Research director, future forest industry

LUT University is looking for a research director, future forest industry. The position is funded and conceptualised together with UPM Kymmene Oyj and Andritz Oy.

LUT, UPM, and Andritz are strengthening their collaboration with the forest industry to advance science and education in the field. They recognise the demand for new ideas and opportunities in the multi-faceted landscape of biorefining. 

As research director, future forest industry, you will be at the interface of academia and industry. You will build industrial cooperation as a member of a steering group composed of representatives from all three organisations and report to the dean of the LUT School of Engineering Sciences (LENS).

The role

You will actively seek and develop new cooperation opportunities between LUT University and forest industry companies. The work deals with biorefinery concepts and processes, separation, and process integration in the forest industry. The role of the research director includes making industrial–academic cooperation concrete and creating projects on

• future biorefinery concepts of the forest industry;
• energy and material circularity and optimisation related to those concepts;
• technologies related to those concepts;
• pulp factory development in a biorefinery integrate;
• the efficient use of raw materials (including biogenic CO₂);
• integrating P2X technologies.

The position’s operating landscape is interdisciplinary, so the required skillset includes the ability to work across department and school boundaries, utilising all that LUT Universities have to offer in constructing initiatives and projects. 

The work involves

• developing and implementing a strategy for strengthening forest industry cooperation;
• leading/overseeing and preparing research projects; 
• building and leading teams of researchers and stakeholders;
• acting as a member and secretary of the related steering group; 
• promoting forest industry cooperation opportunities to LUT researchers for new initiatives stemming from various disciplines;
• following ethical research practices;
• keeping abreast of industry trends, new technologies and market dynamics;
• participating in conferences, workshops, and training programmes.

What we expect from you

• At least five years’ experience in the technology industry
• Excellent knowledge of collaboration between the technology industry and universities 
• A doctoral degree or equivalent-level research knowledge and understanding of the academic world and processes
• Curiosity to quickly develop in-depth knowledge of the state of the art in forest industry solutions
• Proactive, strategic, and operational leadership experience 
• Knowledge of and experience in working with various stakeholders
• Strong skills in relationship-, network-, and project-building, communications, and facilitation, as the work will take place in cross-functional and multi-disciplinary teams
• Professional English language skills

We are looking for a new colleague with good cooperation and communication skills. An aspiration to increase and develop collaboration between industry and the academic world is a requirement. 

The position will be filled as soon as possible, and the work can start immediately. The position is located in Lappeenranta or Lahti.

The salary is based on the current collective agreement for Finnish universities, on the pay scale for teaching and research personnel. In addition, the pay will include an individual pay component based on performance and competence. The work will start with a six-month trial period.

For further information, please contact Chief Growth Officer Petri Ajo, +358 50 473 6668, or Dean Mari Kallioinen-Mänttäri (LENS), +358 40 593 9881.

The closing date for applications is 26 May 2024 at midnight, Finnish local time (UTC + 3 h). Please submit your application by filling out the online form.

Read more about LUT as an employer.

Read more about the LUT School of Engineering Sciences.

LUT University | Clean energy, water and air are life-giving resources for which we at LUT University seek new solutions with our expertise in technology, business and social sciences. We help society and businesses in their sustainable renewal. Our international community consists of over 9,000 members. Our campuses are in Lappeenranta and Lahti, Finland. We are one of the world's top universities for climate action. lut.fi/en

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