Laboratory Master – Aalto-yliopisto, Finland
14.12.2020Application closes on 31.12.2020
Place Joint Unit ARTS
Position Specialists and other positions
Aalto University is a community of bold thinkers where science and art meet technology and business. We are committed to identifying and solving grand societal challenges and building an innovative future. Aalto has six schools with nearly 11 000 students and a staff of more than 4000, of which 400 are professors. With 40% of our academic faculty coming from outside Finland, we are a highly international community with strong academic standing.
The Aalto School of Arts, Design and Architecture is a Nordic leader in higher education for design, fashion, games, media, architecture, film, art education and art. Aalto University has been ranked the 7th best in Art & Design education (QS ranking 2020). We produce world-class research in art education, design and design thinking, digital media and visual culture, urban planning and architecture. Our graduates innovate in and beyond their fields, drawing on over a century of tradition, a humane and forward-looking approach, and the latest technologies. Our new campus is in Espoo makes working together among and across disciplines easier than ever before.
We are now seeking for a Laboratory Master for the Biofilia, at Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. The position is temporary between 11.1.2021 – 8.12.2021.
Your Role and Goals
You would be working for the technical service for education and research at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, responsible for the specialized hands-on-learning environments of the school. The service is organized in thematic teams. As a member of the Manufacturing team you are responsible for the Biofilia as a hands-on-learning environment. Biofilia – Base for Biological Arts provides the basic tools of molecular biology, tissue culture and engineering as well as microbiology for users from various backgrounds and interests. Your role as a Laboratory Master includes the following main tasks and responsibilities when ensuring functioning of the workshop and safe working environment as a learning and research environment for the students and researchers.
Maintenance and development
- Maintaining and developing the space and equipment as well as communication of the laboratory environment.
- Managing of the material and equipment purchasing as well as the storing processes.
- Responsible for material purchasing for the courses and research projects as well as assisting teachers with any course related activities or technical details.
- Annual planning and budgeting of the operations.
- Planning of new investments and carrying out procurement.
- Recycling and waste management, also consulting the ARTS Infra in all chemical related issues.
Guiding, instructing and supporting users
- Helping and guiding the students to organize, schedule and define technical details of their experiments and research settings with quality emphasized customer service mind-set.
- Teaching the introduction course (1 cr) of Biofilia four times a year and independently develop this course content further.
Managing health and safety
- Ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for students and other users of the workshop.
- Guiding users of the workshop into safe working practices.
- Active advisory on the use of protective gear.
Collaboration
- Collaborating with teaching and research personnel of other Schools of Aalto University and other Universities.
- Collaborating with Aalto University Junior that is sharing spaces and equipment with Biofilia.
- Collaborating with other bioart related operators, researchers and artists, nationally and internationally.
Your experience and ambitions
Success in this position requires a master ́s degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry (University or University of Applied Sciences degree) or equivalent. You have worked in a laboratory for at least one year and you have background in microbiology and cell culture work. Experience in these is prerequisite as well as being familiar with DNA working methods. You are able to work fluently with both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell lines. Applicant must have experience in teaching and/or working in a research laboratory with students. Pedagogical skills are considered as an asset. You have interest towards the field of arts and to multidisciplinary collaboration. Knowledge of the field of bioart is considered as a benefit. You are ready to use broadly all your skills and in a most creative way.
Communication Skills
A major duty of the Laboratory Master is to advise, guide and instruct students and faculty in the use of the laboratory. Therefore, we value excellent people skills, initiative and problem-solving skills. Planning and developing of introduction course content as well as supporting teachers in their courses requires basic understanding of principles of pedagogy and experience of interdisciplinary collaboration. Biofilia provides artists, researchers, students and scholars with the ability to engage with life sciences and their applications within an artistic and cultural context, thus making creative and critical links between biosciences, engineering and the arts. This requires genuine will to help and assist people from various backgrounds. Good knowledge of English, both written and spoken, is required for cooperating with students and faculty.
Problem Solving and Organisation
Individual workshop users come from a wide variety of backgrounds with varied needs and therefore none of the questions or processes are too big or small for you to handle in a safe and equal way. You are able to work fluently with almost any kind of laboratory work. Because of the unique laboratory environment, this position requires flexibility and ability to quickly adapt to changing situations and excellent organisation skills. You are able to work independently, while at the same time enjoy team work.
Knowledge, Skills Other
Following Aalto’s values and the ethical principles of fair play and integrity are of paramount in all activities.
Ready to apply?
The salary is determined according to the salary system for Finnish universities. It ranges between 2400 and 2900 eur /month depending on the applicant’s qualifications and experience.
If you want to join our community, please submit your application no later than 31.12.2020. If you wish to hear more about the position, please don’t hesitate to contact Team Leader Marika Hellman ([email protected] or tel. +358 50 4014590). In recruitment process related questions, you may contact HR Services Eeva Lyytikäinen ([email protected] or +358 50 5552085).
To apply, please share the following application materials with us
- Motivation letter
- Curriculum vitae
Aalto University reserves the right to leave the position unfilled, extend the application period or include individuals who did not submit an application during the application period.