Postdoctoral researcher to join us in “Hydrogen Future as Climate Change Solution (H2FUTURE)”

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 3,600 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based education to build a more sustainable, smarter, and more humane world. The University of Oulu community has about 17,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations.  

We are now looking for a

Postdoctoral Researcher

to join us in the “Hydrogen Future as Climate Change Solution (H2FUTURE)” program at the University of Oulu, Faculty of Technology.

About us

The Process Metallurgy unit is a key part of the Centre for Advanced Steels Research (CASR) and is in the center of the University of Oulu profiling area “Hydrogen future and Sustainable steel”. In the research unit, there are four professors focusing on pyrometallurgical metal production and other high-temperature processes with a main emphasis on the production of iron, steel and ferroalloys. Research is executed in close cooperation with the metallurgical industry. At the moment, the key areas of research are circular economy and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in metal production by hydrogen reduction, electrified processes and biofuels. There are also two university lecturers and eleven postdoctoral researchers to help fulfil the supervision of doctoral and master students.

HYDROGEN FUTURE AS A CLIMATE SOLUTION (H2FUTURE) combines the University of Oulu’s research strengths in future H2 production, sustainable metals reduction processes, and hydrogen-resistant steel development to a unique, holistic, multidisciplinary research community with the ambition in enabling green and sustainable hydrogen transition. H2FUTURE is leveraging research excellence in future energy formation and its applications to mitigate the energy and environmental crisis.

H2FUTURE stands on fundamental research on physics, chemistry, process metallurgy, physical metallurgy and mechanical engineering related to H2FUTURE thematic. Thematic covers but is not limited to energy-efficient and climate-neutral hydrogen production, fossil-free metals production, and the development of steels for hydrogen transition. 

H2FUTURE forms a part of our national profiling actions supported by the Academy of Finland and actively interacts with other profile areas of InStream, Genome of Steel, and HiDyn within the University of Oulu’s research focuses. By recruiting talented researchers from natural sciences and engineering, H2FUTURE is accumulating knowledge to bolster scientific profiles and moreover creating new research expertise to develop the profile at the University of Oulu.

About the job

We are now looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral researcher to contribute to a research project on multi-scale modelling of hydrogen based direct reduction (4 years fully funded by H2FUTURE). It is possible to shine a light on this technology only if we are able to understand all the phenomena involved starting from an atomic level scale up to the analysis of the process on an industrial scale. Therefore, to achieve this objective, a profound knowledge of the transformation phenomena underlying the entire process is necessary.

The research is expected to deal with the most efficient modelling tools to be integrated to forecast the raw materials behaviour in different shapes, with different compositions and with various structures in high-temperature hydrogen atmosphere from the molecular transformations to the multi-pellets or multi-briquettes reduction in industrial shaft furnaces. More specifically, various modes of iron-based oxides raw materials transformations will be integrated in order to model the overall process in a very precise and efficient way. The approach is expected to be a modelling-based one supported by experimental data.

The chosen candidate, as a doctoral researcher focused on artificial intelligence for hydrogen ironmaking, will undertake cutting-edge research aimed at designing future-generation hydrogen-based ironmaking processes. Leveraging your expertise in simulations tools such as HSC, FactSage, Comsol Multiphysics, Ansys Fluent as well as proficiency in process metallurgy basis, you will explore novel approaches to address the underlined challenges.

Responsibilities

• Conducting original research to develop artificial intelligence-based tools capable of predicting and optimizing hydrogen-assisted ironmaking processes on different length scales.
• Applying different experimental-modelling techniques to evaluate the processing evolution and predict the optimal route depending on the raw materials properties.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of researchers and engineers to design and execute experimental studies to validate modelling predictions.
• Analyze experimental data to gain insights into the main mechanisms governing the overall process.
• Present research findings at conferences, publish scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to the dissemination of knowledge within the scientific community.
• Work closely with industry partners to ensure the relevance and applicability of research outcomes to real-world engineering challenges.

Who are you?

Requirements for the position

• A doctoral degree in a relevant field awarded not more than ten years ago.
• A transdisciplinary research orientation with demonstrated research experience or interest.
• Capacity to collaborate in research and research dissemination activities.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills in English.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Motivated and self-driven with a passion for scientific research and innovation.
• Experience with relevant programming languages such as Matlab, R, Python or similar.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

The candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications, suitability for the research topics, and potential as researchers. The following merits are seen as a strong advantage:

• Successful acquisition of competitive research funds.
• Strong background in process metallurgy, material science or computer science.
• Knowledge of AI-based research-orientated activities.
• Knowledge of hydrogen-assisted ironmaking processing.

What we offer?

• We offer a supportive academic environment in a community of committed scholars, excellent research infrastructures and the possibility to make use of funding opportunities to generate new research ideas.
• We offer you a place in a highly talented research group, working to solve globally significant research problems.
• University´s wide variety of support services is at your disposal, allowing you to focus on your studies and research.
• Regular salary is paid 12 months per year, including paid leave and an additional holiday bonus each summer.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits. 
• Development and career options of the big organization.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and close ones in settling into Oulu.
• We have an HR Excellence in Research -quality label which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers. 
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, an excellent education system, and a competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Salary

The position is fixed-term for 4 years as of 01.01.2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The salary will be based on levels 5-6 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (a maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). The starting gross salary will be approx. 3600-4200 € per month (before taxes).

A trial period of 6 months is applied for the position.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 21.11.2024 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

The application should be written in English and include the following:

1. CV, following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
2. Cover letter
   A cover letter (max. 2 pages) summarizing the applicant’s professional experience and expertise and describing why the applicant is interested in this position. Also, information on personal research interests, experience of programming (by Matlab, R, Python or similar) and career plans should be described here.
3. List of publications, following the guidelines of the Academy of Finland
4. Certificates/Diplomas
   Certificates/Diplomas: Scanned copy of the original doctoral degree certificate and, when necessary, official translations to Finnish or English. In case the degree is still in process, please give an official notification from the supervisor or faculty to address the estimated date of defense.
5. Research Plan
   A research plan, approx. 3 pages, on the topic area of this call, in English, detailing:
   - Basis from existing research that applicant links to this research work
   - Interesting focus areas in the research from the applicant point of view
6. Contact details of 2-4 persons available for recommendation.

The eligible applicants fitting best in the profile expected for the position will be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, such as people of different ages, different genders and members of different language, cultural or minority groups.

Contact Information

If you have any further questions regarding the H2FUTURE project, please contact the coordinator of H2FUTURE:

Filipp Temerov, filipp.temerov@oulu.fi, tel.+358 50 569 7739

1. Pasquale Daniele Cavaliere, +358504621674