Lappeenranta University of Technology, LUT. LUT’s Trailblazer strategy is searching for answers to four key questions: Are we going to burn up everything? Is humanity condemned to suffer from the water it has polluted? Will waste be the grave of our future? Will we let Europe degenerate to the world’s back yard? No. We will lead the way with a trailblazer spirit. We have been ranked among the world’s top 600 universities as well as among the best young universities (Times Higher Education). We are compact by size, with intensely focused operations. Combining technology and business, we have served as an academic forerunner since 1969. Our international science community encompasses 6,500 students and experts.

The LUT Doctoral School / Doctoral Programme in Engineering Science is seeking four (4) full-time

doctoral students

as of 1 January 2017 or as agreed for the following research groups:

1. Computational Science

The position in computational science open in the inverse problems research group deals with advanced methods for data assimilation and parameter estimation for dynamical systems, especially chaotic dynamics. The applicant should have a Master's degree, a strong background in applied mathematics, computational methods and programming, and the ability and motivation to complete the doctoral degree in the target time of four years. The candidate is also expected to have good programming skills, preferably in Matlab, Python, and C or Fortran, and to be able to communicate fluently in English. Further information about research topics in the inverse problems group: http://www.lut.fi/web/en/school-of-engineering-science/research/inverse-problems.

For further information about this position, please contact Professor Heikki Haario, LUT School of Engineering Science, heikki.haario@lut.fi.

2. Process development and process intensification

The position open in the process development and process intensification research group deals with process research where experimentation and computational modelling such as computational fluid dynamics play the principal role. The applicant should have a Master’s degree in chemical engineering and in process design, and the motivation to complete the doctoral degree in four years. Theoretical and practical skills in process and plant design as well as a solid understanding of chemical reactions and separation processes are an asset. The candidate should be able to use fluid dynamics software and process simulators for solving material and energy balances in detail. The research is related to chemicals manufacturing and production in the area of future decarbonised energy systems. Further information about the research topics: http://www.lut.fi/web/en/research/platforms/reflex and http://www.lut.fi/web/en/school-of-engineering-science/research/unit-process-development-modelling-and-intensification.

For further information about this position, please contact Professor Tuomas Koiranen, LUT School of Engineering Science, tuomas.koiranen@lut.fi.

3. Membrane technology

The position open in the membrane technology research group involves research on the recovery, fractionation and purification of biobased compounds from different extraction liquors. The doctoral student will develop hybrid separation processes to valorise biobased compounds and solve challenges related to product purity and yield, the fouling of membrane materials, etc. The applicant should have a Master’s degree either in chemical engineering or chemistry and be able to communicate fluently in English. Theoretical and practical skills in membrane filtration, organic chemistry, wood chemistry and separation technology are appreciated. The position requires motivation to complete the doctoral degree within the target time.

For further information about this position, please contact Professor Mika Mänttäri, LUT School of Engineering Science, mika.manttari@lut.fi.

4. Solid-liquid separation

The position open in the solid-liquid separation research group deals with the prediction and modelling of filtration processes from physical particle properties. The topic will include a significant amount of experimental work together with a complete characterisation of particulate samples by utilising various modern measurement techniques. The results obtained from the experimental work will be used to model the filtration operations with advanced modelling techniques. The applicant must hold a Master’s degree in chemical engineering and be able and motivated to complete the doctoral degree in the target time of four years. The successful candidate should be able to communicate fluently in English and have prior knowledge of separation unit operations, particle technology, and process modelling. Further information about the research group of solid-liquid separation: http://www.lut.fi/web/en/school-of-engineering-science/research/solid-liquid-separation.

For further information about this position, please contact Professor Antti Häkkinen, LUT School of Engineering Science, antti.hakkinen@lut.fi.

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The applicant must hold a Master’s degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in a relevant field giving eligibility for doctoral studies and be able and motivated to complete the doctoral degree in the target time of four years. A scientifically sound research proposal or a description of research ideas or interests as well as a research subject suitable for the doctoral programme in question are essential selection criteria. The postgraduate study right required for completing the doctoral degree is to be applied for within one year of the beginning of the employment relationship.

The employment relationship is fixed-term with a four-month trial period. The position will be available initially for one year and can be extended for another three years provided that the studies and research have progressed well. Applicants who already have a doctoral study right at LUT are also eligible, but the maximum duration of employment relationship will still be four years counted from the beginning of the first employment contract of the doctoral student.

The pay will be determined in accordance with the pay system for university teaching and research staff. The job grade of a doctoral student is 1-4 (EUR 1 808.42 – 2 475.31/month). In addition, the salary will include an individual pay component based on performance and competence, amounting to a maximum of 46.3% of the job-specific pay component.

The application is to include the following attachments:

• A curriculum vitae
• Certificates/diplomas: scanned electronic copies of diplomas and transcripts of the records of relevant previous degrees. If the original documents are not in English, Finnish or Swedish, each document must be accompanied by an official certified translation into English or Finnish.
• Research proposal or research idea/interest (max. two pages A4). After the selection, the successful applicants will refine their plans together with the supervisors.
• You may also attach a separate application describing your motivation as a researcher.
• List of scientific publications (optional)

Candidates may also be interviewed by video or online / face to face. The steering group of the LUT Doctoral School will select candidates based on proposals from the doctoral programmes. Applicants will be informed of the results by e-mail by the end of November 2016.

You may apply for one position only. Please indicate in your application for which of the research fields you are applying. Please submit your application by filling out the online application form (link below) with the required attachments. The deadline for the applications is 18 September 2016 (at midnight, Finnish local time, UTC + 3hr). Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Contact person for issues related to the doctoral programme: Professor Antti Häkkinen, Head of Doctoral Programme in Engineering Science, antti.hakkinen@lut.fi, +358 40 354 3218.