the ability to tolerate pressure and maintain good work-life balance, as well as the willingness to collaborate with experts and partners across different fields.
With VTT, you’ll enjoy:
Science with an impact. At VTT, we seek to solve large societal challenges and drive a sustainable future through applied research and innovation. With us, you’ll get to work on research projects that make a concrete, positive impact in the world. Read more about our strategy, the path of exponential hope, and our organisational culture as the builder of the world's most meaningful place to work.
Support for your postdoc research. During your postdoctoral term, we offer training in project management, scientific writing, communication, and commercialisation. You’ll have the opportunity collaborate with industry on projects, access our research infrastructure and internal support services, explore interdisciplinary research, and secure funding for your postdoc term. At VTT, you’ll enjoy flexibility and independence in your work, with a blend of academic research and engaging customer projects for an exciting career path.
Open culture of innovation. We have 80 years of experience in science-based innovation, a strong international reputation and global networks. We work truly across disciplines, and house all the cutting-edge sciences from quantum computing to synthetic biology under one roof. At VTT, you’ll join a community of over 2200 multidisciplinary experts who foster a culture of trust, openness and sharing knowledge. Collaborating with amazing colleagues is a source of learning, inspiration, and fun.
Nordic work–life balance. Working in Finland, the happiest country in the world, enables a great quality of life. At VTT, we make our people’s well-being a strategic priority. We offer 6 weeks paid vacation a year, and our benefits include extended occupational healthcare, and a range well-being services, such as exercise and culture benefits and hobby clubs. Read more about the benefits of living in Finland and VTT’s support for relocation.
Apply now and join our community of brilliant minds!
Please send your CV and cover letter with your salary request via our recruitment system as soon as possible but at the latest by 3rd of December 2023. We are excited to hear about your insights to the field and would like to hear about your vision and research ideas focusing on maximizing the conversion of wood into valuable products. If you have an idea of what you would like to focus on, you can write about it in the application question box or If you prefer, you can also attach a research proposal abstract (max 2 pages) instead. We will process applications as they come in and fill in the position as soon as we find the right candidate. A security clearance procedure may be conducted during the recruitment process.
Interested and want to hear more?
For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Stina Grönqvist (+358 40 820 7508) and Research Team Leader Jari Sirviö (+358 40 054 8143) on November 10th, at 9-10 AM (EEST) or November 15th, at 1-2 PM (EEST)
This position will be in a project funded by European Union's NextGenerationEU instrument.
