Aalto University is a new university with over a century of experience. Created from a high-profile merger between three leading universities in Finland – the Helsinki School of Economics, Helsinki University of Technology and the University of Art and Design Helsinki – Aalto University opens up new possibilities for strong multidisciplinary education and research. The university has 20 000 students and a staff of 5 000 including 370 professors.

The Nanomagnetism and Spintronics (NanoSpin) Group at the Department of Applied Physics is looking for a postdoctoral researcher for a project on electric-field control of magnetism. The position is part of an ERC-funded program on magnetization dynamics in hybrid ferromagnetic-ferroelectric materials and nanostructures. The work involves thin-film growth, photo- and e-beam lithography, and characterization of magnetization dynamics using broadband spin-wave spectroscopy and time-resolved scanning Kerr microscopy. The NanoSpin laboratory is located on the university campus near Helsinki and offers a motivating and state-of-the-art research environment. For more information on NanoSpin research activities and facilities, see http://physics.aalto.fi/groups/nanospin/

Major responsibilities

Your research will be directed towards the fabrication and characterization of hybrid ferromagnetic/ferroelectric nanostructures enabling electric-field control of spin-wave emission and propagation. You are expected to contribute to the design of measurement techniques and to develop your own scientific concepts within the new field of voltage-controlled magnonics.

Qualifications

We are looking for outstanding candidates with a strong background in experimental condensed-matter physics. The candidate should hold a Ph.D. degree in physics or equivalent and have documented experience in magnetism, nanofabrication, and microwave characterization techniques.

The ability to collaborate and interact with other researcher and research communities are important. You should have good communication skills, good analytical and experimental skills and good ability to work independently towards the goals expressed in the project plan.

Position summary

The position will initially be filled for a two-year period with the possibility of an extension for 1-2 years, depending on the progress and the availability of resources. The salary will be based on the salary system of Finnish universities. The gross starting salary amounts to about 3500 €/month.

Applications

Candidates should send their (i) application, (ii) CV, (iii) list of publications), (iv) highest degree certificate, and (v) contact information of three references through the recruitment system via the link “Apply for this job” below – all application documents in English. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2015, but the position will remain open until filled. For questions, please contact Prof. Sebastiaan van Dijken (see contact information below). Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, to extend the application period, reopen the application process, and to consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.

About Finland

As a living and work environment, Finland is consistently ranked highly in quality-of-life and competitiveness studies. It is the best country in the world to live according to a Newsweek 2010 study. It is the 2nd happiest place in the world according to a 2007 OECD study. Helsinki is the best city in the world to live in according to a 2011 report by Monocle Magazine and is 7th in the Economist Intelligence Unit livability ranking 2011. Finland has also been ranked the 4th in the Global Competitiveness Index 2011-2012 of the World Economic Forum and the 2nd best in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2011 of Transparency International 2011. Aalto University offers support for moving of international staff to Finland. Some useful information is available at: http://www.aalto.fi/en/for/international/

Additional information

Prof. Sebastiaan van Dijken, sebastiaan.van.dijken@aalto.fi, +358-503160969