Postdoctoral researcher to develop cellulose-based heterogeneous catalysts for organic synthesis

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 446 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. It combines natural sciences and engineering in a unique way.

The Department of Chemistry and Materials Science (CMAT) is looking for:

Postdoctoral researcher to develop cellulose-based heterogeneous catalysts for organic synthesis

Are you looking for an opportunity to apply your knowledge in organic chemistry for a suitably challenging research project? Are you keen to explore unconventional synthetic strategies (mechanochemistry), and develop + benchmark novel bio-based functional materials? We are now seeking a motivated postdoc, to join our Research Council of Finland project COFCELL.

Our research focuses on the use of mechanochemical and related solid-state synthesis approaches to make materials under solvent-free or low-solvent conditions, aiming to reduce the waste, cost, and hazards of chemical reactions. You would be joining a team that has been exploring how these solvent-free techniques can be applied for making porous heterogeneous catalysts from cellulose and covalent organic framework (COFs). In this role, you have the opportunity to apply and develop your skills in organic chemistry and material science, use a large variety of material characterization techniques, and contribute to shaping a greener future.

Your role and goals

The main focus of your research will be on preparation and benchmarking of porous heterogeneous catalysts, particularly to understand:

• How are the material properties (surface area, malleability, mechanical properties) and catalytic activity affected by the preparation method of the cellulose-COF hybrid?

• Can these hybrid catalysts be applied in out-of-the-ordinary reaction media?

The goal is for you to establish your expertise in sustainable chemical processing, while creating cutting-edge bio-based catalysts. You will have the opportunity to share your results within the vibrant international green chemistry research community, and widen your skills in organic and physical chemistry, material science and advanced analytical techniques (e.g. state-of-the-art liquid and solid-state NMR techniques, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, etc). The position involves participation in departmental teaching and student instruction.

Your experience and ambitions

We encourage you to apply if you have:

• Ph.D. degree in organic chemistry, or closely related field

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

• Motivation for working in the laboratory, carrying out experiments, and data analysis

Experience in one of the following fields is required from the chosen candidate: heterogeneous catalysis in organic synthesis, covalent organic frameworks, and/or mechanochemistry.

Your team and network

You would work in the Synthesis Technologies research group (led by Assistant Professor Sandra Kaabel) in the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science (CMAT). The aim of the research team is to develop sustainable and safer technologies for chemical and enzymatic transformation of biopolymers, to expand the portfolio of available renewable materials. The CMAT Department offers a multi-disciplinary working environment, focused on micro-, nano-, and atomic scale engineering of compounds and materials. Your closest network will also include the collaborating group of Junior Professor Dr. Frederik Haase in Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.

What we offer

Aalto University is one of the leading European research and higher education institutions in the field of sustainable chemistry and engineering based on the utilization of renewable resources. At Aalto University, you will work in our world-class facilities in the School of Chemical Engineering (https://www.aalto.fi/en/school-of-chemical-engineering/research-infrastructure), Micronova, and Otanano, training your experimental skills on infrastructure dedicated to the development of biorefinery processes and analytical techniques.

A fixed-term contract will be made for 2 years. The starting salary for a postdoctoral researcher is approximately 4100 €/month (gross). The contract includes occupational health care benefits and Finland has a comprehensive social security system.

The workplace is situated on the main campus of Aalto University in Otaniemi (short metro ride from Helsinki). Our campus and the nearby area also host offices of several high-tech startups and international corporations, offering opportunities for networking and career development. Aalto Startup Center is ranked among the world’s top three university-based business incubators.

The position is available from 20.10.2026, with the exact starting date negotiated with the selected candidate.

Ready to apply?

If you would like to join our team, please submit your application through our online recruitment system no later than 25.09.2026 using the link provided on Aalto University’s webpage (“Apply now”). If you are an employee at Aalto, please apply for the position via the internal system Workday (internal jobs), by using your existing Workday user account.

To apply, please include the following (in English) as a single PDF document:

• Motivation letter: free-form letter (maximum 1 page) describing yourself, your career ambitions and why you are interested in this particular position.

• CV: including a short description of previous research experience (up to 1 page), list of publications, the title of your Ph.D. thesis, and contact details of two references that we may contact.

We will start reviewing and interviewing candidates immediately. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Applications sent via email will not be considered; only submissions through the online recruitment system are accepted. 

If you want to know more about the position, please contact Assistant Professor Sandra Kaabel (sandra.kaabel(at)aalto.fi). For questions related to the application process, please contact HR Partner Eeva Käki (eeva.kaki(at)aalto.fi)

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