About the position
Doctoral researcher (PhD student) in thin films for electrocatalysis
We are seeking for a curious, self-driven doctoral researcher to develop active, durable, and cost-efficient thin film electrocatalysts based on earth-abundant elements for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) aimed at anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzers.
As a doctoral researcher, you will deposit thin film catalysts using primarily atomic layer deposition (ALD) and characterize them physicochemically and electrochemically to understand their performance and structure as well as changes in both.
The project offers opportunities for international conferences and research mobility.
You will work in the Academy Research Fellowship project "Thin film precatalysts for water electrolysis (ThinCat)" of Assistant Professor Miika Mattinen, who will be your doctoral supervisor.
Mattinen's recently founded Atomic Scale Processing group, working with a postdoctoral researcher to be recruited for the ThinCat project and researchers to be recruited for European Research Council's Starting Grant project that uses ALD to engineer enhanced PEM electrolyzers as well as other future team members.
Experience in experimental laboratory research
You will be working in a field that aligns with the excellent infrastructure and strong research activities of the School of Chemical Engineering in Aalto University in ALD, electrochemistry, and beyond.
Your topic relates to the purpose of Aalto University as a whole, which is to shape a sustainable future by combining expertise in science, art, technology and business to develop creative solutions to the world's major challenges, such as the climate crisis.
With this, you will be able to develop you own ideas and scientific independence while working as a member of an inclusive, curious and ambitious team of researchers.
Aalto offers a vast array of professional development opportunities to grow and learn based on your interests and needs.
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.
Extension contract is typically based on the progress evaluation, revised project plan and available funding.
The starting salary for a Doctoral Researcher is 3142,65 €/month (gross).
To apply, please submit your application including your CV and motivation letter through our recruitment site (click "Apply now!") latest at 23.59pm (EET) 11th October 2026.
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
youtube.com/user/aaltouniversity
linkedin.com/school/aalto-university/
www.facebook.com/aaltouniversity
What you’ll bring
- You have the opportunity to become an expert in both thin films and electrochemistry - fields that are key to numerous crucial technologies and sustainability.
- A Master's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, (Materials) Physics, or a related field
- Experience in experimental laboratory research
- Applicants must fulfill the eligibility and admission criteria for Aalto Doctoral Programme in Chemical Engineering.
At a glance
- Position type
- PhD
- Institution
- aalto-yliopisto
- Department
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Science
- Research group
- Not stated
- Location
- Espoo, Finland, FI
- Supervisor / contact person
- Prof. Miika Mattinen, Prof. Maarit Karppinen, Prof. Ville Miikkulainen, Prof. Tanja Kallio, Prof. Daniel Martin-Yerga, Prof. Pekka Peljo
- Funding
- Salaried
Extension contract is typically based on the progress evaluation, revised project plan and available funding.
The starting salary for a Doctoral Researcher is 3142,65 €/month (gross). - Duration
- 2 years
- Expected start
- Not stated
- Vacancy reference
- Not stated
Research focus
- Discipline
- Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering
- Research area
- Electrochemistry, Electrocatalysis
- Methods
- Synthesis, Spectroscopy, Microscopy
- Software
- Not stated
Dates to know
- Listed on FOSS Positions
- 17 Sep 2026
- Original advertisement date
- 2026-09-14
- Application deadline
- 12 Oct 2026 · 20:59 UTC
- Priority review date
- Not stated
- Last checked
- 17 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 17 Sep 2026
2026-10-12T20:59:59+00:00
How to apply
Are you passionate about materials, sustainability, and understanding how things work (or do not)? Are you interested in synthesizing thin film materials, characterizing their structure and electrochemical performance, and using this knowledge to engineer application-relevant devices?
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 can be extended. Extension contract is typically based on the progress evaluation, revised project plan and available funding.
To apply, please submit your application including your CV and motivation letter through our recruitment site (click "Apply now!") latest at 23.59pm (EET) 11th October 2026.
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
For more information about the role, please contact Assistant Professor Miika Mattinen (firstname.lastname@aalto.fi). For questions related to the application process, please contact HR Partner Eeva Käki (firstname.lastname@aalto.fi).
We will review the applications continuously, and we may invite suitable candidates to interview already during the application period.
Contact: firstname.lastname@aalto.fi
Original sources
Have a question about this position?
Send a private message to the FOSS Positions administrator.
Sign in to message the administrator →Questions & discussion 0
Ask about the opportunity or help another researcher. Comments are public and show your display name. Keep private information in Messages.
Be the first to ask a question or share something useful.
Join the conversation
Create an account and start commenting immediately. No email verification is required.