CV

Juho Helaja studied chemistry at the University of Helsinki and obtained his PhD in 2000 under the supervision of prof. Paavo H. Hynninen. Master degree and PhD studies dealt with porphyrin synthesis, tetrapyrrole semisynthesis and their structural analysis. During his first post-doc in Prof. Richard Göttlich group at the University of Münster, Germany, between 2000 and 2002, he was worked on organic synthesis and transition metal mediated catalysis. The second post doc in prof. Ari M. P. Koskinen group, Aalto University, over 2002-2006, covered organic synthesis and chelate synthesis for metal complexes. After becoming Academy of Finland research fellow in 2006, he started an independent synthesis and catalysis research group at the department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki. Since 2011 he has been group leader and University Lecturer of organic chemistry, position that was later upgraded, in 2022, to Senior University Lecturer.   

orcid.org/0000-0001-8645-617X

Assignment and objectives

The Faculty of Science of University of Helsinki states that the societal role of University is long term basic research and related education. The Helaja group research focuses on the development of novel methods for synthesis and catalysis in organic chemistry, and relative mechanistic studies. Our aim is to conduct high quality research, up to international standards, to be disseminated in peer-reviewed scientific publications. At least equally important is to offer students and researchers the chemistry skills and confidence needed to allow career advancement at bachelor, master, doctoral and post doc levels.