The Finnish Doctoral Programme in Computational Chemistry and Molecular Spectroscopy (Laskennallisen kemian ja molekyylispektroskopian tohtoriohjelma, LASKEMO) invites applications for both funded and non-funded graduate school positions, to be filled for a maximum of four years (starting on January 1st, 2012 and ending on December 31st, 2015 at the latest). The number of funded positions is six (6).
The applicants are required to hold a Master of Science or equivalent degree before starting at LASKEMO. For the funded positions, fresh M.Sc. graduates (with the degree obtained in 2011) will be strongly prioritized. Adequate proficiency in one of the domestic languages (Finnish and Swedish) or English is to be proven, when not obvious, either via an interview or TOEFL certificate. Equality in gender and nationality of the applicants is strictly inforced.
The salaries of successful candidates will be based on the university salary system, and will depend on personal skills and experience.
The position holders will work at one of the following universities: University of Helsinki, Aalto University, University of Jyväskylä, University of Oulu, Tampere University of Technology, and University of Turku, Finland.
The successful candidates are expected to carry out computational/theoretical and/or experimental spectroscopic work with projects on at least one of the following topics:
-Conformational dynamics of biologically relevant molecules.
-Fast optical spectroscopy.
-High-accuracy modelling and theory of molecular materials and spectroscopy,
using wave function-based and/or density-functional methods.
-Molecular materials of solar energy harvesting.
-Nuclear magnetic resonance or x-ray spectroscopy of molecular materials.
-Optical low-temperature matrix spectroscopy including novel noble gas
compounds.
-Photoactive molecules and molecular assemblies.
-Theory and modelling of solutions, surfaces, and molecular dynamics.
The accepted candidates are also expected to have a main and a co-supervisor at one or two of the listed universities, and to commit themselves for pursuing a doctoral degree in one of the listed universities, within the time frame of the appointment. A co-supervisor from outside the main field of research of the applicant (e.g., chemistry/physics/biosciences, experiment/theory or fundamental/applied) is considered a merit.
The supervisors of the accepted candidates are requested to commit themselves to the PhD project and participate actively to the LASKEMO activities including meetings, tasks related to student admission, publicizing, etc. This commitment shall be indicated in letter(s) of support to be attached to the application.
The steering group of LASKEMO will make the decisions concerning admission. The final acceptance to LASKEMO will be subject to granting a PhD student status at one of the participating universities.
The application materials are to be received by October 15th, 2011, at LASKEMO, Laboratory for Instruction in Swedish, Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 55 (A.I. Virtasen aukio 1), FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland. They can also be sent via email to chem-office@helsinki.fi The application form can be downloaded HERE
For queries contact the chairman of LASKEMO Prof. Dage Sundholm (sundholm@chem.helsinki.fi) or the vice-chairman Prof. Kari Laasonen (kari.laasonen@aalto.fi).