Staff Scientist for cleanroom operations

Aalto University; Finland; Hybrid; EUR 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Occupational healthcare

Commuter ticket benefit

My Hour – Time for wellbeing

Unisport discounts

Job summary

Aalto University in Espoo, Finland, invites applications for a Staff Scientist to develop and maintain Micronova cleanroom capabilities. You will guide users in micro- and nanofabrication tasks, teach courses, and coordinate equipment procurements to support both academic and industrial research communities.

The role emphasizes strong collaboration, independent problem solving, and a dedication to safety in a multi-cultural environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in natural sciences or technology with semiconductor tech, material science, electrical engineering, electronics, quantum tech, or chemistry.
• Fluent English (oral and written).
• Strong communication and cooperation skills.
• Experience in micro- and nanofabrication; know-how on basic cleanroom processes and SEM characterization.
• Experience in operating and maintaining cleanroom equipment.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Experience in training people to use delicate equipment.
• Experience in surveying and negotiating with international distributors for experimental equipment.

Responsibilities

• Provide users technical support for day-to-day operations of cleanroom facilities and user training for a variety of tools and instruments.
• Maintain selected equipment at optimum operational performance and provide established processes to guarantee success in sample fabrication and characterization.
• Coordinate and run common operations and their development (e.g. daily problem solving, communication, safety trainings).
• Consult the users in contamination issues and quality control (understanding of cross contamination, approving new processes and materials).
• Participate in planning and teaching cleanroom laboratory courses for students at different levels of their education.
• Carry out procurement projects of new equipment from preparing the tender to coordinating and participating in the installation of procured equipment.

Skills

Micro/nano fabrication

Cleanroom operations

Equipment maintenance

Process development

Training others

Distributed equipment negotiation

English proficiency

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in natural sciences or technology

Tools

SEM

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 446 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.

For more information, please see https://www.aalto.fi/en/otanano.

Your role and goals

You will be part of a service team of ten experts with a role in developing and maintaining the cleanroom capabilities that Micronova offers for the academic and industrial users. The main focus of your responsibilities in the cleanroom and other Micronova laboratory facilities is to guide users in their practical questions in micro- and nanofabrication processes and on how to carry out their research tasks in the cleanroom.

• Provide users technical support for day-to-day operations of cleanroom facilities and user training for a variety of tools and instruments.
• Maintain selected equipment at optimum operational performance and provide established processes to guarantee success in sample fabrication and characterization.
• Coordinate and run common operations and their development (e.g. daily problem solving, communication, safety trainings).
• Consult the users in contamination issues and quality control (understanding of cross contamination, approving new processes and materials).
• Participate in planning and teaching cleanroom laboratory courses for students at different levels of their education.
• Carry out procurement projects of new equipment from preparing the tender to coordinating and participating in the installation of procured equipment.

Your expertise

To thrive in this role, you will require a strong combination of technical skills and expertise in micro- and nanofabrication. Since this is a service-oriented position, it's important that you are motivated by helping others and can easily interact with diverse individuals.

• Practical experience in micro- and nanofabrication, know-how on basic cleanroom processes (e.g. plasma processes, lithography, thin film deposition) and characterization methods (e.g. SEM).
• Experience in operation, maintenance and upkeep of cleanroom equipment.
• The ability to carry out process development tasks.
• Working experience in cleanroom environment(s).
• Experience in training people to use delicate equipment.
• Experience in surveying and negotiating with international distributors globally for experimental equipment.
• PhD in natural sciences or technology (semiconductor technology, material sciences, electrical engineering, electronics, quantum technology, chemistry).
• Excellent communication and cooperation skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Fluent oral and written skills in English.

What we offer

We offer you a fix-term position until 31 October 2028 in a multi-cultural academic environment. You will be able to use your skills and expertise to develop our world-class research environment, as well as to participate in research conducted at the highest international level.

For Staff Scientist the starting salary is in between (4300-4700e) depending on experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.

We also offer

• Meaningful and inspiring environment.
• We are proud of our purpose to shape a sustainable future. We spark the game changers of tomorrow, and renew society with research-based knowledge, creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Culture that inspires and includes everyone. All our work is guided by the values of the university: responsibility, courage, and collaboration. It’s the people that create Aalto, now and in the future.
• We want to be an open community where equality and inclusion enable curiosity, innovation, collaboration and wellbeing.
• Support, coaching and sparring when you feel you need it.
• Great possibilities for competence development and learning. We constantly keep learning to find the most impactful ways to empower – and invest in – our people.
• A flexible work culture and a pleasant campus. The Otaniemi campus is full of life - it offers good services, beautiful nature, and excellent transport connections.
• Occupational healthcare services. Currently provided by Terveystalo.
• Sports benefit: Staff discounts on Unisport services at the campus and other Unisport locations at an affordable staff rate.
• Commuter ticket benefit: Aalto University offers its employees a possibility for commuter ticket benefit of 10 eur/month for public transport.
• My Hour – Time for wellbeing: One working hour a week for personal wellbeing.
• We work in a hybrid model, with the primary workplace located at the Otaniemi Campus in Espoo, Finland.

Contact for questions: Nanofab Manager Päivikki Repo‑Rontu. She is best available on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 am (Finnish time). Tel: [phone]. Email: [e-mail].