Professor Position (Tenure Track) in Experimental Quantum Materials research at Aalto University (Finland)
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 University has six schools with nearly 11 000 students and nearly 400 professors. Our campus is located in Espoo, Finland.
Aalto University School of Science invites applications for:
Professor Position (Tenure Track) in Experimental Quantum Materials research
Your role and goals
The position is open to talented individuals who hold a doctorate in physics or a closely related field and have excellent potential for a productive scientific career. Materials is one of the strategic focus areas of Aalto University. Quantum physics, condensed matter physics and quantum technology are among the key research areas at the Department of Applied Physics. As part of a national initiative in quantum technologies (InstituteQ), the department opens a position in experimental quantum materials research. Quantum materials are defined broadly in this context, ranging from atomistically grown materials to mesoscopic designer matter. A non-exhaustive list of fields that we are interested in is 2D materials, strongly correlated oxides, superconducting materials, topological matter, photonic or magnonic metamaterials, polariton or photon condensates, as well as designer quantum matter created using, e.g., atomic scale manipulation, atomic-molecular-optical systems, or mesoscopic quantum systems.
We expect the applicant’s research to focus on in-depth physical (electronic, optical, magnetic, mechanical, or similar) characterization as well as design of quantum materials, with the goal of finding novel fundamental phenomena as well as functionalities possibly leading to applications in quantum, information, energy, or other technologies. The appointed professor will be closely connected with the OtaNano national infrastructure which includes: the Micronova, Nanomicroscopy Centre and Low Temperature Laboratory, and the equipment of the Department of Applied Physics. For links to these facilities see “Ready to apply?” below.
The nominated candidate is expected to create and consolidate synergies with the forth-coming InstituteQ. The candidate is also expected to take responsibility for education in this field at Aalto University. Preference will be given to candidates who plan to integrate their research with the activities of the department. We give priority for candidates at the Assistant Professor level, but exceptional candidates for the Associate and Full Professor levels may be considered as well.
Your experience
Throughout their career, those in the academic tenure track system are expected to exercise and guide scientific research, to provide related higher academic education, to follow advances in their field, to participate in service to the Aalto University community, and to take part in societal interaction and international collaboration in their field.
We seek applicants who have
- A doctorate in physics or a closely related field;
- Potential to carry out research and attract research funding at the highest level;
- Interest to take responsibility for education in quantum materials;
- Potential to contribute significantly to the development of InstituteQ;
- Ability to be an effective teacher in the undergraduate and graduate degree programmes of the School of Science.
The applicants will be reviewed on the basis of their merits in research, teaching, academic/technological leadership, and activities in the scientific community, including in R&D, in accordance with their career stage. A more detailed description of the tenure track system at Aalto University is available at https://www.aalto.fi/en/tenure-track
Aalto University is committed to promoting diversity, equality and non-discrimination in all its activities. Thus, we promote equal opportunities to learn, acquire knowledge, participate and to make a difference. We encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds and especially women, who are underrepresented in this field, to apply. As an equal-opportunity employer, Aalto University founds its recruitment decisions on applicants’ competencies, skills and aptitudes. Aalto’s recruitment processes are clearly defined, transparent and fair, and allow the relevant areas to be emphasised when recruiting people to positions in the various career systems and levels. Career breaks due to periods of parental leave and other obligatory absences, such as military service, will be taken into account to your benefit when considering applications.
What we offer
The professor will join an inspiring and supportive work community of experienced professionals and high-quality students. Aalto University follows the salary system of Finnish universities, but applicants may also provide salary requirements. As an employer, Aalto University provides excellent staff training and mentoring programmes as well as occupational health care services, commuter ticket benefits and campus sport facilities. In addition, we offer extensive research support services such as grant writing and project management. The position will be located at the Aalto University Otaniemi Campus.
For more Information
For additional information, please contact the Chair of the tenure track committee, Professor Päivi Törmä, tel. +358 50 3826770, or in questions related to the recruitment process HR-coordinator Stefan Ehrstedt, tel. +358 50 340 7662. E-mails: paivi.torma@aalto.fi and stefan.ehrstedt@aalto.fi
Ready to apply?
The application material for the tenure track position includes
- Cover Letter stating whether you apply for the assistant professor level (roughly 3-8 years since PhD, excluding parental leaves and equivalent), or some other professor level.
- Curriculum Vitae (with contact information and ResearcherID number, max. 2 pages)
- Summary of merits and highest achievements in research (max. 2 pages)
- List of publications in which the 10 most significant publications/patents are highlighted (1…10)
- A research statement describing past research and plans for future research (max. 5 pages). Please include a description of the experimental infrastructure you need and a cost estimate, as well as of your possibilities of utilizing the existing infra and/or sharing your equipment. For existing infra see Otanano national infrastructure (https://www.aalto.fi/en/otanano) which includes: the Micronova (https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/about-micronova), Nanomicroscopy Centre (https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/otanano-nanomicroscopy-center) and Low Temperature laboratory (https://www.aalto.fi/en/otanano/low-temperature-laboratory), and the equipment of the Department of Applied Physics (https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/experimental-equipment-of-the-department-of-applied-physics).
- A teaching statement, including information on teaching, responsibilities regarding course preparation, experience on supervising theses and development of teaching in general (max 2 pages)
- Reference letters (max. 3 letters) – Referees should send these directly to (references-ap@aalto.fi) where the subject field of the email is “Surname first name” of the applicant receiving the reference. The reference letter should be in PDF and include the contact details of the referee. Reference letters are not needed for the Full Professor level (Full Professor recruitments are subjected only for external expert review).
General instructions for applicants, including language requirements and CV, are given at https://www.aalto.fi/en/tenure-track/interested-in-joining-our-tenure-track
All material should be submitted in English and must be enclosed as a single standard pdf file with file name “lastname_firstname_application.pdf. The first document of the pdf file is the cover letter, followed by the appendices in the order given in the list above. Applications should be written using a minimum font size of 11 pt. The application materials will not be returned.
Applications for tenure track positions should be addressed to the Dean of Aalto University’s School of Science. The deadline for the applications is 31.12.2020 (before midnight Finnish time). Please refer to the title of the position concerned in your application.
Apply through the link Apply now! at the bottom of this page.
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.
Why Aalto University?
For applicants selected for tenure track positions, the university provides relocation support, such as assistance with finding housing and kindergartens/schools located on campus and nearby, and career support for accompanying partners. Aalto University encourages flexible working hours to allow a healthy balance between work and family life. For all new staff members and their families, Aalto University provides dedicated introductory social and cultural events around the year. The university has six schools with nearly 11 000 students and 400 professors committed to building both foundations and innovative applications that shape the future through science, technology, art, and business, with excellent opportunities for collaboration with local partners at Aalto University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and University of Helsinki. In addition to its strong academic community, the Helsinki region is a vibrant technology and innovation hub with easy access to major partners, both private and public. The Department of Applied Physics is located at the main Otaniemi Campus of Aalto University, 15 minutes from the centre of Helsinki by metro. Helsinki International Airport (HEL) is one of the hubs of air traffic between Europe and Asia, with direct flights to a large number of destinations around the world.
About Finland
Finland is a great place to live; it is a safe, politically stable and well-organized Nordic country with high-quality free education, excellent health care and affordable childcare. Finland consistently ranks highly in terms of quality of life: http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/finland/ and was recently listed as the happiest country in the world: http://worldhappiness.report/news/finland-again-is-the-happiest-country-in-the-world/. For more information about living in Finland, see: https://www.aalto.fi/services/about-finland.