Postdoctoral Researcher in Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering for NewGenH2Steel University of Oulu in Finland

University of Oulu is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher for the ERC Starting Grant project NewGenH2Steel in the Materials and Mechanical Engineering Research Unit.

This 3-year fixed-term position is centered on Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, and advanced steel research. The project investigates the fundamental physics of fatigue crack growth in multiphase metastable new-generation steels using advanced multi-scale characterization.

The successful candidate will work in the Steel Fatigue Research Group and collaborate with doctoral and postdoctoral researchers as well as international partners. Research methods include in situ micromechanics/nanomechanics, cyclic loading and fatigue experiments in SEM/TEM, synchrotron X-ray tomography and diffraction, Digital Volume Correlation, automated image segmentation, and analysis of crack-tip opening displacement, crack closure, phase transformations, and defect interactions.

Applicants should hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field (degree obtained within the last 10 years). Strong experience in experimental fatigue and advanced in situ characterization is highly desirable, together with programming and image-processing skills in Python, MATLAB, or ImageJ. Experience with Abaqus, COMSOL Multiphysics, Crystal Plasticity, CALPHAD, phase-field simulation, or synchrotron/tomography data analysis is an advantage. Excellent English communication, analytical ability, and teamwork are required.

The position is full time, starts on 01.09.2026 or as soon as possible thereafter, and offers a starting gross salary of approximately 3950–4400 EUR/month before taxes, plus a performance-based component. The application deadline is 31.07.2026 at 23:59 Finnish local time.

Apply through the University of Oulu recruitment system and include a motivation letter, CV, list of publications, research plan, and contact details for two referees. Contact persons for questions are Senior Research Fellow Sumit Ghosh and Professor Jukka Kömi.