Research Assistant (MSc thesis worker) in atomistic simulations of solid-state hydrogen storage

The scenic, historically-rich, and culturally diverse Turku region in Southwest Finland is also a leading centre of economic growth and technology development. The University of Turku is a world-class multidisciplinary research university, hosting a vibrant community of 25,000 students and employees from over 100 different countries. The Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, at the Faculty of Technology, brings together experts in physics, chemistry, and engineering in a drive towards innovative materials engineering for future groundbreaking technologies and key societal challenges.

We are now looking for a Research Assistant in the field of computational materials modelling. Research can be carried out alongside coursework, and it is suitable for an MSc thesis.  You will be working on the project “Revealing the hydrogen diffusion pathways in metal alloys with plastically deformed grain boundaries”, funded by SUSMAT (Sustainable Materials & Manufacturing) at the University of Turku. The position is fixed-term and the starting time is 01.06.2025, or as soon as possible thereafter, based on mutual agreement. The contract duration will be six (6) months from the starting date. The work will be supervised by the Academy Research Fellow Dr Konstantinos Konstantinou.

About the research project

As hydrogen technology continues to advance, solid-state hydrogen storage, particularly in the form of metal hydrides, has emerged as an attractive candidate providing the most compact and safest technology for hydrogen storage. The rationalization of high-performance solid-state hydrogen storage materials is critical to facilitate their rapid commercialization and practical application.

In this project, the aim is to build computational models to investigate the atomic-scale properties of the hydrogen kinetics in grain boundaries of industrially-relevant metal alloys that can help to provide new perspectives towards understanding the processes associated with hydrogen energy storage in metals. The potential candidate will perform molecular-dynamics simulations to explore possible hydrogen trapping sites in the modelled grain boundary structures, and to evaluate the deformation characteristics of the simulated systems.

The research related to the project will be conducted in close collaboration with the Digital Manufacturing and Surface Engineering (DMS) research group from the Mechanical Engineering department. In particular, the Research Assistant will have the chance to interact with Project Researcher Mr Vinay Gidla and Assistant Professor Ashish Ganvir, in order to receive guidance and feedback about the materials under study and the thermal-spray technique associated with processing of the metal alloys.

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Who we are looking for

Qualifications, experience and ambitions

We welcome motivated applicants with a background in physics, chemistry, or materials science & engineering. We seek candidates who are curious to learn about solid-state hydrogen storage technologies, and are eager to apply computational materials modelling approaches. Prior experience with atomistic simulations is a bonus, as well as with techniques for analysis of simulations. The position requires rigorousness, creative thinking and cooperation skills. Fluent oral and written communication skills in English are required. We value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage all qualified applicants, regardless of background, to apply for our open positions.

For this position, one or more of the following scientific knowledge and skills will be appreciated:

  • Molecular-dynamics simulations
  • Atomistic simulations packages such as LAMMPS and CP2K
  • Python programming language
  • Familiarity with the CSC High-Performance Computing facilities in Finland
  • Mechanical properties of crystal structures
  • Atomic and dynamical properties of materials
  • Open Visualization Tool, OVITO

Benefits

We offer you responsible and interesting tasks and the opportunity to develop your professional skills in a versatile operating environment. You get a professional and inspiring team to support your work. We take care of your well-being at work and the functionality of your everyday life, e.g. with the help of flexible working hours and our well-being services.

  • Responsible employer – We value collegiality and promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity.
  • Possibilities to develop your expertise – We encourage our personnel to develop their professional expertise by offering versatile training and competence development possibilities which employees can take advantage of during their working hours. Also, the course offering of Open University is free of charge for our personnel.
  • Your well-being is important to us! – In addition to comprehensive occupational health care, our own well-being services monitor, support and develop the well-being of our personnel. You are entitled to use the CampusSport’s services at a personnel price.
  • We support your work-life balance – Flexible working hours and extensive remote work options help you balance work and leisure time. You also have access to long annual leaves.
  • An inspiring and supportive work community – We encourage each other and value working together!

Please read more about University of Turku as an employee from our Come work with us! pages.

The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research logo. The logo is a token of the University's commitment to continuous development of the position and working conditions of researchers according to the guidelines set forth in the European Charter for Researchers. 

Salary and trial period

The salaries are determined in accordance with the University salary system for teaching and research personnel, which consists of a requirement level and a personal performance percentage. For a Research Assistant, the requirement level is at level 1. Including the personal percentage, the total salary will be approximately 2100-2300 €/month. The amount of the salary is defined when the employment contract is prepared. The position is subject to a trial period of three (3) months.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted by 13 May 2025 (4pm, Eastern European Summer time, GMT+3), using the electronic application form of the university of Turku at the following address: https://www.utu.fi/en/university/come-work-with-us/open-vacancies. The link to the application system is at the beginning of this announcement (Apply for the job). Applications should be submitted in English and they should include:

  1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  2. Motivation letter
  3. Degree certificates and academic transcripts
  4. Names and contact details or letters of recommendation from potential referees

In your application, please describe:

  1. Your competences and suitability for this particular research project. Why do you consider yourself a good fit for this role?
  2. Which of the above-mentioned required/desired qualifications and skills do you meet? Provide evidence to support your answer, such as projects and courses, workshops and publications.
  3. Details about your studies, your involvement in any past research activities, previous work experience, and future plans.
  4. If you would like to do your Master thesis as part of this project or not.

Further information

For additional information regarding the project and the position, please contact Dr Konstantinos Konstantinou konstantinos.konstantinou(at)utu.fi. For questions related to the application process, please contact HR specialist Janna Salminen jansaly(at)utu.fi.

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering is a unique combination of mechanical engineering, materials engineering and industrial engineering and management with contemporary research and teaching. Our vision is to create trends. We take the needs of the community, business, society and the environment into account when actively guiding our activities in teaching, research and collaboration.

The Faculty of Technology is the newest faculty of the University of Turku, it was established in the beginning of 2021. The Faculty consists of the Department of Computing, Department of Biotechnology and the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. We have more than 2,000 graduate and postgraduate students and circa 400 employees, 50 of whom are professors. Our faculty is an international, multicultural and diverse work community.

The University of Turku is an inspiring and international academic community of 25,000 students and staff in Southwest Finland. We build a sustainable future with multidisciplinary research, education, and collaboration. With us, your work will have a significant impact and relevance in the changing world.

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Research Assistant (MSc thesis worker) in atomistic simulations of solid-state hydrogen storage

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