Doctoral researcher, chemical upgrading of polyphenols for advanced functional materials

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

Learn more: https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-bioproducts-and-biosystems/bioproduct-chemistry

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.

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

How to apply

Please submit your application as a single PDF file through our online recruitment system by using the link on Aalto University’s webpage (“Apply now”):

• Cover letter (1–2 pages) describing your motivation, relevant experience, and fit for the position
• CV (including possible publications, presentations, and contact details of 1–3 referees)
• Transcript of records with grades, and diploma if available
• All materials must be in English and submitted via the online system. Email applications cannot be considered.

If you are an Aalto employee, you should apply for the position via our internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs) by using your existing Workday user account (not via the external webpage for open positions).

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.

Contacts

For further information about the research project and research environment/group, please contact Dr. Nicolò Pajer ([email protected]) or Prof. Monika Österberg ([email protected])

Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos:

This is Aalto University!
Aalto University – Towards a better world
and Shaping a Sustainable Future

Read more about working at Aalto: https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto and check out our new virtual campus experience: https://virtualtour.aalto.fi

About Finland

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For more information about living in Finland: Aalto Careers for International Staff.

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