Students Wanted for Exciting Summer Jobs at the School of Chemical Engineering

We're looking for enthusiastic students to join our research groups for the summer for several different positions. The ideal candidate is highly motivated and able to e.g. assist and carry out various lab tasks, run experiments and develop research skills. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in ongoing research projects, and work side-by-side with doctoral researchers and post docs.

The open positions are in all the departments of our School:

Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems (Bio2), the Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering and the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science.

How to apply?

Please submit your application through our recruitment system by using the "Apply” link on this page.

If you are currently employed by Aalto University: Please submit your application directly in Workday system using your existing user account (by writing “Find jobs” in the Workday search field).

Please include the following documents in your application:

• CV

• Application letter – A brief introduction of yourself and preferred starting and ending dates for employment

• Transcript of study records

You can apply for one or max three of the open positions. Please prioritize your choices using the position codes. You'll find each position code after the name of the position in the list below - please remember your choices when you move forward with your application.

Depending on the position, the summer job can last for 3- 4 months and is carried out between May and September 2025. Please note that these summer job positions are available for undergraduate students.

We are looking forward to hearing from you – please submit your application as soon as possible, but latest on 9 February 2025. We will start reviewing candidates immediately, and the positions will be filled as soon as suitable candidates are found.

In any recruitment process related questions, please contact HR Advisor Kristiina Hallaselkä, [email protected].

Please find detailed descriptions of the open positions by department and research group below:

POSITIONS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOPRODUCTS AND BIOSYSTEMS (BIO2)

Biohybrid Materials [Code: Kostiainen BiHy]

Would you like to study biomaterials and develop your expertise in e.g. DNA nanotechnology, organic synthesis and supramolecular chemistry? We are looking for highly motivated students to summer internship and diploma thesis positions in the Biohybrid Materials Group.

We offer several topics related to the group’s research interests at the forefront of biomaterials science, for example: 1. Structural DNA nanotechnology (DNA origami preparation and characterization). 2. Organic synthesis (Supramolecular host molecules). 3. Physical virology (new virus polymorphs and capsid loading strategies).

As a successful applicant you should be highly motivated in experimental science and have a background in chemical technology, biosciences, physics or a closely related field. Completed B.Sc. degree is an advantage.

Further information: http://chemtech.aalto.fi/bihy

POSITIONS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND MATERIALS SCIENCE

Soft Materials Modelling [Code: Sammalkorpi SOFT]

Are you interested in biomolecular solutions phase transitions, responsive polymer assemblies, or self-organization of colloidal materials at molecular level? Does computer simulations and theory research at the interface of chemistry, physics, and biosciences sound like your thing? The Soft Materials Modelling group is looking for research-oriented B.Sc. or M.Sc. students with, for example, biomaterials, chemistry, or physics backgrounds to do research in the Academy of Finland Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER).

We tend to get excited about fundamentals in phenomena involving liquids, protein assemblies, polymer materials, and colloidal responsive systems, such as emulsions and foams. Applications include advanced biosynthetic designer materials, drug transport, and adaptive coatings. Our main methodology approaches are molecular and mesoscale modelling (computer simulations), as well as theory work.

Good study record and at minimum, 2 first years of B.Sc. studies completed expected. Ability with computers is an advance. The group has also M.Sc. thesis opportunities and possibilities for doctoral studies.

For further information contact Prof. Maria Sammalkorpi

https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-chemistry-and-materials-science/soft-materials-modelling

https://www.libercentre.fi/

Electrochemical Energy Conversion [Code: Kallio EEC]

Are you interested in developing more sustainable materials and devices for such applications as lithium batteries, hydrogen generation via water electrolysis or conversion of waste CO2 to valuable products? Our team focuses on improving material and energy efficiency of these and other emerging electrochemical energy conversion and storage processes to facilitate the ongoing green transition. The practical research work covers material synthesis, chemical characterizations, and electrochemical investigations in lab-scale devices and aims at understanding the connection between material structure and electrochemical properties. If you are interested in the positions, previous experience in synthesis and characterization is beneficial, likewise knowledge on electrochemistry.

Further information Prof. Tanja Kallio and Dr. Milla Vikberg (https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-chemistry-and-materials-science/electrochemical-energy-conversion-and-storage).

Inorganic Materials Modelling [Code: Karttunen IMM-energy]

Join us to develop novel functional materials for improving energy efficiency. Research topics are available for example in the fields of pyroelectric and thermoelectric energy conversion. The research is carried out with quantum chemical materials modelling methods.

Applications from both BSc and MSc students are welcome. Previous experience in computational chemistry, solid-state chemistry, or Python programming are significant merits, but not required.

