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23 Oct 2026
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Want to update your application? Log in. Together, Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences form a higher education community that places faith in people and scientific knowledge. Leading experts in the fields of technology, health and society are changing the world at Finlandâs second largest multidisciplinary higher education institution. The Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Tampere University is inviting applications for a tenure-track position in Processing of Sustainable Polymeric Materials. Tampere University offers a distinctive platform for sustainable polymer processing by combining polymer and composite processing, advanced materials characterization, mechanical performance research, scientific computing, circular economy expertise, and access to nearby pilot-scale industrial infrastructure. This creates an exceptional environment for developing polymeric materials from recycled, bio-based and other alternative feedstocks into technically reliable, durable and industrially scalable solutions. The recruited professor will join the Engineering Materials Science subunit within the Materials Science and Environmental Engineering unit, where their polymer science and engineering expertise connects to our existing expertise ranging from polymer chemistry to digital manufacturing and industrial collaboration. This allows the position to address the full value chain from feedstock variability and processability to processingâstructureâpropertyâperformance relationships, longâterm durability, pilotâscale validation and practical implementation. This focus differentiates the position from more conventional polymer materials appointments. The appointee will be able to build internationally visible research in an environment that combines fundamental materials science, experimental polymer processing, advanced characterization, mechanical and functional performance, dataâdriven and numerical approaches, and close links to Finnish and European industry. We are looking for a tenureâtrack professor who will use this ecosystem to translate sustainable polymer concepts into highâperformance materials for demanding applications. We are seeking highly motivated and accomplished candidates in the area of Processing of Sustainable Polymeric Materials to conduct highâlevel scientific and technological research with strong societal impact. Your research in this field could, for example, focus on: the valorization of recycled polymeric feedstocks through dataâintensive processing approaches, based on a detailed understanding of processingâstructureâpropertyâperformance relationships, to develop secondary raw materials for technical applications; or increasing the share of bioâbased raw materials in polymeric systems to enhance the sustainability of technical polymer products; or advancing methods for modelling, simulation, and analysis of polymer processing, including the use of AIâbased approaches, to improve the adaptability of industrial processes when utilizing alternative raw materials. We are especially interested in candidates who can build an internationally visible research profile at the interface of sustainable polymer feedstocks, processing science and applicationârelevant performance. The ideal candidate combines strong expertise in experimental polymer processing with one or more complementary strengths, such as recycled, bioâbased or hybrid polymer systems; rheology and process modelling; AIâor dataâdriven process optimization; mechanical durability and longâterm performance; composites, elastomers or coatings; or industrial scaleâup and validation. The successful candidate should be able to use Tampere Universityâs distinctive research environment to connect fundamental materials science with pilotâscale processing, advanced characterization, modelling and industrial collaboration. You may have a background in either academic or industrial research; however, you are expected to develop your own independent scientific research profile. Tampere offers an especially strong setting for this field because it combines a leading technology university with one of Finlandâs most established regions for applied engineering, manufacturing and industryâoriented innovation. The region provides a natural testbed for sustainable polymer processing: research can be connected to companies and value chains in plastics, composites, elastomers, packaging, construction, healthcare, transport, energy, coatings, machinery and material substitution capability related to security of supply. This industrial context makes it possible for the selected candidate to develop research that is scientifically ambitious, applicationâdriven and directly relevant to national and European needs in circularity, resource efficiency, lowâcarbon production, industrial renewal and resilient material supply chains. Tampere Universityâs links with industry organizations such as the Finnish Plastics Industries Federation, SAMPE Nordic and The Finnish Plastics Association, together with nearby infrastructures such as VTTâs polymer pilot facilities and InTire Labs , provide concrete routes for coâcreation with companies, pilotâscale validation, demonstration of research outcomes and longâterm societal impact. Your research should strengthen and be complementary to our present research in the Materials Science and Environmental Engineering unit and to address recent and emerging scientific and societal grand challenges such as sustainability in industrial applications. We appreciate your plans to connect your future research with relevant research groups at Tampere University in your field. Within the Engineering Materials Science subâunit, where the position is located, the most closely related group is Plastics and Elastomer Technology ( Profs. E. Sarlin and M. Kanerva ). However, there is also strong potential for collaboration with other groups, such as Coating