Doctoral Researcher in Polymer Technology (DSII) / Väitöskirjatutkija, Polymeeriteknologia (DSII)
Tampere University and the University of Helsinki, together with the Technology Industries of Finland Centennial Foundation and participating companies, run a joint DSII Scale-up Pilot project, which offers positions for doctoral researchers working in close cooperation with industry.
The Doctoral School of Industry Innovations (DSII) explores research questions that are directly relevant to industry and business. Of the eight researchers who will be selected for the program, half will be located at the University of Helsinki and half at Tampere University, but both universities participate in the guidance of selected doctoral students. This enables a unique possibility for diverse and complementary research from theory to applications in a highly motivated, cross-disciplinary environment.
DSII offers Doctoral Researchers a unique opportunity to undertake dissertation research, gain a thorough understanding of product development, tackle real-world business challenges and expand their professional networks.
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The partner company for this position is Borealis Polymers Oy. Borealis is one of the world’s leading providers of advanced and circular polyolefin solutions and a European front-runner in polyolefin recycling.Job description
The purpose of the job is to create new knowledge for academia and industry in polymer technology. The motivation for the research stems from Circular Economy: there is a need to increase the amount and quality of recycled polyolefin (PE, PP) feedstock. Currently, there is significant variation in the feedstock quality and purity, which negatively affects the level and consistency of the end product quality. Thus, the objective of the project is to study means to homogenise the recyclate feedstock to achieve constant and high-quality end products. As a result of the project, we will better understand the variation within the feedstock, ways to control it and procedures to ensure the targeted end product quality.
As a doctoral researcher, you will work as a member of the very international research group of Plastics and Elastomer Technology at Tampere University. The work is focused on experimental research (processing and characterization of thermoplastics), statistical analysis of the results and communication of the output. The results will be disseminated in scientific peer-reviewed journals, international conferences, doctoral network events and events with industry. The tasks of doctoral researchers also include teaching duties that amount to approximately 5% of their annual working hours, unless there are justified reasons to the contrary.
At the universities, the work will be supervised by Assoc. Prof. Essi Sarlin (Tampere University, research group of Plastics and Elastomer Technology) and Prof. Tomi Männistö (University of Helsinki, Empirical Software Engineering research group). You will also be supported by practitioners in the steering group, including company representatives and postdoctoral university staff members.
Moreover, DSII Scale-up Pilot Project requires the doctoral researcher to be ready to work on the campuses of both universities and the premises of the partner company when necessary. Remote work opportunities are agreed upon separately when needed.
By participating in DSII events, excursions, meetings and training sessions with your fellow doctoral students, you will both get and provide peer support and make your contribution to the development of DSII.
Requirements
You need an applicable master’s degree in materials science, polymer chemistry or a related discipline. The position requires
- Knowledge of processing-structure-property-performance hierarchy of polymeric materials, specifically thermoplastics
- Theoretical knowledge and preferably hands-on experience in processing and characterization of thermoplastics
- Analytical skills
- Ability to adjust in a dynamic environment like circular economy
- A good command of both spoken and written English.
We appreciate that you would have experience in at least some of the following:
- Recycling of plastics
- Statistical process control
- Statistical data analysis.
You also need to have an enquiring mind, enjoy problem-solving and be able to think independently while also being able to work in a team. Our research goals are ambitious, but we do not expect you to be a master of everything when you start: you will also be trained in the areas you are currently lacking.
Please note that before commencing the position, the selected candidate must apply for a study right within the doctoral programme at Tampere University, unless they already have one. Please visit the admissions webpage for more information on eligibility requirements.
Tampere University is a unique, multidisciplinary and boldly forward-looking, evolving community. Our values are openness, diversity, responsibility, courage, critical thinking, erudition/bildung, and learner-centredness. We hope you can embrace and promote these values in your work.
We offer
The position will be filled for a fixed-term period of four (4) years, commencing in fall 2023. The starting date will be mutually agreed with the selected candidate. A trial period of six (6) months applies to all our new employees.
The salary will be based on both the job requirements and the employee's personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. According to the criteria applied to teaching and research staff, the position of a doctoral researcher is placed on level 2-4 of the job requirements scale. A typical starting salary for a doctoral researcher is approximately 2500 EUR per month. The salary increases based on experience and the progress of doctoral studies.
We invite you to participate in a vibrant, active and international research community. The research group of Plastics and Elastomer Technology focuses on polymeric materials: plastics, rubbers and polymer-composites with various reinforcements. Our core competence areas are in processing, characterisation of physical and chemical properties, testing of mechanical, wear and thermo-electric properties of polymeric materials, and modelling and simulation of composite and hybrid materials. The academic co-supervisor and colleagues from the Empirical Software Engineering research group of Helsinki University support, e.g., software architectural and systemic aspects and the potential use of modern data science and engineering approaches in data analysis.
Both universities are strongly committed to the highest level of scientific research and the provision of high-quality doctoral education. The universities and the Doctoral School of Industry Innovations support doctoral researchers by offering training and peer support. Doctoral researchers in DSII develop vital skills, enabling them to conduct agile, customer-oriented research, development and business.Tampere University offers a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities on campus, and several on-campus restaurants and cafés with staff discounts. Please read more about working at Tampere University.
Tampere is one of the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries and offers a dynamic living environment. Tampere region is one of Finland's three most rapidly growing urban areas and home to a vibrant knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community. The city is an industrial powerhouse that enjoys a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland’s information society. For more information on Tampere, please visit here.
How to apply
Please submit your application through Tampere University´s online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 15th of August 2023 (23:59 EEST / UTC+3). Please write your application and all the accompanying documentation in English and attach them in PDF format.
Please attach only the following documents to your application:
- A letter of motivation and description of your research interests (max. 1 A4 page)
- Curriculum vitae according to the TENK template (including the contact details of two referees).
- List of publications
- Degree certificates
- Transcript of records (master's degree studies).
For further information, please contact:
Assoc. Prof. Essi Sarlin, essi.sarlin@tuni.fi (on August 7th or thereafter)
Prof. Tomi Männistö, tomi.mannisto@helsinki.fi
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Haemme Väitöskirjatutkijaa, alana Polymeeriteknologia (DSII)
Tehtävänkuvaus
Etsimme väitöskirjatutkijaa lähellä teollisuuden haasteita olevaan projektiin polymeeritenologian alalle. Työn motivaatio kumpuaa kiertotalouden tavoitteista ja tarpeesta kasvattaa määrällisesti ja laadullisesti kierrätetyn polyolefiinien (PE, PP) saatavuutta. Kierrätetyn polyolefiinijakeen laatu ja puhtaus vaihtelevat merkittävästi eri erien välillä, mikä heijastuu negatiivisesti kierrätysraaka-aineesta valmistettujen tuotteiden laatuun. Tämä väitöstyöprojektin tavoitteena on löytää keinoja homogenoida kierrätysraaka-ainetta, jotta voidaan varmistaa lopputuotteiden tasainen ja korkea laatu.
Hakuohjeet
Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta.
Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta).
Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 15.8.2023 klo 23.59.
