Evaluation Report Publications of the Academy of Finland 1/11

Research networking and interaction
The researchers act as an integrated unit with skills that complement each other in 
their efforts towards their common goals of studying molecule-surface interactions 
at the nanoscale. The unit also maintains strong interaction and collaboration with 
relevant Finnish research groups that complement its own expertise. The unit has an 
active international network and the members at all levels travel to internationally 
leading groups on a regular basis and participate in relevant international meetings. 
The unit is able to attract leading international researchers to come for longer 
research visits to UJ, creating a stimulating environment locally for the younger 
unit members. The researchers would like to be able to offer a higher number of 
visiting postdoctoral researchers and PhD students the possibility to stay for longer 
periods. The unit has been involved in a graduate school, although the courses 
offered have not necessarily been relevant for all PhD students of the unit. 
Although the unit has been engaged in EU projects, the current good funding 
situation does not motivate the group to engage in the often rather administrative 
EU projects.
Recommendations
This is an excellent research unit that should continue to do research with a focus on 
molecule-surface interactions at the nanoscale using optics and theoretical modelling, 
a field in which the unit has a unique profile that will enable making an international 
impact even in a highly competitive field such as nanoscience. The replacement of the 
most senior member of the unit calls for strategic discussions in order to maintain the 
dynamic competence of the unit. The unit should explore the “People” part of the EU 
funding scheme. The Department should consider its budget policy to allow for some 
day-to-day costs to be covered from the core funding of the unit.

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