Assistant Professor, Power Electronics

Aalto University; Espoo; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Starting package and grant-writing支持

Opportunities for multidisciplinary &\

Job summary

Aalto University’s School of Electrical Engineering seeks an Assistant Professor in Power Electronics at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation. The role focuses on advancing converters, from topology to prototyping, aiming for efficient and compact energy conversion across applications.

You will lead a research program, supervise students, and collaborate with industry for impactful outcomes.

Qualifications

• Expertise in power electronic converter topologies, main-circuit design, analysis and modelling.
• Experience with AI-assisted design, optimisation, and automated synthesis of power electronic converters.
• Background in high-frequency and high-power-density power conversion and integration of passives.
• Strong hardware design, prototyping and validation skills.
• Experience with wide-bandgap semiconductors (SiC, GaN) applications.

Responsibilities

• Establish independent research direction and build a research group.
• Acquire external research funding and supervise doctoral/master students.
• Contribute to teaching and curriculum development in power electronics.
• Collaborate with academia and industry in Finland and internationally.
• Publish in leading journals and participate in teaching two courses per year.

Skills

Power electronics

AI-assisted design

High-frequency design

Hardware design & prototyping

Wide-bandgap semiconductors

Education

Doctoral degree in electrical engineering/power electronics

Job description

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.

The School of Electrical Engineering invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Power Electronics at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation. The position is full-time and fixed-term at the assistant professor level of the Aalto University tenure track system. The tenure track offers a supported pathway towards a permanent professorship, with advancement based on achievements and potential assessed against Aalto’s tenure track evaluation criteria.

Your research environment

You will join the Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation at Aalto University’s School of Electrical Engineering. The department brings together expertise in electrical power systems and energy conversion, control and automation, robotics, and electronic and digital systems. We combine fundamental research with experimental work and close collaboration with industry to address scientific and technological challenges. Power electronics is central to the department’s research and education in electrical energy conversion. The department's research spans the whole chain from power semiconductor devices to electric machine drives and power system applications, offering opportunities for collaboration at every level of this chain. Across Aalto, further collaboration opportunities include electrochemical conversion and storage, mechatronics and space technology, supported by university-wide initiatives such as the Aalto House of Energy Transition and the Aalto House of AI. The department's research groups also have access to the ePowerHub laboratory space. Finland’s strong industrial power electronics ecosystem, with major players in electric drives, charging technologies and the wider electrification of industry and transport, provides a stimulating setting for research with practical impact.

Your role

Your research will advance the design of power electronic converters, from novel main-circuit topologies, passive components, and gate-driver systems to prototyping and experimental validation. The overarching aim is to enable efficient, reliable, compact, and resource-conscious electrical energy conversion. Relevant application areas include electric drives, charging, energy storage, electricity-to-heat conversion, data centres and sustainable transport, with increasing demands for efficiency, power density, reliability, and integration. Wide-bandgap semiconductor technologies and AI-assisted design and optimisation methods are among the key opportunities for progress. You will establish an independent research direction that complements and strengthens the department’s existing expertise. You will build your own research group, acquire external research funding, supervise doctoral researchers and master’s students, and develop collaborations with academic and industrial partners in Finland and internationally. You will also contribute to teaching and curriculum development in power electronics and electrical engineering at bachelor’s and master’s levels. The typical teaching load is two courses per year on converter topologies and related topics. The details will be discussed with other teaching staff based on the degree program needs. We value research-based teaching that connects theoretical understanding with converter design, laboratory work, and practical applications.

Your profile

We seek a promising researcher with a strong foundation in power electronics and the potential to develop into an internationally recognised academic leader. You should demonstrate expertise in one or more of the following closely related areas:

• Power electronic converter topologies, main-circuit design, analysis, and modelling
• AI-assisted design, optimisation, and automated synthesis of power electronic converters
• High-frequency and high-power-density power conversion, including magnetic components and passives integration
• Power electronics hardware design, integration, prototyping, and experimental validation
• Application of wide-bandgap power semiconductors, including silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN)

We expect you to have:

• A doctoral degree in electrical engineering, power electronics or a closely related field
• Evidence of high-quality research through publications in leading international journals and conferences, assessed in relation to your career stage
• A clear and original research vision, with the potential to establish an independent research programme and attract external funding
• Experience in teaching and supervision, or demonstrated potential and motivation to develop into an excellent university teacher and supervisor
• The ability to build productive collaborations within academia and with industry
• Excellent communication skills in English and the ability to work effectively in an international, multidisciplinary environment

Experience in industrial research and development, collaborative research projects, or translating research findings into practical applications will be considered an advantage. We value a commitment to developing your pedagogical competence and contributing to an inclusive academic community. Assessment at the assistant professor level will emphasise the quality of your achievements, the originality of your research vision and your potential for future development, taking your career stage into account.

What we offer

• Starting package and grant-writing support to help establish your research group
• Opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration across Aalto University and with industrial and academic partners
• A stimulating environment for research and teaching, with highly motivated students
• Support for professional development, including teaching and academic leadership
• An international community committed to equality, inclusion and wellbeing
• A competitive salary based on your experience and qualifications and the Aalto University salary system
• Occupational healthcare and support for settling into life in Finland

The position is based at Aalto University’s Otaniemi campus in Espoo, in the Helsinki metropolitan area.

If you wish to hear more about the position, you can reach out to the chair of the departmental committee, Professor Tomi Laurila ([e-mail]).

For questions concerning the recruitment process, please contact HR partner Camilla Hanganpää ([e-mail]).

More about Aalto University: Aalto.fi youtube.com/user/aaltouniversity linkedin.com/school/aalto-university/ www.facebook.com/aaltouniversity instagram.com/aaltouniversity

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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 16 000 students and 5 200 employees, including 446 professors, 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.