Postdoctoral Researcher Micromechanics of Multi-Metal Carbides

Organisation/Company Tampere University Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering Engineering » Mechanical engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Final date to receive applications 8 Mar 2026 - 21:59 (UTC) Country Finland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

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The Micromechanics and Nanostructures research group is an international research group at Tampere University which specializes in structure-mechanical property-performance correlations in materials. We research on all classes of materials – metals, ceramics, polymers and composites, and specialize in in-situ micromechanical testing of materials and the use of electron microscopy techniques.

The Micromechanics and Nanostructures research group is now looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to work on micromechanics of multi-metal carbides and use of advanced electron microscopy characterization to correlate the deformation substructures with their micromechanical properties. This position is primarily aimed at candidates having extensive experience and expertise in micromechanical test techniques like nanoindentation and micropillar compression. Experience in any of these techniques will be considered as an advantage: elevated (or variable) temperature nanoindentation, focused ion beam (FIB) milling for micro-sample and electron transparent lamellae preparation, micro cantilever fracture, electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD), transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD) and/or transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

The position is funded through HECTOR Proof-of-Concept project funding received from Research Council of Finland focused on development and characterization of sustainable multi-metal carbide compositions with improved mechanical properties. The overall objective of this project is to demonstrate the use of multi-metal carbides for targeted industrial applications and to generate critical scientific knowledge on their deformation mechanisms, particularly at high temperatures.

The project will involve detailed micro-mechanical and electron microscopy-based microstructural characterization at small length scales.

This position is intended for Ph.D. holders in Materials Science and Engineering and/or associated fields with experience in micromechanics including nanoindentation, micropillar compression and in-situ testing with scanning electron microscopes (SEM). Focused Ion Beam (FIB) milling for preparation of micro-specimens and/or electron transparent lamellae and electron microscopy-based techniques like EBSD, TKD and TEM will be as considered as bonus. The position requires research experience and skills to carry out experiments investigating micromechanical properties of multi-metal carbides at high temperatures and study the deformation substructures using electron microscopy.

It also requires working closely with collaboration partners to meet the project deliverables. We expect competence to pursue independent scientific work and project management skills. You should be fluent in spoken and written English and have solid experience in writing scientific publications and research proposals.

• Ph.D. degree in Materials Science and Engineering or allied fields
• Publication record in peer-reviewed journals
• Ability to work independently
• High motivation and interest in micromechanical deformation behavior of materials and electron microscopy characterization
• Experience in nanoindentation and SEM
• Good communicational skills and ability to collaborate with members of the research group and other collaboration partners/stakeholders
• Communicate project outcomes and progress effectively through scientific publications, presentations, lectures and social…