Doctoral researcher and/or Post-doctoral researcher on compound semiconductor energy converters
Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 120 nationalities, 14 000 students, 400 professors and close to 5000 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community's diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.
The Engineered NanoSystems (ENS researcher group) at Aalto University School of Science is looking for
Doctoral and/or Post-doctoral researchers on compound semiconductor energy converters.
We are looking for new highly motivated colleagues to work on developing electroluminescent and thermophotonic energy converters based on III-V compound semiconductors and thin-film devices. Our work spans the full range of topics from epitaxial growth and material development to device design, characterization and modeling, fully integrating activities joining a team of theoreticians and experimentalists.
About the Engineered NanoSystems (ENS) research group
The work at ENS combines the research of optical thermodynamics with semiconductor energy conversion, forming one of the leading clusters for the research of termophotonics. The group aims to demonstrate and develop optical heat pumps and energy harvesting approaches that are based on electroluminescence and related new device architectures. While presently based at the university and providing a cutting edge clean room environment for academic research, we also have a strong ambition towards enabling broader use of the developed technologies outside the university environment.
Who we are looking for
We are particularly looking for persons with a background, expertise and interest in III-V semiconductor device fabrication, epitaxy, optical packaging and theory e.g. in the form of GaAs solar cells and LEDs. Depending on your background, you will have the possibility to contribute to various aspects of our work, aiming to demonstrate the next break-throughs in solid state optical cooling [1].
The ideal candidates provide, depending on their respective career stage:
- Good knowledge of the optics and physics of compound semiconductors (emphasis on GaAs based materials, MOCVD, solar cells, infrared lasers and/or LEDs)
- Experience/interest on III-V device clean room processing, tools and process development
- Experience/interest in materials and characterization techniques and optical encapsulation
- Strong analytical skills combined with team working skills, sociable character and a good command of English
- Resourcefulness and aptitude for independent and open minded thinking
- Earlier studies on a suitable field
We are primarily looking for post-doctoral candidates but may also consider doctoral candidate applicants having an excellent match with our specific needs. Doctoral candidates also must fulfill the admission requirements for the Aalto Doctoral Programme in Science. More information on the general requirements and the Doctoral Programme in Science: Aalto Doctoral Programme in Science | Aalto University. Please check the student information, admission criteria and pay attention to the required (English) language proficiency. Typically, the total duration of Ph.D. studies is four (4) years.
What we offer
You will be working in a research team of ~10-15 persons working on closely connected topics from theory to device fabrication on projects funded by the EIC, ERC and national foundations. The research takes place at Aalto University and Micronova clean room facilities, located at Espoo, Finland. Micronova is the largest clean room facility in the nordic countries and Finland offers a clean, safe and naturally beautiful environment having several world's best country/city nominations over the past few years, as well as four distinct seasons, outstanding social security system and a high standard of living.
The positions are scheduled up to 3-5 years, but following the standard Aalto´s practice the Doctoral researcher position contract will be made initially for two years, then extended after a successful mid-term progress review (typically in total 2+2 years).
The salary levels follow the salary system of Finnish universities, typically setting the salary of a post-doctoral researcher to 4403,16 €/month. The starting salary of a doctoral researcher is approximately 3142,65 €/month, and it will increase with achievements, such as scientific publications.
The positions are full-time, and the annual workload for Aalto University's research and teaching staff is 1,612 hours. The employment contract includes occupational health services provided by Aalto University.
We strive to combine the best aspects of remote and in-person work, and we offer flexible working hours. Your workstation is located in the renewed and vibrant Otaniemi campus area, which has diverse services and good transport connections. We operate in a hybrid model, with the primary workplace located at the Otaniemi campus in Espoo. The work must be done in Finland.
Join us!
If you are interested, kindly submit the following documents (only in PDF-format, written in English) at latest 30.11.2026 through our recruitment system Workday ("Apply now!"):
- Motivation letter,
- CV + list of publications
- Your degree or transcript of records and a copy of your most recent degree, if you are about to graduate with a master's degree.
- Any other documents such as recommendations that explain your suitability and support your application
We wish to fill the positions as soon as possible, and may start interviewing candidates before the end of the call.
If you have further enquiries on the tasks, positions or the ENS team, please contact by email at jani(dot)oksanen(at)aalto.fi.
For general questions about the recruiting process, you may contact Dilan Kucukaslan, HR Advisor, hr-nbe(at)aalto.fi.
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).
Read more about working at Aalto: https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto
Check out our new virtual campus experience: https://virtualtour.aalto.fi/
Further information:
Aalto university:
Micronova clean room facilities:
https://www.aalto.fi/en/otanano/micronova
Background papers
[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-020-0600-6
About Finland
Finland is a great place for living with or without family – it is a safe, politically stable and well-organized Nordic society. Finland is consistently ranked high in quality of life and was listed again as the happiest country in the world: World Happiness Report 2024
For more information about living in Finland: Aalto Careers for International Staff.
