Award recipient Maksim Ošeka studies photochemical and electrochemical transformations. These modern methods use photons and electrons as “traceless, green reagents”. Such transformations generate highly reactive species under mild reaction conditions, opening up previously inaccessible synthetic pathways. Applying these methods in flow reactors, which he also studies, creates opportunities for scaling up and developing technological applications. His research therefore aligns with both the university’s priorities and the broader principles of a green economy. He acquired the expertise required to work in this field during his postdoctoral research and is the only specialist in this area in Estonia. His work opens up opportunities to develop new environmentally friendly technologies and is likely to attract interest from the chemical industry both in Estonia and abroad. 

During his studies, Maksim worked on asymmetric organocatalysis under the supervision of Professor Tõnis Kanger and earned his doctorate in 2017. Early on, he sought opportunities to broaden his horizons, working in several world-leading research groups and exploring a different area of organic synthesis in each. During his master’s studies, he was an exchange student in Professor Lise-Lotte Gundersen’s research group in Norway. As a visiting doctoral researcher in Spain, he worked under Professor Paolo Melchiorre, an ERC grant holder and one of the world’s leading experts in combining photocatalysis with asymmetric organocatalysis. During his postdoctoral research in the Netherlands, Maksim worked in Professor Timothy Noël’s group. Noël is one of the world’s leading researchers in continuous-flow photochemistry and electrochemistry. All of these research stays were scientifically successful, with each resulting in a published article.

After returning from his postdoctoral research, Maksim became actively involved in the university’s research and teaching and began his independent research career as a group leader in 2021. His research group has made a successful start. With support from an Estonian Research Council start-up grant (PSG828), which began in 2023, the group has grown rapidly and currently comprises four doctoral candidates, two postdoctoral researchers, five master’s students and two bachelor’s students. Two doctoral candidates have successfully defended their theses under Maksim’s supervision: Anastasiya Krechi in 2025 and Anni Kooli in 2022. The next doctoral defence is scheduled for January 2027. The group actively publishes its research, including seven articles in Q1 and Q2 journals over the past three years, five of which list Maksim as a lead author.

In September 2026, he took up his position as Tenured Associate Professor of Synthetic Technologies. He is Head of the Division of Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology and serves on the Department Council. In 2024–2025, he also served as an alternate member of the Estonian Research Council’s Evaluation Committee. His responsibilities included assembling a panel of international experts to assess grant applications, coordinating the evaluation process and reviewing reports. In December 2025, Maksim was elected a member of the Estonian Young Academy of Sciences. His main goal there is to promote international collaboration and mobility among young researchers, helping to improve the quality and international visibility of Estonian research. Another goal is to popularise science and encourage the next generation of researchers, starting with young people who have yet to enter university.

Maksim is deeply committed to science outreach and nurturing the next generation of researchers, beginning at upper secondary school. He helps organise the Future Natural Scientist Programme (TULP) and contributes to cooperation between TalTech and Mustamäe State Upper Secondary School (MURG), encouraging more upper secondary school students to pursue studies in the natural sciences. He is also one of the organisers of the national Chemistry Olympiad. Maksim has made a significant contribution to both teaching and its coordination at TalTech.

Maksim could be described as the university’s research ambassador in Europe, with a strong focus on developing collaboration and strengthening the international visibility and competitiveness of Estonian research. His international research experience is a valuable asset in this work. He maintains an active collaboration network with colleagues in Spain and the Netherlands, with whom he has published two joint articles since completing his postdoctoral research. Maksim also collaborates actively with a Latvian researcher in organic chemistry. He has supervised a visiting postdoctoral researcher from Latvia, resulting in two joint publications, and has served as an external examiner for three doctoral theses in Latvia. He has also contributed to national and international grant applications, including applications under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and NordForsk co-funding schemes. Both the NordForsk co-funding application submitted with Finnish and Swedish partners and the application for the SOURCES Centre of Excellence were successful. Maksim has helped organise several international conferences, and his professional connections have brought leading experts from Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Germany and Latvia to speak in Estonia.

Maksim conceived and launched a conference for doctoral candidates in chemistry, which has now been held eight times. The Rector, Vice-Rector for Research and Vice-Dean for Research and Development have delivered opening addresses, and international guest speakers have also been invited. The conference has become an established tradition, and it is encouraging to see leaders in other disciplines adopting the format.

Maksim Ošeka is a highly determined, successful and promising researcher who has chosen to build his career at Tallinn University of Technology and actively contributes to the university’s development.

Read more: Meet the scientist: chemistry professor Maksim Ošeka – even complex molecules must be affordable to make.

Young Natural Scientist of the Year Maksim Ošeka will give a presentation at the Science Conference of the School of Science on 19 November.