Technologies ( Assoc. Prof. H. Koivuluoto ) and Impact ( Prof. M. Hokka and Asst. Prof. G. Mohanty ). More broadly within the unit, additional collaboration opportunities exist with the research groups of Chemistry and Advanced Materials (e.g. Asst. Prof. S. HĂ€kkinen ) and Bio and Circular Economy (e.g. Profs. V. Santala and M. Kokko ). At the university level, further connections could be established with groups such as Digital Design and Manufacturing (Assoc. Prof. I . Flores Ituarte ), the Laboratory for Future Electronics (Prof. M. MĂ€ntysalo ), and Biomedical Technology (Prof. M. KellomĂ€ki ), among others. Tampere University has a versatile infrastructure covering instruments and staff working on polymer and composite processing and structural and mechanical characterization, rheology, and thermal analysis, to mention a few. The polymer processing infrastructure is located in the dedicated Polymer Hall building, which provides the potential to develop a pilot scale processing line, and the other analytical laboratories will be located in the new Noodi building (completed in 2026, ~100 M⏠investment), which houses advanced and versatile analytical laboratories that support polymer science. Further, Tampere University has also universityâlevel infrastructures, such as Tampere Microscopy Centre and Tampere Center for Scientific Computing, which offer stateâofâtheâart facilities for research. In addition, adjacent to universityâs campus locates VTTâs polymer pilot infrastructure, designed for experimental development of polymer and composite technologies, and the InTire Labs, a fully industrially driven research infrastructure focusing on sustainable elastomer processing. Tampere University has active collaboration with both of these organizations. If successful, you will be placed at the level of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor, based on your experience and expertise. While in the early stages of your career the focus is on research, in time you will be expected to contribute increasingly to teaching, curriculum development, and graduate and postâgraduate student supervision, as well as in academic service (including administrative duties). Requirements You should have a doctoral degree in one of the following areas: Materials Science and Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, or a related field. Strong collaboration skills with local industry and other parties. Existing networks with Finnish and European plastics industry are seen as an advantage. You need to be fluent in English to succeed in the required tasks. Further requirements for each tenure track level are as follows: We require: ability to undertake highâlevel scholarly activity and potential to establish an independent agenda of scholarly activity at international level of excellence teaching skills required to successfully perform the duties and functions of the position Associate Professor We require: track record of independent scholarly activity on a high international level teaching skills required to successfully perform the duties and functions of the position ability to lead a research group and acquire external funding. Professor We require: high-level scholarly or artistic expertise experience of leading scientific research activities ability to provide highâquality researchâbased education and instruction track record of winning external research funding track record of international scholarly activity We are inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, active and truly international research community. The multidisciplinary research environment offers opportunities to develop research expertise via collaboration, e.g., with different fields of engineering and natural sciences. We are offering an advanced infrastructure in many research fields of materials science and engineering. Initial appointment as Assistant Professor / Associate Professor is for five years. Subject to successful performance, you will become a tenured faculty member after the first fiveâyear period. Full professors will hold a permanent appointment from the outset. A trial period of six months applies to all our new employees. You will be supported by a startâup package that will ease your transition to TAU and in setting up your research group. The startâup package will be negotiated on the basis of your individual needs. Salaries are based on the job demands and employeesâ personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System . A typical starting salary for an Assistant Professor is approximately EUR/month, for an Associate Professor approximately EUR/month, and for a Professor in the range between EUR/month. Higher salaries may be negotiated for candidates with exceptional experience and/or performance. The city of Tampere is one of the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries and offers a dynamic living environment. Finland provides one of the most advanced and comprehensive social security systems in the world with generous parental leaves, very affordable stateâsubsidised daycare that is available for all children, worldârenowned free primary and secondary education as well as public healthcare. For more information on Tampere and Finland, please visit: The closing date for applications is November 16 th , 2026 (at 23.59 EET, GMT+2 / 21.59 UTC). A letter of motivation in which you set out the reasons why you are applying for the position and why you are particularly suited to it. A research plan (max. 5 pages), outlining your proposed research The names, positions and contact details of two referees who can support your application (recommendation letters etc. are not asked at this point) Candidates may be invited for a video interview during the first stage of the recruitment process. The most qualified candidates will be invited to Tampere University for an interview and may undergo an aptitude assessment. They will also undergo a review by external experts and may be required to give a demonstration of their teaching skills. #J-18808-Ljbffr