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 13 000 students, 400 professors, and more than 4 500 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus 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.
Aalto University School of Engineering is now looking for a
Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) in Mechanical Engineering
The work will take place in the Aalto Biotribology laboratory in Espoo, Otaniemi campus, Finland, under the guidance of Dr Vesa Saikko in a research project funded by the Academy of Finland. The Biotribology laboratory has a history spanning 35 years, and it is a part of Aalto University, Department of Mechanical engineering.
Interest in orthopaedic implants is expected. Specifically, the work treats wear and failure mechanisms of total hip prostheses and aims to improve the durability and safety of future implants. The works is experimental, so it is expected that the applicant likes to perform experiments in the laboratory with various test and measurement devices and analyse the results. The researcher will learn to write scientific journal papers, on which the Doctoral Dissertation will be based.
We have an inspiring, free atmosphere and environment for research and for learning new skills, and flexible working hours. Travelling to scientific conferences and to other labs of the field around the world will be possible and will help the researcher to network with other experts in implant research.
For the first half of 2024, the researcher will work at Newcastle University, UK, in retrieval analysis, that is, doing investigations of prosthetic components removed from patients, under the guidance of a leading expert, Professor Thomas Joyce. The researcher will learn to understand why contemporary implants do not always perform as intended.
Requirements
The applicant needs to have an MSc degree in mechanical engineering. Knowledge in machine design, tribology and biomechanics are considered advantages.
Good skills in English, writing and oral, are needed.
The selected candidate will need to apply for the study right in doctoral studies at Aalto University School of Engineering. Thus, please check the student information and admission criteria at
https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-options/aalto-doctoral-programme-in-engineering. In particular, please pay attention to the required (English) language proficiency.
What we offer
The doctoral studies at Aalto University take approximately four years. The candidate will be offered a two-year contract with possibility of another two-year extension. The researcher is expected to commit to complete a Doctoral Dissertation (PhD degree) within this time in the project.
The starting (gross) salary is 2577 EUR per month. It will increase substantially with achievements, such as scientific publications. The employment contract includes occupational health care, and Finland has a comprehensive social security system.
Starting date is September 1, 2023.
How to apply
To apply for the position, please submit your application electronically through our online recruitment system and provide the following documents in English:
- Letter of motivation
- CV including publications if any
- Description of your MSc thesis project
- Copies of degree certificates and transcript of records (both BSc and MSc)
- Recommendation letters (max. 3), if already available. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide them
The deadline for applications is August 13, 2023, at 23:59 Finnish time (UTC +2).
Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, to extend the application period, and reopen the application process.
Please note: Aalto University’s employees and visitors should apply for the position via the internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs -> Find Jobs) by using their existing Workday user account.
For more information
For additional information, please contact Professor Petri Kuosmanen (
petri.kuosmanen@aalto.fi, +358500448481). In questions related to the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor Paula Thomsson-Levä (
paula.thomsson-leva@aalto.fi, +358 50 574 84 62, available until July 7th and from August 7th again).
More about living in Finland:
https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/living-in-finland
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