Doctoral Researcher, Chemical Upgrading of Polyphenols for Advanced Functional Materials

Aalto University; Finland; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State-of-the-art facilities

International research group

Job summary

Aalto University in Espoo, Finland invites applications for a Doctoral researcher in chemical upgrading of polyphenols for advanced functional materials. The Bioproduct Chemistry group investigates renewable biomaterials and interfacial phenomena within a growing international team.

The role combines natural products chemistry, materials science, and industry collaboration to advance sustainable coatings, packaging, and emulsions. Fluency in English and hands‑on lab experience are essential.

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

Responsibilities

• 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 (1H/13C/2D NMR, AFM, DLS, GPC, FTIR, zeta potential) with molecular modeling and machine learning
• Collaborate with international academic and industrial partners

Skills

English proficiency

Lab experience

Teamwork

Education

Master’s degree in chemistry or chemical engineering

Tools

NMR

AFM

DLS

GPC

FTIR

Zeta potential

Job description

Organisation/Company AALTO UNIVERSITY Research Field Chemistry Engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 5 Nov 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country Finland Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer 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.

The School of Chemical Engineering is one of the six schools of Aalto University. The Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems (Bio2) focuses on innovations and cutting‑edge research to support the emerging bioeconomy.

The Bioproduct Chemistry group is now looking for a

Doctoral researcher in chemical upgrading of polyphenols for advanced functional materials

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

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.

In this PhD project, you will work at crossroads of natural products chemistry, material science, and industry, specifically:

• 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 reasons, to leave the position open, extend the application period, or consider candidates who have not applied within the application period.