Doctoral Researcher in Material Science / Soft Matter Chemistry / Biomaterials

at  Helsingin Yliopisto

The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Helsinki invites applications for the position of a Doctoral Researcher in Material Science / Soft Matter Chemistry / Biomaterials
The Doctoral researcher will be appointed for a fixed-term 4-year contract (Start date: September 1, 2024 or as agreed) to work in a project entitled “Additive manufacturing of wood-based biomass materials for life science application - BioMat”. The position will be supervised by Dr. Mina Zare and Professor Kirsi Mikkonen, at the Department of Food and Nutrition which is one of the six units of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry.
Lignin, the second most abundant natural polymer, holds great promise as a renewable alternative to fossil-based materials. The focus of the project is on understanding the interactions of lignocellulosic nanoparticles with protein-based biopolymers and using them to create bio-hydrogels with optimized properties for additive manufacturing and life-science applications.
Doctoral researcher: We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled researcher with a Master’s degree and experience in material science, polymer chemistry, additive manufacturing (3D-printing), biomedical science, or related fields.

A successful candidate should be able to:

• Identify, design, conduct, and report research within the scope of the project.
• Contribute to undergraduate student supervision and teaching within the department.
• Engage with the scientific community, research partners and the wider public, internationally and domestically through scientific publications, conference presentations, press releases, blogs etc.

The appointee is expected to have:

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL SKILLS

• A strong background in materials chemistry or polymer chemistry, and a very good hands-on experience in hydrogel and biopolymer.
• Experience with 3D printing techniques, surface modification of nanoparticles, and physicochemical characterization methods.
• Previous experience in cellular assays and biological characterization of nanomaterials would be an asset.
• Fluency in English and excellent writing skills.

ABOUT US

The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry is located on the Viikki campus, ten kilometres from the Helsinki city centre. The mission of the faculty is to promote the sustainable use of renewable natural resources through scientific research and research-based teaching. We focus on agricultural and forest sciences, food and nutrition, microbiology, as well as on economics and management. We cover the full natural resource chain from farm to fork, the entire field of forest sciences from soil chemistry to marketing, as well as the environmental effects of related activities. Graduates from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry are versatile experts in biosciences and business, able to meet the needs of both the business sector and society at large.
www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-agriculture-and-forestry
The Department of Food and Nutrition is a one of the six departments of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. The Department employs about 140 people including 25 teaching positions. We address the challenges of food system sustainability by researching and developing food ingredients and production methods that support the transition to a healthier and more sustainable diet. In our changing society, the need for research-based knowledge on food, diets and their health effects as well as the special needs of different consumer groups is growing. Food innovation activities are part of our teaching and research. The department hosts both the BSc and MSc programmes “Food Science” and the MSc programme “Human Nutrition and Food Related Behaviour”.
https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-agriculture-and-forestry/research/food-and-nutrition
Helsingin yliopisto
Helsinki
Kokopäiväinen
Julkaistu 26.06.2024
Yrityksen liikevaihto:
Yli 100 000 000 €
Yrityksen koko:
Yli 1000 henkilö

Please refer the Job description for details