Further information: Prof. Antti Karttunen

https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-chemistry-and-materials-science/inorganic-materials-modelling

Inorganic Materials Modelling [Code: Karttunen IMM-teaching]

Would you like to affect the way we teach at Aalto CHEM? We are looking for a student who would be interested in developing new educational content for BSc-level education. The work involves course material development for several BSc-level courses. Applicants with experience in Python programming would also have the possibility to work as a teaching assistant on the course CHEM-A2600 Programming for Chemical Engineers (during study period V and June).

Applications from both BSc and MSc students are welcome. Requirements for the position:

• Excellent command of Finnish is required.

• Good study success in CHEM BSc or MSc courses is a significant merit.

• Previous experience in Python programming is a significant merit, but not required.

• Previous teaching experience is a significant merit, but not required.

Further information: Prof. Antti Karttunen

Inorganic Materials Modelling [Code: Karttunen IMM-virtuell]

We are looking for a summer student who would be interested in developing BSc-level teaching materials in Swedish. The work involves for example Finnish-to-Swedish translation of BSc-level course materials and virtual laboratories (see https://lab.aalto.fi/).

Applications from both BSc and MSc students are welcome. Requirements for the position:

• Excellent command of Swedish is required.

• Good command of Finnish and English is required.

• Good study success in CHEM BSc or MSc courses is a significant merit.

• Practical experience from chemistry laboratory courses is a significant merit.

Further information: Prof. Antti Karttunen

Large scale energy storage [Code: Peljo FLOWBAT]

Join us to develop materials and technologies for storage of solar and wind energy. Our group moves to Aalto from University of Turku in April 2025. Research topic in the summer could focus for example testing of new materials for flow batteries, development of robotic tools for accelerated experimental testing, or hydrogen generation from charged flow battery electrolyte. The research is mainly experimental and carried out in laboratory, however also some desk top work with data treatment and literature survey may be included. Applications from both BSc and MSc students are welcome. Previous experience in laboratory work or knowledge of electrochemistry is useful, but not required. For accelerated experimental testing, knowledge of programming and electronics is required. 

For further information contact Prof. Pekka Peljo ([email protected]) https://www.utu.fi/en/university/faculty-of-technology/mechanical-and-materials-engineering/research/battery-materials-and-technologies

POSITIONS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL AND METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING

Chemical Engineering research group [Code: Alopaeus CHEMENG]

Chemical Engineering research group is focusing on industrial impact based on fundamental chemical and physical sciences. We are specialized in experimental work related to physical properties and phase equilibria, separation processes, and process modeling. Based on these, we can develop and design large scale chemical processes with huge positive impact in environment, economy, and human life.

We are looking for two summer trainees to explore phase equilibria related to CO2 utilization and chemical recycling of plastics. You will be guided by our PhD students and senior faculty members working actively in these fields. Both MSc and BSc students are welcome. Lab work experience is required, and relevant successful studies considered as an asset. Besides safe and careful laboratory work, you are expected to analyze the results and report your work.

For further information contact Prof. Ville Alopaeus [email protected]

Catalysis Research Group [Code: Puurunen CatalysisGroup]

How about a summer doing catalysis-related research? In the Catalysis Research Group, we carry out multidisciplinary research at the crossroads of technical chemistry and inorganic/organic/physical chemistry. We develop and characterize heterogeneous catalysts for applications such as carbon dioxide hydrogenation to methanol, hydrotreating for renewable fuels, and glycerol to green aromatics. Catalysts are prepared for example by impregnation and atomic layer deposition. Catalyst characterization is made by various means, including conventional chemical analysis and adsorption-related methods. 

The summer job is mainly experimental work in the laboratory, and also some data treatment and literature survey may be included. Applications from both third-year BSc and MSc students are welcome. Previous experience in laboratory work and knowledge of catalysis (e.g. CHEM-E1130 course) is appreciated. 

It will be good to know that the whole group takes, at the same time, a summer break of three weeks, and this includes summer students as well (likely the break will be some time in July). 

Contact: M.Sc. Joakim Kattelus, [email protected] 

Group website: https://www.aalto.fi/cmet/catalysis 

Process engineering for the circular economy of raw materials [Code: Serna MinPro]

One of the major challenges in our modern world is an ever-increasing demand of raw materials. For that reason, the aim of our group is to find technological solutions to address the current needs related to the production of inorganic raw materials, whether from primary or secondary sources.

We are looking for enthusiastic students at Bachelor’s or Master’s level to support our research projects on raw materials recycling and circular economy engineering. In this role, you may carry out experimental and simulation work on recycling processes to recover the highly valuable active materials. Our work covers aspects form characterization of materials using novel techniques such as electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis to bench-scale separation of components using froth flotation.

Ideal candidates would be studying programs in metallurgical engineering, chemical engineering, mineral processing, environmental engineering, materials science or similar. Experience in laboratory work is considered an asset.

Further information: Prof. Rodrigo Serna

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