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Docent Riikka Räisänen, the PI and leader of the BioColour research consortium (https://biocolour.fi), at the Faculty of Education, is seeking for

TECHNICAL ASSISTANT (Craft Science / Organic Chemistry / Natural Products Chemistry /Applied Botany)

for a fixed-term contract 1.2.2021 (or sooner) until 31.8.2022 to work in the BioColour research project University of Helsinki team.

BioColour (https://biocolour.fi) is a multidisciplinary research consortium, which aims to advance the usage of environmentally sound colourants from fungal and plant sources in different applications, especially textiles, packaging and coatings. The project aims to develop new methods of biocolourants’ large-scale production, characterization and applications. BioColour consortium represents expertise of agriculture, applied botany, chemistry, biosciences, toxicology, material science and technology, design research, information and communications technology, data science and consumer studies, and combines researchers from the University of Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland, Aalto University, Häme University of Applied Sciences, Luke Natural Resources Institute Finland, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, North Carolina State University, USA and University of Campinas, Brazil. Consortium is led by Docent Riikka Räisänen.

We are looking for a highly motivated technical assistant with an MSc degree (in e.g. craft science, organic chemistry, material sciences, pharmacy, applied botany or other related field). The technical assistant is expected to assist and contribute to research on textile material colouration and colour fastness testing, laboratory scale and large scale extraction and separation of biocolourants, chemical analysis (HPLC-UV-vis-MS/MS and NMR) of natural colourants as well as aiding with the database work. The appointed technical assistant will work in collaboration with the other members of the BioColour research group.

The candidate is expected to have education, experience and technical skills such as

• A master’s degree
• Experience in textile and/or material coloration
• Experience of natural products chemistry
• Laboratory working skills
• Fluency in English
• initiative and capable of working independently as well as in team environments

Knowledge of applied botany is an advantage.

The salary of the technical assistant will be based on level 5 of other personnel in the university salary system. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The starting gross salary of the research assistant will be ca. 2320 €/month, depending on the appointee's qualifications and experience. The University of Helsinki offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development. The International Staff Services office (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/university/working-at-the-university) assists employees from abroad with their transition to work and life in Finland. A six-month trial period will be applied.

The attachment required for the application include (in a single pdf-file):

1. A cover letter explaining the applicant’s experience and motivation for the BioColour research and the working tasks that are explained in this call
2. Curriculum vitae

Please name the PDF-file as follows: firstname_lastname_technical_assistant and direct the document at the open position.

Please submit your application through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the link Apply for the position. Applicants who are employees of the University of Helsinki are requested to submit their application via the SAP HR portal, saphr.it.helsinki.fi.

The closing date for applications is January 10th 2021.

Further information about the positions may be obtained from Docent Riikka Räisänen (Riikka.raisanen(at)helsinki.fi), tel. +358 2941 29703, +358 503183973.

Questions regarding the recruitment process and/or the recruitment system can be sent to HR Specialist Linda Ylönen, linda.ylonen@helsinki.fi.

Due date

10.01.2021 23:59 EET