We seek a qualified and motivated individual with enthusiastic attitude towards high-quality research to work as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the department of Civil Engineering. The main research area is the laboratory testing of geotechnical engineering materials. Our speciality is the testing of soft, anisotropic clays as well as the testing of stabilized soils. We have much expertise on these areas, but we want to strengthen it by building a bigger research group, where you would be one of the key member. We are also applying for an additional financing to ensure long-term research. Besides laboratory testing, our group consists of specialists on numerical modelling and constitutive modelling of soils, which opens you the possibility to develop constitutive models based on your experimental data. The position is for a period of 2 years, with a mid-term review, and it should start around December 2018. The position is intended for full-time work.

More information in the website

Job description: The Postdoctoral Researcher’s principal task is to conduct high quality research in geotechnical engineering concentrating on laboratory testing of natural and stabilized soils together with the research group and on publishing the results. The stabilization research focuses on the microscale and macroscale testing of stabilized materials. The testing is part of our research project with the aim to develop a constitutive model of stabilized soils. The tested binders include, for example, bio-based, recycled materials and industrial by-products. Your task is also to publish high quality scientific articles, jointly with other group members. The connections to industry are strong, so your research work may be quickly adopted in practice. However, some of your research may also be related to the problems presented us by our industrial partners. Teaching duties of the position are limited to about 10% of working hours and are related to Master’s programs of the Department. In addition, modest activity in fund raising and guiding doctoral and master students is also expected.

Requirements: Applicants must have completed doctoral degree.

The candidate should have:

• profound knowledge in laboratory testing of soils, especially on soft soils including triaxial and oedometer tests as well as possibly microscopy, and related methods for micro-investigations of soils
• good social skills
• publication record in top/leading journals, conferences, exhibitions and other merits
• fluent English, both written and spoken

Advantageous:

• some pedagogic experience
• experience in working together with other researcher, ideally in an experienced and recognized group
• experience in working on circular economy topics
• experience in acquiring funding for research projects and/or co-operation with partners from the industry
• monitoring/ field test experience would be a benefit
• chemical knowledge may also be an advantage

Salary: Aalto University follows the salary system of Finnish universities. Applicants may also provide a salary request. In addition to the salary, the contract includes occupational health care benefits. Finland also has a comprehensive social security system.

Research environment: The successful candidate will work within the research group of Mineral based materials and mechanics. The department has good laboratory facilities including laboratories of structures, concrete, structural physics, fire safety, soil mechanics and asphalt technics.

Qualifications: Applicants must i) have completed a doctoral degree in a related field, ii) manifest a strong background in the research area s/he is applying for, and iii) show a strong publication record. Fluent English is required.

To apply, an application must include:

• Motivation Letter, including full contact information (max one A4 page)
• Research plan (max three A4 pages)
• CV including publications and contact information for 2 reference persons
• Summary of the Doctoral Thesis
• A certified copy of doctoral degree certificate and its translation, if the originals are not in Finnish, Swedish or English

All material should be submitted in English in a single pdf-file (compiled with an order specified above).

The application should be sent through the eRecruitment system (link ‘Apply for this job’ below) no later than on 16th of September 2018. Email applications will not be taken into account.

For more information: For further details about the position, please contact Associate Professor Leena Korkiala-Tanttu. Emails: leena.korkiala-tanttu@aalto.fi

Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the positions open, to extend the application period and to consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.