Doctoral Researcher (Photoacoustic Aerosol and Black Carbon Measurements) / V it skirjatutkija (Fotoakustiset aerosoli- ja mustan hiilen mittaukset)

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The Aerosol and Cloud Particle Optics group, part of the Aerosol Physics Laboratory at Tampere University, is establishing a new research direction in photoacoustic measurement technology within Tampere's strong aerosol research ecosystem. The group brings established expertise in photoacoustic and optical measurements, complemented by the Aerosol Physics Laboratory's long-standing expertise in aerosols and combustion processes. This work builds on monitoring-capable, multi-wavelength photoacoustic instrumentation, including PAAS-4 , which has been operating at Hyyti l since 2023.

Job description

As a doctoral researcher, you will carry out a focused research project on next-generation photoacoustic methods for aerosol and black-carbon measurements. Your core tasks will be to contribute to the development and construction of a new PAAS instrument version for laboratory testing and characterization, and to develop, test and validate new traceable calibration routines for photoacoustic and optical aerosol measurements. The work combines hands-on instrumentation, laboratory experiments, uncertainty analysis, programming and scientific data analysis.

A central motivation is Directive (EU) 2024/2881 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, which introduces black-carbon monitoring at urban and rural monitoring supersites. This creates a clear need for accurate, traceable and comparable optical measurements of equivalent black carbon (eBC).

As your expertise develops, you will have room to shape your own research questions. Possible directions include analysing existing data from sub-Arctic and Arctic regions, investigating how atmospheric processing changes the optical properties of black carbon, and developing ideas for future measurements.

Requirements

Applicants must hold an internationally recognized Master's degree in physics, engineering, aerosol or atmospheric science, optics, photonics, environmental science or another relevant field by the starting date. You should be motivated by experimental research, measurement technology and learning across disciplines.

The most important qualifications are hands-on experience with scientific instrumentation and strong programming and data-analysis skills in Python, MATLAB or comparable tools. Previous work with black-carbon or photoacoustic instruments is a significant advantage. Experience in aerosol measurements, optics, electronics, data acquisition, calibration or uncertainty analysis is also valuable. Excellent English and constructive teamwork are essential; Finnish is not required.

We offer

You will receive structured doctoral training and close scientific supervision while developing expertise in experimental aerosol science, optics and advanced measurement technology. You will work closely with the Postdoctoral Researcher recruited alongside this position and with experienced researchers in the group. As your project progresses, you will take increasing responsibility for experiments, analysis, publications and presentations at international conferences.

We offer a fixed-term Doctoral Researcher position for three years. The preferred starting date is 1 January 2027, or as soon as possible by mutual agreement. A trial period of six months applies to all our new employees. The salary will be based on both the job requirements and the employee's personal performance in accordance with the

Finnish University Salary System

. A typical starting salary for a Doctoral Researcher is around EUR 3,000 per month.

The Aerosol and Cloud Particle Optics group has a long record of developing optical instruments for aerosol and cloud research and an extensive network of international collaborators. At Tampere University, this expertise is embedded in the Aerosol Physics Laboratory, adding its strengths in aerosols, combustion processes and measurement technology to a strong interdisciplinary research environment.

As a member of staff at Tampere University, you will enjoy a range of competitive benefits, such as occupational health care services, flexible work schedule, versatile research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities and a safe and inviting campus area as well as a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities in your free time. Please read more about

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and information about

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How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is

18th of Oktober (23:59 EET / UTC +2).

Please write your application and all accompanying documents in English and attach them in PDF format.

Applications should include the following documents:

Curriculum Vitae according to TENK guidelines
List of publications according to Academy of Finland guidelines
Contact information for two referees
Motivation letter describing your relevant experience, research interests and motivation for doctoral research in photoacoustic aerosol and black-carbon measurement technology

For more information, please contact:

Martin Schnaiter, martin.schnaiter@tuni.fi

Emma J rvinen, emma.jarvinen@tuni.fi

Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat yhdess Suomen toiseksi suurimman monitieteisen, innostavan ja vaikuttavan tutkimus- ja oppimisyhteis n. Korkeakouluyhteis mme osaamisk rjet ovat tekniikka, terveys ja yhteiskunta. Lue lis :

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Teht v nkuvaus

Tampereen yliopiston Aerosol and Cloud Particle Optics -tutkimusryhm etsii v it skirjatutkijaa kehitt m n fotoakustista mittausteknologiaa aerosoli- ja mustan hiilen mittauksiin. Ty h n kuuluu uuden PAAS-mittalaitteen version rakentaminen ja testaaminen sek uusien j ljitett vien kalibrointimenetelmien kehitt minen.

Tutkimuksessa voidaan hy dynt olemassa olevia subarktisilta ja arktisilta alueilta ker ttyj aineistoja sek kehitt uusia mittausideoita. Ryhm n pitk kokemus optisten mittalaitteiden kehitt misest ja kansainv lisest yhteisty st yhdistyy Aerosolifysiikan laboratorion vahvaan aerosoli-, polttoprosessi- ja mittausteknologiaosaamiseen.

Teht v t ytet n kolmeksi vuodeksi. Toivottu aloitusajankohta on 1.1.2027 tai mahdollisimman pian sopimuksen mukaan.

Edellytykset

Hakijalla tulee olla soveltuva ylempi korkeakoulututkinto, sujuva englannin kielen taito, k yt nn n instrumentointiosaamista ja hyv t ohjelmointitaidot. Kokemus mustan hiilen tai fotoakustisista mittalaitteista katsotaan erityiseksi eduksi.

Hakijan tulee pysty ty skentelem n yhteisty ss kansainv lisess ja monitieteisess tutkimusymp rist ss .

Hakuohjeet

Lue tarkemmat tiedot teht v st ja hakuohjeet yll olevasta englanninkielisest ilmoituksesta.

J t th n hakemuksesi yliopiston s hk isell hakulomakkeella (linkki l ytyy t m n ilmoituksen alta).

Hakuaika teht v n p ttyy 18.10.2026.