Doctoral Researcher (3 positions) and Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2 positions) in Photonics Research and Innovation 

 

The Photonics Research and Innovation Flagship (PREIN) is a multi-disciplinary competence cluster focusing on the development of light-based technologies. PREIN is a national network that gathers the cutting-edge expertise in Photonics in Finland, including Tampere University, University of Eastern Finland, Aalto University and VTT research center. PREIN is one of the 6 Finnish Flagships funded by the Academy of Finland. The Flagship programme is a northern fleet of excellent science, successful collaboration and solutions for tomorrow. Its rationale is to support future knowledge and sustainable solutions to societal challenges and seeks to advance economic growth by developing new business opportunities. Combining the resources and infrastructures of its partners, PREIN covers all the Photonics value chain, from fundamental research to applied research, seeding industrial collaboration, supporting mobility and career development.

PREIN develops light-based technologies for applications in life science, energy-saving, ICT, and environmental monitoring. The partners have complementary expertise and skills, ranging from the design and fabrication of nanomaterials and optical components to system integration and instrumentation development. Our research focuses on light field control, new materials and structures, and the development of light sources with tailored characteristics, all seeding to the development of novel technologies ranging from e.g. portable sensors, to LIDAR for environmental and industrial monitoring or smart photovoltaic modules for eco-efficient solutions.

For more information, see our website prein.fi or contact Prof. Goëry Genty, director of PREIN, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information about the different research groups at Tampere University involved in the PREIN

We, at Tampere University, are looking for 3 Doctoral Researchers and 2 Postdoctoral Research Fellows to work on the following themes:

1. Optically active glass-based materials (Doctoral Researcher position). 
 The aim of the project is to develop new Tm3+ doped glasses and glass-ceramics that can be deposited into films with good quality (thickness control and uniformity, target chemical composition, good adhesion to the substrate, dense film with no pores/cracks/voids and stress free). These active glass-based films could find various applications, solar cell and sensing being the main targets for the PhD study. 

Background: We are looking for versatile and independent person with a solid background in glass science and Photonics. 

For more information on this position, please contact Prof. Laeticia Petit, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2. All-optically controllable active nonlinear metasurfaces (Doctoral Researcher position). 
 In this project we investigate how metasurfaces supporting collective responses could be made tunable, for example by using incident light. Such tunability facilitates their use, for example, as all-optical switches, or as other active photonic components that are essentially flat. 

Background: The applicant is expected to have basic knowledge of nonlinear optical processes, optics laboratory work experience and some knowledge of programming languages (e.g. Matlab/Python). Knowledge on simulation tools such as Lumerical FDTD or Comsol Multiphysics will be highly valued. 

For more information on this position, please contact Dr. Mikko Huttunen, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

3. Hydrogel microlasers and optical fibers (Doctoral Researcher position): 
This project aims to develop biocompatible hydrogel microlasers and optical fibers as versatile tools for rapid laser-based biomolecular sensing, analysis and localized photothermal therapy. The project involves developing 3D hydrogel printing and fiber extrusion for biocompatible microlasers in addition to materials development. 

Background: The applicant is expected to have a basic knowledge of chemistry, optics, and photonics or materials sciences. Experience in working with hydrogels and background in optics will be considered a plus.

For more information on this position, please contact Assoc. Prof. Nonappa Nonappa, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Arri Priimägi, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4. Solar Fuel Cells (Postdoctoral Research Fellow position). 
The postdoctoral Researcher position involves responsibilities to fabricate monolithic photoelectrochemical cells, i.e. Solar Fuel Cells, based on various photoabsorber materials (III–V semiconductors, Si-based photovoltaics, plasmon-enhanced TiO2) and state-of-the-art co-catalyst grown by atomic layer deposition for the production of solar fuels such as methanol from H2O and CO2. The objective is to outperform the current benchmark results in respective photovoltaic technologies in terms of efficiency, stability and selectivity. 

Background: Candidates should have a PhD in physics, chemistry or materials science and are expected to have an excellent track record in photocatalysis research. Additional experience in synchrotron light based spectroscopies is a strong advantage. 

For more information on this position, please contact Prof. Mika Valden, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

5. Fast environmental sensing with active hyperspectral LIDAR (Postdoctoral Research Fellow position)
The project will develop multiwavelength lidar solutions for environmental sensing applications of gases and solid targets. We will utilize supercontinuum sources, various spectral dispersion methods, and fast readout electronics to enable recording of significant datasets together with our collaboration partners. 

Background: The applicant should have experience on gas phase spectroscopy and building and aligning of optical measurement arrangements. 

For more information on this position, please contact Prof. Juha Toivonen, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Requirements
 

 The Doctoral Researchers must hold a Master’s degree in a suitable field and a proven publication record and the Postdoctoral Research Fellow candidates must hold a doctoral degree in a suitable field and a proven publication record. All applicants should have an excellent command of written and oral English, good communication skills.
 
 The Doctoral Researcher candidates must have the competence and motivation to pursue postgraduate studies towards a doctoral degree (link to the doctoral program requirements: undefined). Please note that before commencing in the position, the selected Doctoral Researcher candidates must also apply for a study right within the doctoral programme, unless they already have one.
 
 The Postdoctoral Research Fellow candidates should have also research experience in both independent project work and collaborative environment. 


 We offer
 
The positions are filled for a fixed-term period of 4 year for the Doctoral Researchers and for a fixed-term period of 2 year for the Postdoctoral Research Fellows Researchers. The positions can be filled as from April 1st 2021. A trial period of six (6) months applies to all our new employees.

The salary will be based on both the job requirements and the employee’s personal performance in accordance with the salary system of Finnish universities. According to the criteria applied to teaching and research staff, the position of a Doctoral Researcher is placed on level 2—4 of the job requirements scale. The position of a Postdoctoral Research Fellow is placed on levels 5-6. A typical starting salary for Doctoral Researchers is approximately 2400 EUR/month and for Postdoctoral Research Fellow 3500 EUR/month. Employment includes occupational health care and social security benefits.

Tampere University as an employer

The higher education community of Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Finland’s second largest multidisciplinary higher education institution, places its faith in the human potential and in scientific knowledge. In this community of 35.000 people, leading specialists are addressing pressing global issues, inspired by the challenge of making changes in the world. The spearheads of our research and learning are technology, health and society. We offer you the opportunity to join our dynamic and innovative community. As a member of staff at Tampere University, you will enjoy a range of competitive benefits, such as a flexible work schedule, a variety of affordable food and drink outlets across our campuses and a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities in your free time. Read more about working at Tampere Universities 

Find your path in a university community counted among the world’s best!

Join us to pursue a meaningful career and become part of our top team of 4,100 employees, who are driving change in research and education and reshaping the future of work. Our international community includes employees from more than 80 countries.  We work together to address the greatest challenges facing society and to create new opportunities.  Our guiding principles are to combine world-class research and innovation activities, promote multidisciplinary learning and lifelong partnerships, and generate unique expertise to develop applications that benefit industry, business and the public sector.
 

How to apply

Please submit your application through the online recruitment system of the institution where the position is located and clearly indicate for you which position you are applying.

The closing date for applications is 28.02 and applications received later will not be considered. Please attach the following documents to your application in pdf format:

  • Cover letter         
  • CV 
  • List of publications 

Toi apply, please visit the following website: https://tuni.rekrytointi.com/paikat/?o=A_RJ&jgid=1&jid=837