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Nearly 20 million euros for research

The Academy of Finland funding brings nine new posts as Academy Research Fellow, 15 new Postdoctoral Researchers and 24 new Academy Projects to Aalto University.
Four engineering scientists in pink t-shirts in front of an an engine

The funding granted to Aalto University by the Academy of Finland from the September 2020 call will boost the university’s research efforts with EUR 19.4 million. At the beginning of September, nine new academy research fellows, 15 postdoctoral researchers and 24 academy projects will start at Aalto. Some of the academy projects are consortium projects, and the total number of funded Aalto subprojects is 29.

The total funding granted to Aalto University for the tasks of academy research fellows and postdoctoral researchers is EUR 7 million. In addition to the seven new research fellow posts obtained by Aalto, two more Academy Research Fellows will move to Aalto University during the summer with their projects.

In total, funding of EUR 12.4 million was granted to the academy projects, which include a wide range of projects in the fields of research for culture and society, science and technology, and biosciences, health and environment.

‘We are extremely happy for the positive funding decisions in all our six schools. The projects span across our seven key research areas and contribute to shaping a sustainable future, often in a multidisciplinary manner. One particularly delightful feature is the success of our international newcomers. My warmest congratulations to all new projects!’  says Vice President for Research Ossi Naukkarinen.

‘The funding granted by the Academy of Finland is a sign of high research excellence. What is more, it also supports the education at Aalto, as many doctoral candidates are funded through the projects. Moreover, the funding recipients – postdoctoral researchers, academy research fellows and academy project leaders – participate in the teaching.’

The aim of the funding offered to academy research fellows is to provide them with competence for the most demanding research tasks and to help them establish themselves as independent researchers in the international research community. By awarding funding to postdoctoral researchers, the Academy of Finland promotes their qualifications for demanding research and expert positions. The aim of the academy project funding is to promote scientific research of high international quality, enable scientific breakthroughs, and support research cooperation with top international groups.

Academy Research Fellows 1.9.2021–31.8.2026

Anaya, Eduardo, Dept. of Bioproducts and Biosystems
Photoactive protein cage biohybrids for light-induced applications

Kumar, Manohar, Dept. of Applied Physics
Non-Abelian interactions in an anyon collider geometry

Lomakin, Ivan, Dept. of Applied Physics
Nature of highly disordered solids via advanced atom-probe tomography spatial visualization algorithms

Penttilä, Paavo, Dept. of Bioproducts and Biosystems
Neural networks for X-ray scattering analysis of wood materials

Shawulienu, Kezilebieke, Dept. of Applied Physics
Topologinen suprajohtavuus kaksiulotteisissa van der Waals -heterorakenteissa

Solin, Arno, Dept. of Computer Science
Probabilistic principles for latent space exploration in deep learning

Van Vliet, Marijn, Dept. of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering
Unraveling language in the brain through biologically plausible modeling of interconnected cognitive systems

In addition, Eliisa Lotsari will transfer from the University of Eastern Finland to an assistant professor position at the Department of Built Environment, and Eveliina Peltola will transfer from the University of Jyväskylä to an assistant professor position at the Department of Mathematics and Systems Analysis.

The funding granted to an Academy Researcher Fellow is EUR 447,650 per person.

Postdoctoral Researchers 1.9.2021–31.8.2024

Cenev, Zoran, Dept. of Applied Physics
Laser-assisted 3D printing of aerosolized nanoparticles (267 730 e)

Du, Mingde, Dept. of Electronics and Nanoengineering
Structured silicon surfaces for optical neuromodulation and visual restoration (267 720 e)

Flajšman, Lukáš, Dept. of Applied Physics
Bridging Magnons (280 000 e)

Gunn, Lachlan, Dept. of Computer Science
Rigorous security guarantees for run-time integrity (248 120 e)

Gustafsson, Tom, Dept. of Mathematics and Systems Analysis
Adaptive high-order mortar methods for computational contact mechanics (234 120 e)

Koshida, Shinji, Dept. of Mathematics and Systems Analysis
Coupling of Gaussian free fields and Schramm–Loewner evolutions on multiply connected domains (248 130 e)

Mercier de Lepinay, Laure, Dept. of Applied Physics
Vacuum forces between superconductors probed with microwave optomechanics (267 030 e)

Purkarthofer, Eva, Dept. of Built Environment
Sustainable urban development as travelling idea in spatial planning: Substantiating a vague concept by investigating actors, organisations and institutions (255 830 e)

Rigoni, Carlo, Dept. of Applied Physics
Dissipative functional nanomaterials with non-equilibrium magnetic and photonic responses (271 920 e)

Sahrakorpi, Tiia, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
The Finnish Technological Sublime: Perceptions, imagination and self-representations of large-scale energy projects, 1928-2020 (224 662 e)

Salmivaara, Virva, Dept. of Management Studies
The complexity of framing environmental responsibility in agricultural entrepreneurship (280 425 e)

Shen, Boxuan, Dept. of Bioproducts and Biosystems
Silica-DNA Hybrid Nanostructures as Next Generation Self-Assembling Nanomaterials (259 710 e)

Wani, Owies, Dept. of Applied Physics
Homeostasis inspired strain-resistant materials (261 430 e)

Yazdani, Maryam Roza, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Green engineering of sorption materials for seasonal thermal energy storage: Development, system implementation, and life cycle assessment (265 770 e)

Zhang, Youqi, Dept. of Civil Engineering
System for Bridge State Awareness (247 870 e)

More information on the funding decisions on the website of Academy of Finland.

Get to know our new Academy Projects (below).

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