Doctoral Researcher (photochemistry, physical organic chemistry) / Väitöskirjatutkija (valokemia,

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. www.tuni.fi/en

The Supramolecular chemistry of bio- and nanomaterials team is interested in using light to both make new materials; study the behaviour of formed and/or forming materials;
 precisely change and/or control the properties of ready-made materials e.g. for controlled drug release.

Job description

We are looking for a new Doctoral Researcher (applicant with a M.Sc. degree) to work on the Academy of Finland funded project LAMBDA (Light-Activated Materials for Bioscaffold Fabrication and Controlled Drug Release Applications) led by Academy of Finland Fellow Dr. Nikita Durandin. The research topic would cover broad range of light-activated processes in complex media, tailoring their activation wavelengths and their applications in biomedicine. You would be working as a part of a team with shared aims, but individual tasks. The work will be performed in close collaboration with Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology group led by ERC Consolidator Grantee Prof. Timo Laaksonen (Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki).

Doctoral supervisors will be Academy of Finland Fellow Dr. Nikita Durandin (Tampere University) and Prof. Timo Laaksonen (Tampere University / University of Helsinki).

We expect the doctoral candidate to be active especially in the experimental part of the research, but also in the communication of the results to the scientific audience (i.e. writing publications, presenting the data in seminars and conferences). Our research goals are ambitious. However, we do not expect you to be a master of everything when you start: your concrete tasks will be tailored based on your previous knowledge and current interests. So, do not hesitate to apply!

Requirements

The position requires: 

• A suitable M.Sc degree in chemistry or physics, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated competence and motivation to pursue postgraduate studies. 
• A good command in both spoken and written English.
• Ability to work at Tampere University’s Hervanta campus. 

We appreciate that you would have experience in at least some of the following:

• The position concerns mostly experimental laboratory work. Therefore, any practical laboratory experience on spectroscopic measurements (steady-state and time-resolved ones) is seen as a strong benefit. This can be demonstrated e.g. by courses taken and background in some of the following areas: photochemistry, experimental physical chemistry, photonics, spectroscopy.
• Knowledge of self-assembled systems esp. hydrogels and methods of their fabrication and characterization is considered as an asset.

During the Doctoral researcher position application phase, you do not yet need a study right within the faculty’s doctoral program, neither approved study nor detailed research plan, but they are required before starting in the position. Please visit the admissions webpage for more information.

Tampere University is a unique, multidisciplinary and boldly forward-looking, evolving community. Our values are openness, diversity, responsibility, courage, critical thinking, erudition, and learner-centeredness. We hope that you can embrace these values and promote them in your work.

We offer

The position will be full-time for 4 years. The expected starting date is 1.9.2023 the earliest and can be also later, as mutually agreed upon by both parties. A trial period of six months applies to all our new employees. 

The salary will be based on both the job demands and the employee’s personal performance in accordance with the University Salary System. The position of is placed on the job demand level 2 (the demand level chart for the teaching and research staff). In addition, employees will receive performance-based salary. A typical gross starting salary for Doctoral Researcher is approximately 2500 euros / month. The salary increases based on experience and the progress of doctoral studies.

As a member of staff at Tampere University, you will enjoy a range of competitive benefits, such as occupational health care services, flexible work schedule, versatile research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities and a safe and inviting campus area as well as a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities in your free time. Please read more about working at Tampere University. You can also find more information about us and working and living Tampere by watching our video: Tampere Higher Education Community – our academic playground.

We are inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, active and truly international research community. Interdisciplinarity is highly encouraged, as it allows you to expand your research network and exposes you to new perspectives and ideas to solve complex research problems and pursue novel research findings. We have a strong commitment to the highest level of scientific research and the provision of high-quality doctoral education. 

Finland is the happiest country to live (for 5 years in row) and Finns have repeatedly rated Tampere as the most attractive city in Finland to live in. Tampere is the traditional center of the Finnish industry. Tampere is also the most popular city in Finland for higher education. More information about living and working in Tampere.

