Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Design for Climate-Adaptive Urbanism

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 120 nationalities, 14,000 students, 400 professors, and close to 5,000 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.

The Department of Architecture at Aalto University invites applications for a

Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Design for Climate-Adaptive Urbanism.

Are you passionate about advancing computational design to address the challenges of the climate polycrisis?

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join our team at the Department of Architecture at Aalto University. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research at the intersection of computational design methodologies, emerging technologies, like augmented and immersive applications, and sustainable urbanism. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in forming and coordinating interdisciplinary consortia and leading competitive grant applications to secure national and international research funding. Position is a fixed term and part-time (working time 70 %) and the duration of the employment contract is 10 months and it starts on May 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Join us in shaping a sustainable future through cutting-edge research and collaboration!

Your role and goals

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will:

• Assist in preparing grant applications for national and international funding opportunities.
• Collaborate on research projects focused on data-driven design methods, immersive collaborative environments, and generative AI applications.
• Draft research papers for peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
• Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration with academic and professional partners.
• Support and expand research initiatives in computational design for climate-adaptive urbanism.
  
  

Your network and team

You will work closely with Associate Professor Dr. Pia Fricker: (https://www.aalto.fi/en/people/pia-fricker), an expert in computational design and sustainable urbanism, and collaborate with a diverse network of researchers, academic institutions, and professional partners. The position is based in the Department of Architecture, known for its vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment.

Your Experience And Ambitions

We are seeking a candidate with:

• Educational background:
• A PhD in Architecture with focus on Computational Design, or a closely related field.
• Specialization in computational design methodologies, data-driven design, and immersive technologies.
  
  

• Professional qualifications/skills:
• Experience in grant writing and familiarity with competitive funding landscapes.
• A proven track record of high-quality research publications and contributions to international academic conferences.
  
  

• Technical skills:
• Proficiency in computational design tools such as Grasshopper, Rhino, Python, or similar.
• Familiarity with immersive technologies (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine).
• Experience with data analysis and geospatial tools (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS).
• Competency in visualization and rendering tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Blender).
  
  

• Language skills:
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Finnish or Swedish skills are not mandatory but considered an advantage.
  
  

• Other skills:
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
• A proactive mindset and willingness to contribute creatively to research initiatives.
  

What We Offer

• Meaningful and inspiring environment: You will contribute to addressing the climate polycrisis through innovative research and collaboration.
• Supportive and inclusive culture: At Aalto, we value responsibility, courage, and collaboration, and foster an open and equal community.
  
  

The salary will be determined based on experience and qualifications according to the salary system of Aalto University.

Join us!

To apply, please share your CV, publication list and a max 2 page motivation letter (portfolio optional), through our recruitment site latest on 15th April 2025 (midnight Finnish time). Please submit your application and materials in English.

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).

For more information about the role, please contact Associate Professor Dr. Pia Fricker at [email protected]. For questions related to the application process, please contact HR Partner Enni Ailoranta at [email protected].

We will go through applications and may invite suitable candidates to interview already during the application period.

Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos:

This is Aalto University!

Aalto University – Towards a better world

and Shaping a Sustainable Future.

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About Finland

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For more information about living in Finland: Aalto Careers for International Staff .

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