University of Oxford

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 13 000 students, 400 professors and close to 4 500 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community. At the Department of Applied Physics, our pioneering research in physical sciences creates important industrial applications that hold great technological potential. Our research focuses on Materials physics, Quantum technology, Soft & living matter, and Advanced energy solutions. Topics extend from fundamental research to important applications. We educate future generations of research and development professionals, data specialists, technology experts, inventors, and scientists for industry and society. The Department of Applied Physics at Aalto University is now looking for a Doctoral Researcher to work on nano-scale control of optical fields. We are looking for an outstanding doctoral student to join the Optics and Photonics group for theoretical and experimental research on nanoscale control of optical fields for applications in optical imaging and photonic chip technology. The research will be focused on the design, fabrication, and testing of optical components with novel functionalities based on nanoscale manipulation of light and its propagation medium. Potential applications of these components range from super-resolution optical microscopes and telescopes to on-chip photonic processors. The appointment is for 4 years with a flexible start in autumn 2026. The research involves collaboration with scientists from the University of Eastern Finland and Tampere University, as well as researcher groups from Germany, Switzerland, and Spain. Your role and goals In this position, you will act as a doctoral researcher working on design and testing of novel nanofabricated optical components. The design will be done using advanced numerical calculation methods, such as Finite Element Method (FEM) and Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method. Approaches based on inverse engineering and machine learning will also be considered. The samples will be fabricated using the clean room facilities of Aalto University and tested using the equipment of the Optics and Photonics group. We expect you to be able to generate good scientific ideas, propose new technological solutions, initiate and maintain scientific collaboration, write scientific articles and research proposals, and participate in teaching. We expect you to graduate as a Doctor of Science in four years. Your experience We expect the candidate to hold a MSc degree in physics and be familiar with standard numerical calculation techniques used in physics. Preference will be given to candidates with good understanding of basic optics and experience in designing optical components and conducting optical experiments. Fluency in English both spoken and written is required. What we offer Aalto University follows the salary system of Finnish universities. The starting salary for a Doctoral Researcher is approximately 3142 €/month (gross), and it increases as you progress in your research and studies. Following the standard practice in the Department of Applied Physics, the contract will be made initially for two years, then extended to another two years after a successful mid-term progress review. The total duration of Ph.D. studies is four years. The annual workload of research and teaching staff at Aalto University is currently 1612 hours. The contract includes Aalto University occupational healthcare. The work is done in Finland, and the primary workplace will be the Otaniemi Campus at Aalto University. Life on the revitalized campus is vibrant, featuring stunning architecture, tranquil nature, and a variety of cafes, restaurants, and services, all complemented by excellent public transportation connections. Ready to apply? To apply for the position, please submit your application including the attachments mentioned below as one single PDF document in English through our online recruitment by using the link on Aalto University’s web page (Click the “Apply Now” button). Letter of motivation (max. 1 or 2 pages) CV Degree certificates and academic transcripts Contact details of at least two references Please note: Aalto University’s employees should apply for the position via our internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs) by using their existing Workday user account (not via the external webpage for open positions). If you are a student or visitor at Aalto University, please apply with your personal email address (not aalto.fi) via Aalto University open positions. The deadline for applications is August 4th, 2026, at 23:59pm (EEST/UTC +3). For additional information, kindly contact Dr. Andriy Shevchenko, andriy.shevchenko@aalto.fi. The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, to extend the application period, reopen the application process, and to consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period. Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos: Aalto University – Towards a better world, Aalto People, and Shaping a Sustainable Future. And this webpage about Aalto and Finland. https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/welcome-to-aalto-university-and-finland-info-package Check out our new virtual campus experience: https://virtualtour.aalto.fi/ More about Aalto University: Aalto.fi youtube.com/user/aaltouniversity linkedin.com/school/aalto-university/ www.facebook.com/aaltouniversity instagram.com/aaltouniversity To view information about Workday Accessibility, please click here. Please see more of our Open Positions here.

