Researcher/Senior Researcher, Advanced Chemical Analytics

Would you like to join a global, growing company that innovates for a more sustainable tomorrow? UPM could be the team for you. We are frontrunners in developing renewable alternatives to fossil-based materials. Besides enabling both businesses and consumers make more sustainable choices, we strive to create a positive UPM experience for all our employees around the world. We live by our values – trust and be trusted, achieve together, renew with courage. Together we can renew the everyday, for a future beyond fossils!

Learn more about us as a workplace upm.com/careers

We are looking for a Researcher/Senior Resercher with strong expertise in analytical chemistry to join our Advanced Chemical Analytics R&D team in Lappeenranta, Finland.

Greetings from future manager

“We are looking for a forward-thin chemist with good co-operative and self-leadership skills, and passion to learn and develop. By joining our team, you will get a great chance to work with sophisticated chemical analytics, latest innovations, future solutions of our businesses. We will offer you a great opportunity to develop your expertise in research and advanced analytical chemistry.” - Sanna Valkonen, Senior Manager, R&D

What you will do

• Take responsibility for analytical performance and development in instrumental analytics, especially in chromatographic analysis
• Manage method development projects to ensure the analytical capabilities and quality for the needs of UPM businesses and R&D projects
• Work in close collaboration with laboratories in developing analysis reliability, efficiency and safety
• Make work plans and instruction for the work in laboratories and act as an expert to resolve any problems with analysis methods and instruments
• Interpret laboratory results, make conclusions, and report the results to internal co-operation partners globally
• Work closely with our R&D experts and UPM Businesses’ technical teams in various research and development projects and support them in analytical chemistry related matters
• Seek the best science and play a key role in supporting the development objectives of UPM´s spearhead areas in demanding chemical analytics and related problem-solving tasks

Who you are

• You have at least Master´s degree in chemistry and strong know-how in analytical chemistry and modern instrumental analytics
• You have minimum 3 years of professional work experience in instrumental analytics, method development, and method validation, preferable in an industry R&D environment
• You possess both theoretical and hands-on expertise, particularly in HPLC and GC with various detectors. Mastery of additional analysis techniques, e.g. thermal analysis, FTIR, ICP, will help you succeed in this position. Ideally, you also have experience in working with complex sample matrices from biorefinery processes
• You have a strong interest in the continuous development of analytical practices, quality and chemical safety, and you are motivated to work in a laboratory environment
• You work in an organized manner and have a strong eagerness to learn new skills, take initiative and responsibility
• You have excellent communication and reporting skills, strong teamwork abilities, and the capability to operate effectively in a matrix organization
• You are fluent in both spoken and written English; proficiency in Finnish language is considered as asset

This is what we offer to you

• A meaningful job : We have an inspiring purpose “We renew the everyday for a future beyond fossils”. Our work is impactful and transformative.
• A caring community : Our community is built on great team spirit and shared commitment. We care about each other and the well-being of our colleagues. We support the work-life balance of all our employees.
• Development opportunities : We offer you great opportunities to learn and grow throughout your career. We are an international, multi-business organization offering plenty of avenues for personal growth.
• Responsible employer : Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to ambitious, science-based sustainability targets in all areas, from climate change mitigation to enhancing biodiversity. We foster diversity and inclusivity, offering a work environment in which everyone can be themselves.

Learn about our Rewarding and our Ways of working

Additional information

For further information about the role, please contact Sanna Katriina Valkonen, Senior Manager, R&D, at email sanna.valkonen@upm.com or tel. +358443753488 on March 27, between 14-16 EET, or on March 30, between 13-14 EET.

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter by April 12, 2026 . Please note that we accept only applications submitted through our online application system. We begin reviewing applications as they are received, and you may be contacted before the application deadline.

For support with submitting your application, please contact the HR Service Center at careers@upm.com or tel. +358204146600.

A security background check may be performed for those selected to UPM positions, in accordance with the company recruitment guidelines and the Security Clearance Act 726/2014.

UPM is a material solutions company, renewing products and entire value chains with an extensive portfolio of renewable fibres, advanced materials, decarbonization solutions, and communication papers. Our performance in sustainability has been recognized by third parties, including EcoVadis and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. We operate globally and employ approximately 15,100 people worldwide, with annual sales of approximately €9.7 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd

UPM – we renew the everyday
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