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 close to 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.
Are you looking for an operative position in the heart of the academic micro- and nanotechnology research? Aalto Nanofab is looking for a
STAFF SCIENTIST OR RESEARCH ENGINEER FOR CLEANROOM OPERATIONS
Aalto Nanofab is part of the national OtaNano research infrastructure and operates in Micronova research center. Micronova - jointly operated with VTT - houses the largest academic cleanroom facility (2600 m2) in the Northern Europe with cleanroom areas ranging from ISO4 to ISO6. Nanofab keeps up over 100 production and measurement equipment and supports over 200 scientists who carry out research in several fields such as quantum technologies, photonics, renewable energy and microsystems to name just a few. For more information, please see
https://www.aalto.fi/en/otanano.
Your role and goals
You will be part of a service team of ten experts with a role in developing and maintaining the cleanroom capabilities that Micronova offers for the academic and industrial users. The main focus of your responsibilities in the cleanroom and other Micronova laboratory facilities is to
- guide users in their practical questions in micro- and nanofabrication processes and on how to carry out their research tasks in the cleanroom.
- provide users technical support for day-to-day operations of cleanroom facilities and user training for a variety of tools and instruments.
- maintain selected equipment at optimum operational performance and provide established processes to guarantee success in sample fabrication and characterization.
- coordinate and run common operations and their development (e.g. daily problem solving, communication, safety trainings).
- consult the users in contamination issues and quality control (understanding of cross contamination, approving new processes and materials).
- participate in planning and teaching cleanroom laboratory courses for students at different levels of their education.
Aalto Nanofab is constantly improving the capabilities in Micronova cleanroom and thus the position enables you to broaden your expertise as new opportunities arise. Beyond your assigned responsibilities, you can also influence and enhance the daily operations of Micronova facilities based on your interests, such as carry out procurement projects of new equipment from preparing the tender to coordinating and participating in the installation of procured equipment.
Your expertise
To thrive in this role, you will require a strong combination of technical skills and expertise in micro- and nanofabrication. Since this is a service-oriented position, it's important that you are motivated by helping others and can easily interact with diverse individuals. Specifically, you will need:
- Practical experience in micro-and nanofabrication and know-how on basic cleanroom processes (e.g. plasma processes, lithography, thin film deposition)
- Experience in operation, maintenance and upkeep of cleanroom equipment
- The ability to carry out process development tasks
- Working experience in cleanroom environment(s)
- Experience in training people to use delicate equipment
- Experience in surveying and negotiating with international distributors globally for experimental equipment
- PhD in natural sciences or technology (semiconductor technology, material sciences, electrical engineering, electronics, quantum technology, chemistry) OR Masters Degree in equivalent fields complemented with a work experience of > 5 years
- Excellent communication and cooperation skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Fluent oral and written skills in English
What we offer
We offer you a permanent position in a multi-cultural academic environment. You will be able to use your skills and expertise to develop our world-class research environment, as well as to participate in research conducted at the highest international level.
For Staff Scientist the starting salary is in between (4300-4700e) and for Research Engineer the starting salary is between (3700-4100e) depending on experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.
We also offer:
- Meaningful and inspiring environment. We are proud of our purpose to shape a sustainable future. We spark the game changers of tomorrow, and renew society with research-based knowledge, creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset.
- Culture that inspires and includes everyone. All our work is guided by the values of the university: responsibility, courage, and collaboration.It’s the people that create Aalto, now and in the future. We want to be an open community where equality and inclusion enable curiosity, innovation, collaboration and wellbeing.
- Support, coaching and sparring when you feel you need it.
- Great possibilities for competence development and learning. We constantly keep learning to find the most impactful ways to empower - and invest in - our people.
- A flexible work culture and a pleasant campus. The Otaniemi campus is full of life - it offers good services, beautiful nature, and excellent transport connections.
- Occupational healthcare services. Currently provided by Terveystalo.
- Sports benefit: Staff discounts on Unisport services at the campus and other Unisport locations at an affordable staff rate.
- Commuter ticket benefit: Aalto University offers its employees a possibility for commuter ticket benefit of 10 eur/month for public transport.
- My Hour - Time for wellbeing: One working hour a week for personal wellbeing.
We work in a hybrid model, with the primary workplace located at the Otaniemi Campus in Espoo, Finland.
Ready to apply?
If you want to join our community, please submit your application
no later than 31 August 2025 at 23.59pm (EET) through the electronic recruitment system ("select Apply Now"). Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we start processing applications and may invite candidates to the interview already during the application period. We may extend the application period if necessary.
To apply, please share the following application materials with us (all documents in English and in PDF form):
- Letter of motivation (max. two pages)
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter of recommendation (if any)
Please note: Aalto University’s employees should apply for the position via our internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs) by using their existing Workday user account (not via the external webpage for open positions). If you are a student or visitor at Aalto University, please apply with your personal email address (not aalto.fi) via Aalto University open positions.
Should you have any questions about the position, we will be happy to answer. Please contact Nanofab Manager Päivikki Repo-Rontu. She is best available on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 am (Finnish time). Tel: +358 50 4652635. Email:
firstname.lastname@aalto.fi.
Questions related to the recruitment process or applications, please contact HR Partner Maarit Pietiäinen by e-mail firstname.lastname@aalto.fi.
More information on Aalto as employer:
https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto
About Finland
Finland is a great place for living with or without family - it is a safe, politically stable and well-organized Nordic society. Finland is consistently ranked high in quality of life and was just listed again as the happiest country in the world:
World Happiness Report 2025
For more information about living in Finland:
https://www.aalto.fi/services/about-finland and
https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/welcome-to-aalto-university-and-finland-info-package.
More about Aalto University:
Aalto.fi
youtube.com/user/aaltouniversity
linkedin.com/school/aalto-university/
www.facebook.com/aaltouniversity
instagram.com/aaltouniversityTo view information about Workday Accessibility, please click here.Please see more of our Open Positions here.
