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.

Aalto University invites applications for a doctoral researcher position within the Water and Environmental Engineering Research Group WAT (https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-built-environment/water-and-environmental-engineering)

Doctoral Researcher for the Information Age: Scoping, teaching and learning processes of doctoral education in engineering

In a world of incessant and accelerating evolution of science and disruptive technologies, societies become rapidly more information and knowledge-intensive. The key resource of exponentially growing importance is a highly educated talent that masters the soaring scientific and technological advances to societal and planetary benefit and wellbeing. Social and environmental challenges and opportunities, especially in their complexity, interconnectedness, and multidisciplinarity, are in a truly soaring trajectory. This dual set-up of growing opportunities and challenges constitutes a major driver for how future engineers could and should be educated.
Obviously, demands and possibilities for all levels of engineering education are impacted. Yet, most probably the highest potential and demand is at the doctoral level education, as research skills and mastering the scientific method are swiftly becoming basic professional skills in knowledge-intensive jobs of any domain, particularly in engineering. In parallel, transferable working life skills are fast growing in importance with the expansion of the production of knowledge products and their use in the ever-growing complexity of problem-solving needs.
We are looking for a doctoral researcher to study doctoral education in the Finnish context. The researcher will be working in the Engineering Education Research Group and the Finnish Doctoral Pilot Project under the Digital Waters (DIWA) Flagship. The doctoral research focuses on identifying the critical areas and experiences of the doctoral education process and the experiences of all. Data consists of prospective longitudinal and retrospective mapping data. The thesis research can focus on a specific area within the broader framework of doctoral supervision and education upon joint planning.

We are looking for a candidate with

• a master’s degree in educational sciences, higher education pedagogy, technology education, psychology, social and management sciences, or an equivalent qualification
• ability to conduct diverse mixed methods data collection and analyses with doctoral researchers and supervisors
• ambition to learn to do research, publish the work in journal articles, and pursue a doctoral degree interest in working in diverse teams and independently, and proactively build networks
• good written and oral skills in English (Finnish is considered an advantage but not necessary

We encourage applicants from a variety of relevant fields to apply. Applicants must fulfill the admission criteria of the Aalto Doctoral Programme in Engineering and, if chosen for a position, apply for, obtain, and accept the right to pursue doctoral studies at Aalto University. For more information on the general requirements and the application process for doctoral studies, please visit https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-options/aalto-doctoral-programme-in-engineering

What we offer
Full-time doctoral researcher position for three years, the contract will start by latest on the first of January 2025 An interesting position in the Engineering Education Research Group and various opportunities to collaborate in research, teaching, and thesis advising based on the candidate’s learning objectives. Our multidisciplinary and competent working community fosters an inspiring and inclusive culture. Opportunities to participate in international training and scientific conferences Active support in career planning and inclusion in the global education research community

How to apply
Please submit your application through our eRecruitment system (click the Apply now! link on this page) by 15 November 2024. The document should include the following documents in English, preferably as a single pdf-file (name the file: lastname_firstname_application.pdf). If you are already working at Aalto University, please apply for this job by using your existing Workday user account (Workday -> Find Jobs). Email applications will not be considered.

• Motivation Letter (1-2 pages): please introduce yourself and briefly describe your research interests and motivation for pursuing doctoral studies.
• A Curriculum Vitae (2 pages), including contact details of two relevant referees, please use the template for a researcher’s CV.
• List of Publications, including possible scientific publications and the titles and possible links to Bachelor Thesis and Master’s Thesis
• An official Study Transcript of your Master’s degree, including records of all courses and grades.
• A copy of the M.Sc. degree certificate or equivalent (for doctoral study application it will need to be officially translated into Finnish, English or Swedish). If the degree is still pending, then a plan for its completion must be provided.
• Research statement of the selected research topic (2-3 pages). Please focus on the context, research questions, key methods, and theories as well as novelty of your research. The use of artificial intelligence to assist in the preparation of the research plan should be clearly indicated in the research plan.

The position will be filled as soon as possible; thus you are encouraged to submit your application promptly. The expected starting date is by the 1st of January 2025. Aalto University reserves the right to leave the position open, extend the application period, reopen the application process, and consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.

The total duration of the project is three years. Aalto University follows the salary system of Finnish universities, and the starting salary of the selected doctoral candidate in this project is approximately 2700 EUR/month (gross), increasing with progress in research and studies. The annual workload id is 1612 hours. The contract includes Aalto University occupational healthcare, and Finland has a comprehensive social security system. We value work-life balance and the well-being of all team members.

In addition, Aalto University offers a vast array of professional development opportunities, which means you will grow and learn, having the chance to participate actively in staff trainings and development projects based on your interests and needs.Life at the transformed campus is vibrant and filled with amazing architecture, calming nature, and a variety of cafes, restaurants, and services.

For additional information, kindly contact Distinguished Professor Olli Varis (olli.varis@aalto.fi) or Academic Coordinator Maija Taka (Maija.taka@aalto.fi).

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