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is August 1st, 2023 (at 23:59 EEST / UTC+3). Applications and all accompanying documentation should be written in English, and in PDF format.

Applications should include the following documents in one file:

• Curriculum Vitae according to TENK template 
• Copy of your MSc and BSc degree certificates, including transcripts of records and their English translations
• Motivation letter (incl. research directions)
• Language skills certificate is available (not mandatory)
• Possible Letters of recommendation (not mandatory)

For more information, please contact:
 Academy of Finland Fellow Dr. Nikita Durandin, email: nikita.durandin (at) tuni.fi
 Professor Timo Laaksonen, email: timo.laaksonen (at) helsinki.fi
 Please, refer to LAMBDA project in the title of your Motivation letter.

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Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat yhdessä Suomen toiseksi suurimman monitieteisen, innostavan ja vaikuttavan tutkimus- ja oppimisyhteisön. Korkeakouluyhteisömme osaamiskärjet ovat tekniikka, terveys ja yhteiskunta. Lue lisää: www.tuni.fi

Supramolecular chemistry of bio- and nanomaterials -ryhmä (Bio- ja nanomateriaalien supramolekulaarinen kemia) on kiinnostunut valon käyttämisestä uusien materiaalien valmistukseen; tutkii muovattavien materiaalien käyttäytymistä; muokkaa tarkasti materiaalien ominaisuuksia esim. lääkkeen säädeltyä vapautumista varten. 

Tehtävänkuvaus

Etsimme väitöskirjatutkijaa työskentelemään Suomen Akatemian rahoittamassa LAMBDA (Light-Activated Materials for Bioscaffold Fabrication and Controlled Drug Release Applications / Valolla aktivoidut materiaalit biokasvualustojen valmistukseen ja lääkeaineen kontrolloituun vapauttamiseen) -projektissa. Tutkimusaihe kattaisi laajan kirjon valolla aktivoituja prosesseja monimutkaisissa väliaineissa, räätälöimällä niiden aktivaatioaallonpituuksia ja sovelluksia biolääketieteessä. Työskentelet osana tiimiä, jolla on yhteiset tavoitteet, mutta yksilölliset tehtävät. Työ tehdään tiiviissä yhteistyössä Farmaseuttinen nanoteknologia -ryhmän kanssa, jota johtaa ERC Consolidator apurahan saaja Prof. Timo Laaksonen (Farmasian Tiedekunta / Helsingin yliopiston).

Tohtoriohjaajina toimivat Suomen Akatemiatutkija Dr. Nikita Durandin (Tampereen yliopisto) ja prof. Timo Laaksonen (Tampereen yliopisto / Helsingin yliopisto).

Tohtorikoulutettavan tehtävät kohdistuvat erityisesti kokeelliseen tutkimukseen, mutta lisäksi tehtävään kuuluu myös tulosten viestintä tieteelliselle yleisölle (mm. julkaisujen kirjoittaminen, ja tulosten esitteleminen seminaareissa ja konferensseissa). Tutkimustavoitteemme ovat kunnianhimoisia. Emme kuitenkaan odota sinun olevan kaiken mestari aloittaessasi: konkreettiset tehtäväsi räätälöidään aiemman tietämyksesi ja nykyisen kiinnostuksen perusteella. Joten älä epäröi hakea!

Sinulla on mieluusti hallussa osa seuraavista osaamisalueista: 

• Koulutusta tai taustaa joillakin seuraavista aloista: valokemia, kokeellinen fysikaalinen kemia, fotoniikka, spektroskopia. Etukäteistieto aikaerotteisesta ja steady-sate spektroskopiasta (fluoresenssi/fosforesenssi/absorptio) nähdään etuna.
• Itsejärjestäytyneiden järjestelmien erityisesti hydrogeelit ja niiden valmistus- ja karakterisointimenetelmien tuntemus katsotaan eduksi.

Hakuohjeet

Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta.

Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta). 

Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 1.8.2023 klo 23.59.

Osaamisalue: Tutkimus, kehitys & tuotekehitys