Job Purpose:  The Research Engineer will support applied research and innovation in environmental sustainability, working with internal teams and industry partners to develop practical solutions. The role focuses on translating scientific concepts into scalable solutions that address challenges in meeting environmental sustainability target through resource efficiency, waste management, and other sustainable solutions for various industries. Research engineers will collaborate closely with faculty, professional officers and industry partners to execute commercially viable solutions that address real-world challenges. In the process, research engineers gain valuable applied research capabilities aligned with evolving industry needs. Key Responsibilities: Applied Research & Development Develop tools and platform for environmental sustainability database for both generic industry-wide and industry-specific applications, such as life cycle analysis (LCA), environmental impact assessments, energy analysis and resource optimization studies Perform data analysis and generate results for sustainability assessment, solutions development to meet sustainability project deliverables. Support development of sustainability solution road mapping and development framework to support identification and follow-through of sustainability solutions for organizational green transition  Industry Collaboration Support collaborations with industry partners to understand problem statements and contribute to solution development Assist in project scoping by gathering technical inputs and identifying relevant capabilities within the ecosystem (IHLs, research centres, industry partners) Participate in industry meetings, discussions, and project engagements Project Execution & Support Assist in planning and executing projects to ensure timely delivery of outcomes Generate technical reports, presentations, and documentation on the development of sustainability solutions and applications Contribute to grant proposals and project submissions where required Track project progress and maintain proper documentation of activities Job Requirements:  Bachelor’s degree with 5+ year experience OR Master’s degree with 2+ year experience in Applied Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Computer Science or a related field or related disciplines with relevant experience in research, engineering, product development or sustainability related work. Strong programming skills in Python for data analysis, modelling, and decision‑support tool development; proficient in SQL for data querying and transformation Possess understanding of sustainability concepts (e.g., LCA, carbon foot printing, resource efficiency) Strong analytical skills and attention to detail. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Key competencies:  Possess understanding of sustainability challenges faced by industries locally and globally Strong interpersonal and communication skills to communicate effectively with industry partners and stakeholders Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional and multidisciplinary environment. Proactive approach to continuous learning and development in the sustainability field. Proficient in technical writing and presentation Possess good analytical and critical thinking skills Shows good initiative and takes ownership of work undertaken

Introduction As a University of Applied Learning, SIT works closely with industry in our research pursuits. Our research staff will have the opportunity to be equipped with applied research skill sets that are relevant to industry demands while working on research projects in SIT. The primary responsibility of this role is to deliver on an industry innovation research project where you will be part of the research team to develop software platforms for supporting multi-user AR/VR applications. Key Responsibilities Participate in the research project with Principal Investigator (PI), Co-PI and the research team members to ensure all project deliverables are met. Undertake the following responsibilities: Develop an interactive metaverse application for online education, team collaboration, and workplace training with a focus on real-time interactive simulation. Optionally, design and lead user study. Analyze the data and publish academic research papers in international academic conferences/journals Perform testing Carry out Risk Assessment, and ensure compliance with Work, Safety and Health Regulations. Work independently, as well as within a team, to ensure proper operation and maintenance of equipment. Job Requirements A degree in Computer Science or relevant field Experience with software development life cycle Software Development: Strong knowledge in Javascript for 3D/VR applications (e.g., babylon.js, A-Frame, etc.). Experience in developing XR app for teaching & learning/training. Experience developing optimized modules within Unity and/or Unreal Engine Experience with database management systems User study – Optional. End-to-End Study Leadership: Lead the full lifecycle of user research, from defining objectives and methodologies (e.g., usability, A/B testing, interviews) to facilitating sessions and extracting unbiased, actionable insights. Scientific Authoring & Publication: Drive the creation of high-quality research papers for top-tier peer-reviewed venues (e.g., CHI, UIST, CSCW), translating complex technical architectures and study results into compelling academic narratives. Ethical Oversight & IRB Management: Manage the formal Institutional Review Board (IRB) process, ensuring all protocols, data handling, and participant interactions meet the highest ethical and legal standards for human-subjects research. Advanced Data Synthesis: Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to identify deep behavioral patterns, using these findings to ground both product development and scholarly contributions in empirical evidence.