Application closes on
12.8.2022
Unit
School of Chemical Engineering
Job category
Students (assisting teaching and research)
Aalto University is a community of bold thinkers where science and art meet technology and business. We are committed to identifying and solving grand societal challenges and building an innovative future. Aalto has six schools with nearly 11 000 students and a staff of more than 4000, of which 400 are professors. Our main campus is located in Espoo, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness in the future as well. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.
A Master’s thesis position is available in the Biopolymer Chemistry and Engineering group, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems (School of Chemical Engineering) at Aalto University. The topic of the thesis is “Influence of impurities accumulating in the IL system on the IONCELL® spinning process” and the work will be done in collaboration with recently established start-up company Ioncell Oy.
Your role and goals
We are looking for a student to do his/her Master of Science (M.Sc.) thesis with us on influence of impurities accumulating in the IL system on the IONCELL® spinning process. It is known that small amounts of pulp-based impurities accumulate in the IL. These impurities might have an effect to the spinning but this has not been investigated before. In the thesis work, the first task is to determine the quantitative and qualitative composition of the impurities released from the pulp used in model experiments in which a pulp solution is exposed to drastic temperatures and times beyond those usually encountered in operation. Based on these findings, spinning trials are carried out in the laboratory in which the detected organic and inorganic impurities are systematically increased until their effects negatively influence the flow behavior of the solution (rheology), the spinnability as a function of the DR and finally the properties of the fibers obtained.
Your work will include preparation and implementation of the model experiments. Impurities in IL will be identified and quantified by various advanced analytical methods (LC-MS, ICP-OES, NMR). IL liquid is then doped with the impurities, simulating an increasing number of spinning cycles and spinning trials are done with the laboratory spinning plant. Characterization of the IL in the process, spinning solution, and produced fibers is also part of the thesis work.
Potential candidate should have an interest and understanding of laboratory work and cellulosic biobased materials. Knowledge on textile fibers or analytical methods is not mandatory. Interest in the advanced analytical methods and motivation in the method development is, however, beneficial. We expect motivation in the laboratory working and good scientific reporting skills in English. The research team is international, and thus good English skills (both oral and written) are needed.
The master thesis work can be started in September 2022.
Your experience and ambitions
We offer a multidisciplinary working environment, related to sustainable textiles and fashion. We would like the student to have:
· Experimental know-how in laboratory working
· Very good study record
· Good English writing and speaking
· Good team working skills
Ready to apply?
To apply for the position, please submit your application including the attachments mentioned below as one single PDF document in English through our online recruitment system by using the link on Aalto University’s web page (“Apply Now”).
Aalto University’s employees and visitors 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, please include the following documents in English and in PDF format:
· CV
· Motivation letter (max 1 page)
· Study transcripts
The deadline for applications is 12.08.2022. The employment contract for M.Sc. thesis is aimed for 5 months at full-time capacity. The workload can be executed on a part-time basis for up to 9 months, depending on the ongoing activities of the employed student.
More Information
If you wish to hear more about the position, you can reach out to Staff Scientist Leena Pitkänen (leena.pitkanen(at)aalto.fi) and in application process related questions HR Coordinator Tiina Torvinen (tiina.torvinen(at)aalto.fi).
Interested?