Doctoral researcher, chemical upgrading of polyphenols for advanced functional materials

aalto; Espoo; On-site; EUR 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State-of-the-art facilities

International research environment

Job summary

Aalto University in Espoo, Finland, invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher in the Bioproduct Chemistry group. The role focuses on sustainable, renewable biomaterials and lignin/polyphenol chemistry, with hands-on lab work and cross‑border collaboration in an international team.

The position offers a fixed-term contract for two years, with a route to extension based on progress. The starting salary is about €3140 gross per month, with access to state-of-the-art facilities.

Qualifications

• Hands-on laboratory experience in relevant areas.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary international team.
• Strong written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Develop efficient fractionation and modification routes for polyphenols.
• Establish structure-property-performance relationships linking composition and particle size to application performance.
• Combine wet-chemistry characterization with molecular modeling and machine learning.
• Collaborate with international academic and industrial partners.

Skills

Lab experience

English proficiency

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Surface chemistry knowledge

Education

Master's degree in chemistry or chemical engineering

Job description

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 16 000 students and 5 200 employees, including more than 440 professors. Our campus is in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community's diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

About the Bioproduct Chemistry group

The Bioproduct Chemistry group, lead by Professor Monika Österberg, aims to replace fossil‑based materials with renewable biomaterials from natural resources, especially forest biomass. We specialize in bio‑based materials science and the surface chemistry of lignocellulosic materials, with emphasis on fundamental insights and interaction forces.

Our research themes include:

• Renewable and recyclable materials from cellulose, lignin, and hemicelluloses
• Valorization of polyphenolic side streams and greener processes (e.g., mechanochemistry, surface modification)
• Interfacial phenomena and development of biobased barriers, foams, and emulsions
• Advanced textile recycling, including flotation‑based methods

Position description

Are you excited about sustainability and renewable materials? Bark and lignin are abundant, underutilized feedstocks rich in polyphenols. When engineered to self‑assemble into spherical colloidal particles, these compounds can replace fossil‑based or harmful chemicals across coatings, packaging, emulsifiers, and other applications.

• Develop efficient fractionation and modification routes for polyphenols, including solvent‑free reactive extrusion
• Establish structure-property-performance relationships linking chemical composition and particle size to application performance
• Combine wet‑chemistry characterization (e.g., 1H/13C/ 2D NMR, AFM, DLS, GPC, FTIR, zeta potential) with molecular modeling and machine learning
• Collaborate with international academic and industrial partners

Who we're looking for

• A curious, ambitious researcher with strong interest in organic and surface chemistry, specifically lignin/polyphenol chemistry
• Problem‑solver with good time‑management and communication skills
• Advantageous (but not required): experience with surface‑sensitive techniques, synthetic and preparative organic chemistry, lignin analytics, colloids, polymer processing, programming (e.g., Python/R/Matlab), molecular simulation or machine learning

Required qualifications

• Master's degree in chemistry or chemical engineering
• Good written and spoken English, and ability to work in a multidisciplinary international team
• Hands‑on laboratory experience in relevant areas

What we offer

• We offer a fixed-term contract initially for two years. During the first 6 months, you must apply for and receive the right to study in the doctoral programme in Chemical Engineering. After a successful evaluation by the end of the first 2-year contract, the contract can be extended. Extension of the contract is typically based on the progress evaluation, revised project plan and available funding.
• The starting salary for a Doctoral Researcher is about 3140 €/month (gross)
• Access to Aalto's state‑of‑the‑art facilities in an international research group

Timeline and process

Application deadline: November 5. 2026, but the position may be filled before the deadline.

Preferred start date: As soon possible, or as agreed.

Aalto University reserves the right, for justified rea