Doctoral Researcher (Ice Crystal Surface Roughness and Atmospheric Optics) / Väitöskirjatutkija (Ilmakehän jääkiteiden pinnankarheuden ja optiikan tutkimus)

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The Aerosol and Cloud Particle Optics group, part of the Aerosol Physics Laboratory at Tampere University, is recruiting a Doctoral Researcher to join CRYSTAL, a European Research Council (ERC)-funded project that pioneers the use of advanced 3D nano-printing in atmospheric science. CRYSTAL addresses a major unresolved question: how nano- and microscale surface roughness changes the way atmospheric ice crystals scatter sunlight and how cirrus clouds are represented in climate and satellite-observation models.

Job Description

As a doctoral researcher, you will investigate the optical response of realistic ice crystal surface roughness using nano-printed test surfaces. Your main responsibility will be to plan and participate in the optical characterization of these surfaces and to analyse polarization-resolved measurements of their bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). The work combines optics, precision measurement, surface characterization, programming and quantitative data analysis.

You will contribute to selecting and preparing representative ice crystal surface morphologies for nano-printing and to assessing the quality of the fabricated samples. You will develop robust data-processing and quality-control routines and determine how the measured scattering depends on roughness scale, surface anisotropy, illumination and observation geometry, and polarization.

In collaboration with the project's postdoctoral researcher, you will test physically based surface-scattering descriptions, including Harvey-Shack theory and ABg-type parameterizations, against the laboratory measurements. The resulting parameterized optical description will support modelling of atmospheric ice crystals and, ultimately, improved interpretation of cirrus-cloud observations from next-generation satellites.

Applicants must hold an internationally recognized Master's degree in experimental physics, optics, photonics, atmospheric science or another relevant field by the starting date. You should be motivated by experimental research and interested in working across the boundaries of atmospheric science, optical measurement and surface technology.

The most important qualifications are hands-on experience with optical or other precision laboratory measurements and strong programming and data-analysis skills in Python, MATLAB or comparable tools. Previous experience with light-scattering or BRDF measurements, gonioreflectometry, surface metrology, microscopy, nano-fabrication, ice-particle optics or cloud microphysics is an advantage but not required. 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 atmospheric optics, surface scattering and advanced measurement methods. You will work closely with the project's postdoctoral researcher, experienced researchers in the group and international collaborators. As your project progresses, you will take increasing responsibility for experiments, data analysis, scientific publications and presentations at international conferences.

We offer a fixed-term Doctoral Researcher position for 3.5 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 and measurement methods for aerosol and cloud research, supported by an extensive international collaboration network. Within Tampere University's Aerosol Physics Laboratory, the ERC-funded CRYSTAL project offers a distinctive interdisciplinary environment connecting atmospheric science, experimental optics, nano-fabrication and computational light scattering.

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 working at Tampere University and information about Tampere University as an employer. You can also find more information about us and working and living Tampere by watching our video: Tampere Higher Education Community - our academic playground.

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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 guidelinesList of publications according to Academy of Finland guidelinesContact information for two refereesMotivation letter describing your relevant experience, research interests and motivation for doctoral research on ice crystal surface roughness, optical measurements and atmospheric light scattering

For More Information, Please Contact

Emma Järvinen, emma.jarvinen@tuni.fi

Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat yhdessä Suomen toiseksi suurimman monitieteisen, innostavan ja vaikuttavan tutkimus- ja oppimisyhteisön. Korkeakouluyhteisömme osaamiskärjet ovat tekniikka, terveys ja yhteiskunta. Lue lisää: www.tuni.fi

Tehtävänkuvaus

Tampereen yliopiston Aerosol and Cloud Particle Optics -tutkimusryhmä etsii väitöskirjatutkijaa Euroopan tutkimusneuvoston (ERC) rahoittamaan CRYSTAL-hankkeeseen. Innovatiivisessa hankkeessa tuodaan edistynyt 3D-nanotulostus ilmakehätieteeseen ja tutkitaan, miten jääkiteiden nano- ja mikromittakaavan pinnankarheus vaikuttaa niiden optisiin ominaisuuksiin.

Väitöskirjatutkijan päätehtävänä on tutkia realistisia jääkiteiden pintarakenteita jäljittelevien nanotulostettujen testipintojen optista vastetta. Työhön kuuluu polarisaatioherkkien BRDF-mittausten suunnittelu ja toteutukseen osallistuminen, mittausaineistojen laadunvarmistus ja analyysi sekä fysikaalisten pintasirontamallien testaaminen yhdessä hankkeen tutkijoiden kanssa.

Tehtävä täytetään 3,5 vuodeksi. Toivottu aloitusajankohta on 1.1.2027 tai mahdollisimman pian sopimuksen mukaan.

Edellytykset

Hakijalla tulee olla soveltuva ylempi korkeakoulututkinto ja sujuva englannin kielen taito. Arvostamme erityisesti käytännön kokemusta optisista tai muista tarkkuusmittauksista sekä hyviä ohjelmointi- ja data-analyysitaitoja.

Kokemus valonsirontamittauksista, BRDF-mittauksista, pintamittauksista, mikroskopiasta, nanovalmistuksesta tai ilmakehän jäähiukkasista katsotaan eduksi. Hakijan tulee pystyä työskentelemään yhteistyössä kansainvälisessä ja monitieteisessä tutkimusympäristössä.

Hakuohjeet

Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta.

Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta).

Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 18.10.2026.