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.
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 Bioprocess Engineering group is looking for a
Postdoctoral Researcher in the area of Biodegradation
We are opening a position on postdoctoral research to establish the biodegradation laboratory, connecting Bioproducts and Biotechnology research at Aalto University. The lab will develop next-generation methods to evaluate, understand, and engineer biodegradation of polymers such as plastics, microplastics, and textile-derived materials using microbial systems.
This position is ideal for highly independent researchers who aim to build their career at the interface of materials science and microbial biotechnology.
Your role
This position combines infrastructure building, method development, and hypothesis-driven research, offering the opportunity to shape a flagship biodegradation platform at the interface of Biotechnology and Material science research themes.
The role will include designing and standardizing analytical pipelines, quantitative biodegradation assays to validate material-microbe interactions, and tracking polymer degradation. The candidate is expected to have a strong background in biotechnology, enabling them to design new valorization strategies and process scale-up.
The position will be filled for a fixed-term period of 1 year, with possibilities for extension. The postdoctoral researcher is also expected to be actively involved in preparing grant proposals to support and expand their research activities. You will also have a chance to instruct Doctoral researchers and Master thesis candidates and develop towards a more independent position.
Background and expertise
We are looking for candidates who understand both microbes and materials and can build the tools to connect them.
Required qualifications
Recently completed PhD (within 2 years) in biotechnology, microbiology, bioproducts engineering, or closely related fields.
Demonstrated research experience in biodegradation, polymer-microbe interactions, or environmental biotechnology.
Practical experience with bioreactors, analyzing multi-modal data and at least some of the following analytical techniques such as FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, DSC, TGA, or related methods.
A strong publication record relative to career stage
Excellent written and spoken English
Desired previous expertise considered as advantage
Experience working with valorization of textiles, plastics, biopolymers, microplastics degradation products.
Familiarity with spectroscopic or microscopy-based methods for analyzing material degradation (e.g. FTIR/Raman microscopy, SEM)
Experience with grant writing, project management, or coordinating collaborative research
Interest in sustainability, circular economy, and industrial biotechnology
Experience supervising or mentoring students
We are looking for a highly motivated, proactive, and collaborative researcher with an interdisciplinary mindset, strong communication and interaction skills and the ability to work independently.
Scientific environment
The Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems (BIO2), one of three departments in the School of Chemical Engineering at Aalto University, has an internationally leading reputation in basic and applied research for the development of advanced materials from natural resources. It is one of Europe’s leading research and higher education institutions in the field of sustainable chemistry and engineering based on the utilization of renewable resources.
BIO2 aims to contribute to the development of novel solutions to move towards sustainable primary production and processing systems that can produce materials with fewer inputs, less environmental impact, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Within bioscience, the department has research in bioprocess technology, molecular biotechnology, enzyme technology, metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, biomolecular, and biohybrid materials. Other strengths of the department include sustainable materials and products based on lignocellulose, ranging from nanomaterials to novel cellulose-based textiles.
Your network and team
The position is based at the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems of Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering (Otaniemi Campus, Espoo, Finland), in the Bioprocess Engineering research group (https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-bioproducts-and-biosystems/bioprocess-engineering-0). The research group closely associates with the Bioinnovation Center (https://www.aalto.fi/en/aalto-university-bioinnovation-center), funded by Jane and Aatos Erkko Säätiö, and The FINNCERES flagship (https://www.finnceres.fi/), funded by the Research Council of Finland’s Center of Excellence Programme (2022-2029).
What we offer
The expected starting salary of a postdoctoral researcher is approximately 4000-4200 EUR/month depending on experience. The position will be filled for a fixed-term period of 1 year, with possibilities for extension. The planned starting date is 16th February 2026. The contract includes occupational health care, and Finland has a comprehensive social security system. Aalto University provides excellent learning and development opportunities, commuter ticket benefits, and versatile exercise services offered with staff discount by UniSport.
Ready to apply?
Please submit your application through our online recruitment system by using the link on Aalto University’s web page ("Apply now!”).
Aalto University’s employees please note: you should apply for the position via our internal system Workday -> Internal jobs -> find jobs (not external aalto.fi webpage on open positions) by using your existing Workday user account.
To apply for the position, please submit the following application materials (compiled to one PDF document) in English through the ’Apply’ link at the latest by 05.02.2026.
Motivation letter (max. one A4)
Curriculum Vitae (including a list of publications)
Doctoral degree certificate
Two letters of recommendation
The call for applications is open until 5th February 2026. Our selection process is continuous, and applications will be reviewed as they are received. The advert may close early once a suitable candidate has been identified.
For more information
For additional information regarding the position, please contact Assistant Professor Rahul Mangayil (rahul.mangayil@aalto.fi).
Want to know more about us and your future colleagues?
You can watch these videos: Aalto University – Towards a better world, Aalto People , and Shaping a Sustainable Future.
For more information about living in Finland: https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/for-international-staff
Read more about working at Aalto: 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: https://worldhappiness.report/news/its-a-three-peat-finland-keeps-top-spot-as-happiest-country-in-world/
For more information about living in Finland: https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/living-in-finland
Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, to extend the application period and to consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.
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