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.

We are now looking for a

DOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

for a funded position in an industrial collaboration project together with Neste Oyj, related to development of dynamic trickle bed reactor models. The project duration is four years, during which you are expected to finalize your PhD degree.

Your role and goals

Trickle bed reactors are in a central position in many refinery operations, both in traditional oil refining as well as treatment of novel bio-based feedstocks. Trickle bed operations have been studied from many angles, including fluid flow models, chemical kinetics, and mass transfer. Despite these, there is still a need for dynamic models of trickle bed reactors with both industrial and scientific importance. Your task would be to develop such models based on literature, in collaboration with an industrial partner. You should:

• Collect and critically analyze relevant literature
• Build and analyze models for predicting dynamic trickle bed reactor operations, including material and energy balances, reaction kinetics, mass and heat transfer, phase equilibria, fluid flow, and process control and operation
• Collaborate with other members of the research group and external partners to achieve project goals
• Present research findings at conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals

Your network and team

You will be working in the Chemical Engineering research group lead by professor Ville Alopaeus. Chemical Engineering research group is part of Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering in the School of Chemical Engineering at Aalto University. Currently the research group consists of around 15 researchers in various roles related to research and teaching.

Your experience and ambitions

We are looking for motivated and research-oriented candidates with curious engineering mindset, good communication and collaboration skills and good understanding about mechanistic process modeling principles, phase equilibria, reaction engineering, heat and mass transfer, and fluid dynamics. A Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, or related field is required.

Applicants must fulfill the eligibility and admission criteria for Aalto Doctoral Programme in Chemical Engineering. Doctoral studies at Aalto University take approximately four years. You can find more information about Aalto’s doctoral program and its requirements here: https://www.aalto.fi/en/programmes/aalto-doctoral-programme-in-chemical-engineering

What we offer

We offer a fixed term contract initially for 2 years. During the first 6 months you must apply and receive a right to study in the Doctoral Programme in Chemical Engineering. After a successful evaluation by the end of the first 2 year contract, the contract will be extended. Extension contract is typically based on the progress evaluation, revised project plan and available funding.

The starting salary for a Doctoral Researcher is about 3140 €/month (gross). The contract includes Aalto University occupational healthcare benefits.

We value work-life balance and well-being in all aspects of life. The primary workplace will be the Otaniemi Campus in Espoo, Finland. Life on the revitalized campus is vibrant, featuring stunning architecture, tranquil nature, and a variety of cafes, restaurants, and services, all complemented by excellent public transportation connections.

We offer great possibilities for competence development and learning. We constantly keep learning to find the most impactful ways to empower – and invest in – our people.

Join us!

To apply, please submit your application including your through our recruitment site (click "Apply now!”) latest at 23.59pm (EET) 30th October 2026.

The application material should include:

• Motivation letter (maximum one page)
• CV and possible proofs of scientific activity (publications, conference papers etc.)
• A certified copy of master´s degree certificate and an official transcript of records
• Any other supporting documents, such as recommendation letters

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

Note that only submissions through the online recruitment system are accepted. Applications sent via email or other means will not be considered.

We will review the applications continuously, and we may invite suitable candidates to interview already during the application period.

For further information, please contact Professor Ville Alopaeus (email: [email protected])

Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos:

This is Aalto University!
Aalto University – Towards a better world
and Shaping a Sustainable Future.

Read more about working at Aalto: https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto and check out our new virtual campus experience: https://virtualtour.aalto.fi

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 listed again as the happiest country in the world: World Happiness Report

For more information about living in Finland: Aalto Careers for International Staff.

More about Aalto University:

Aalto.fi
youtube.com/user/aaltouniversity
linkedin.com/school/aalto-university/
www.facebook.com/aaltouniversity
instagram.com/aaltouniversity

To view information about Workday Accessibility, please click here.

Please see more of our Open Positions here.