"Finland rewards competence and consistency"

When I first came to Finland in 2017, one of the biggest surprises was the working culture. Here, I realized that I could be just as productive, or even more productive, while working fewer hours.

Things are well organized, communication is clear, and there is less unnecessary bureaucracy. You can really focus on your work. As a researcher, I especially appreciate having time to think. Sometimes the best ideas come when you are not actively working on something!

I also feel that the Finnish way of life suits my personality. I appreciate how equal and straightforward society is. You don't need fancy things to enjoy life here. Some of the best experiences are simple ones, like spending time outdoors.

Of course, the dark winters can be challenging. It took me some time to adjust, but I've learned to embrace the different seasons. And visiting Brazil every December helps me break the Finnish winter in half!

I believe Finland rewards competence and consistency. These are the two most important things I've learned during my career here. You are not expected to change the world overnight. Just do your work well, be reliable, and show what you're capable of. Over time, people will notice, and opportunities will open up.

Of course, you first need to get your foot in the door. My advice is to find a research environment that genuinely interests you and reach out to people working in your field. That's how my own journey started. I found a professor whose research matched my interests, sent him an email, and got a positive response. Sometimes all you need is one opportunity!

When contacting someone, show genuine enthusiasm. Now that I lead my own research group, I know how important this is. Technical skills matter, but I also value communication, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn. I believe these qualities are important for building trust and good working relationships.
 

I chose the research environment first, and I found what I was looking for in Finland! I was finishing my PhD in Brazil and looking for an opportunity to do high-level research in my field. My research focuses on biomass processing and wood chemistry. The Nordic countries were particularly interesting because of their strong forest-based industries and research.

My wife and I both received scholarships to spend time abroad. We work in the same field but wanted to join different research groups. I found Professor Orlando Rojas at Aalto University, while my wife found a position at VTT. The stars aligned, and we came to Finland in 2017.

I spent six months at Aalto. Orlando was incredibly welcoming, and his international research group made it easy to feel part of a community. When I returned to Brazil to finish my PhD, he encouraged me to come back. So, in 2018, I returned to Finland, and I've been at Aalto ever since.

My career has developed step by step. I started as a postdoctoral researcher, became a research fellow and then a senior scientist, eventually leading my own research group and becoming an associate professor.