Assistant Professor in Design of Mechanical Systems

European Commission; Finland; On-site; EUR 45 000 - 70 000; Full time

Job summary

Aalto University invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Design of Mechanical Systems. The role involves teaching, supervising students, and engaging in research related to mechanical systems and mechatronics. The ideal candidate will complement existing faculty and enhance collaboration with industry partners.

Benefits

Opportunity to work in a highly ranked university

Inspiring environment for young talents

Qualifications

• Proven record in translating research to practical solutions.
• Experience in cooperation with industrial partners.
• Publications focused on mechanical systems design.

Responsibilities

• Designing mechatronic systems with stakeholder collaboration.
• Teaching two to three courses per year.
• Raising funds and building a team for research.

Skills

Leadership in hydraulic and pneumatic research

Supervision of doctoral and Master’s students

Education

Relevant doctoral degree

Job description

Organisation/Company AALTO UNIVERSITY Research Field Engineering Researcher Profile Leading Researcher (R4) Country Finland Application Deadline 15 Sep 2025 - 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by sparking the game changers of tomorrow and by creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 13,000 students, 400 professors and close to 4 500 other staff members working on our vibrant campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. 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 School of Engineering drives science and innovation in industrial and built environment technologies. We are committed to educating a new generation of experts who combine technical excellence with a deep understanding of sustainable development in shaping societies. Our research focuses on sustainable built environment, mechanics and materials, multidisciplinary energy technology, and design and implementation of technical systems. The strength of our school lies in close collaboration with stakeholders across research and education. About 45 doctoral candidates and 350 master’s students graduate from the school every year. The school is home to 700 staff members, including 70 professors. To learn more, please visit eng.aalto.fi.

The Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering at the Aalto University School of Engineering invites applications for

Assistant Professor in Design of Mechanical Systems (tenure track)

Aalto University Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering is a community of around 300 staff members – including 30 tenure track professors – assembled to research, teach, create, and develop solutions for society’s needs. Key research areas include marine and arctic technology; energy technologies and systems; mechanical systems and mechatronics; and materials, manufacturing, and product development. We have strong links to industry, creating lasting impact in both business and society.

We are now looking for an assistant professor in design of mechanical systems that will be placed in Mechatronics research group at Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering. In this position you can make a large visible impact by designing future mechatronic machines together with our stakeholders.

As a tenure-track faculty member, you are expected to complement the expertise of the current faculty by bringing new ideas and perspectives into our community. You are also expected to teach in our study programmes with a typical teaching load of about two or three courses per year, supervision at the B.Sc., M.Sc., and D.Sc. levels, and in activities at the curriculum development. You also have a proven record of working with industrial partners as well as with students.

The position will be located at the Aalto University Campus in Otaniemi, Espoo.

In addition to general competence in design of mechanical systems, we look for a candidate with demonstrated ability to translate scientific research to practical level solutions and innovations on one or some of the following topics:

• Hydraulic and pneumatic applications
• Machine components (e.g. bearings, actuators, sensors)

Your role and goals

• Leadership in hydraulic and pneumatic research (you will build your own team) and raising funds for your team
• Supervising doctoral and Master’s students (often with company partners)
• Responsible teacher for hydraulics courses

Your network and team

Co-creation with other Aalto University stakeholders crossing the school borders is a particular characteristic for this position. Mechatronics group collaborates a lot with academics in electrical power engineering and electronics engineering. Mechatronics group is a proud member of Academy of Finland Centre of Excellence “High-Speed Electromechanical Energy Conversion Systems”.

Your experience and ambitions

We are eagerly looking for a candidate, who’s research interest includes theoretical and experimental approaches in research of engineering grand challenges. An ideal candidate, with a relevant doctoral degree, has experience in cooperation with company partners and wide understanding and demonstrated capability to cooperate with various other stakeholders. Your publications preferably demonstrate a strong focus on design of mechanical systems and show evidence of your ability to translate scientific research to practical level solutions and innovations.

The traditional field of mechanical engineering undergoes constant change as it is used to revolutionize the modern world and how we see it. Today, these applications are often systems of systems consisting of mechanical engineered components with connections to electrical, materials, and control engineering. The applications must operate in challenging environments. The engineering must find a balance between mechanical engineering core principles and emerging and cross-disciplinary technologies. This position is aimed to do this from mechanical engineering perspective.

After all, we are also looking for a passionate educator, and we can’t highlight too much the importance of teaching and learning activities within the field. In the long term your work will have a social impact also in wider perspective.

As a summary, we have an interesting position for an outgoing young academic, who is able to network with Finnish industries and the academic community at Aalto University and beyond. However, for the right candidate the best part of the job is working with our students and staff.

What we offer

Aalto University provides an inspiring environment for the growth of young talents. Our university has several, globally highly ranked fields of expertise and it is one of the most international universities.

The salary is based on Aalto University salary system, but you can also provide your own salary request.

Ready to apply?

Please submit your application by September 15, 2025 at 23.59pm (EET) through our recruiting system by using the "Apply now!" link. Please include the following documents in English as one pdf file:

• Curriculum vitae - Please use the template recommended by The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK)
• The list of publications (with five most significant publications highlighted)
• Copies of the five most significant publications and justification for significance in these five publications and your role in them described
• Names, positions, affiliations and e-mail addresses of three (3) senior research leaders available for providing recommendation letters

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

For more information

If you wish to hear more about the position, you can reach out to professor Petri Kuosmanen, [e-mail] (available until July 17th and from August 12th onwards again) . In case you have questions related to the recruitment process, please contact HR Partner Jenni Koivisto, [e-mail] (available until July 10th and from August 7th onwards again).

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