Innovation Postdoc - Artificial Intelligence

Aalto University; Finland; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Occupational health care

Retirement benefits

Access to innovation space

Network of deep-tech investors

Scientific mentorship

Job summary

Aalto University in Finland is looking for an Innovation Postdoc dedicated to commercializing research innovations. You'll focus on validating technology and developing business models while engaging with stakeholders. The position offers a 12-month funded contract with access to Aalto's research infrastructures and a strong support network for deep-tech researchers.

Required qualifications include a completed PhD and a concrete research result with commercial potential. Ideal candidates are adaptable, business-curious, and driven by impactful solutions. Health care and retirement benefits included.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (PhD) completed or submitted from Aalto University or another university.
• Candidate must have a concrete research result or technology with commercial potential.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and adapt under uncertainty.

Responsibilities

• Conduct structured problem and market validation through customer discovery interviews.
• Develop technology with a product focus and iterate with real users.
• Prepare for external investment and commercialization pathways.

Skills

Research and development

Technology validation

Business model development

Stakeholder engagement

Independence and project management

Education

Doctoral degree (PhD)

Job description

Overview

Aalto University is home to researchers working at the frontier of artificial intelligence. Some of that work has the potential to become more than research - to address real problems, create new industries, and contribute to Finland's deep tech future. The Innovation Postdoc exists to support that transition.

This is a 12‑month funded position for doctoral researchers and postdocs who have a concrete result, technology or invention with commercial potential, and who are ready to dedicate their full focus to exploring it. You will work on validating your technology with real users and partners, developing a business model, and preparing for the next step – whether that is external investment, a spin‑out or another commercialization pathway – supported by Aalto's innovation infrastructure, coaching network and peer community.

What you will do

As an “Innovation Postdoc”, your work is 100% focused on increasing the innovation readiness level of your research. Your responsibilities include:

• Conducting structured problem and market validation through customer discovery interviews and stakeholder engagement
• Developing technology if needed – with a product in mind
• Testing and iterating your technology with real‑world users and partners
• Developing a compelling business model and go‑to‑market strategy
• Preparing for external investment, spin‑out formation or other commercialization pathways
• Participating in the Innovation Postdoc program activities, coaching sessions and peer community (e.g., trade fair, Business Generator workshops, events at The Founder House Helsinki etc.)

Who we are looking for

• Required qualifications
  • Doctoral degree (PhD) completed or submitted the thesis, from Aalto University
  • Doctoral degree from another university but working at Aalto University as a postdoctoral researcher
  • A concrete research result, technology or invention with clear differentiation and commercial potential in the corresponding field
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and drive projects forward under uncertainty
• Desired attitudes
  • Obsession with a real‑world problem, not just the technology – you are driven by the desire to solve something that matters
  • Coachability and open‑mindedness – you are ready to step outside the academic bubble, actively seek feedback from customers and mentors, and change course when the evidence demands it
  • Adaptability and resilience – you understand that building a deep‑tech spin‑out is a journey of uncertainty, and you treat setbacks as data, not failure
  • Business curiosity – you are genuinely interested in how value is created and captured, thinking about markets, customers and competition, not just technical performance
  • Eagerness for impact – you have a technology with strong differentiation and are motivated to see it applied and scaled in the real world
  • “Can‑do” attitude – you are ready to figure out what you don’t know, roll up your sleeves, and get things done even without a clear roadmap

What we offer

• Funded Runway: A 12‑month salaried contract at the postdoctoral researcher level, focused 100% on increasing the innovation readiness of your work
• Milestone‑based funding top‑ups to support validation activities, prototyping or external engagement
• Structured milestone framework: clear deliverables and check‑ins throughout the program to keep your validation on track
• Scientific mentorship: continued access to and support from Aalto professors and domain experts to ensure your technology development stays rigorous
• Access to Aalto's research infrastructures – depending on the field, such as BioEconomy facilities, computing clusters, LUMI Supercomputer, OtaNano and more
• Dedicated Innovation Space: a physical environment designed for commercialization, separated from daily academic duties, based in A‑Grid
• Streamlined IP support: professional guidance on IP transfer and standardised spin‑out terms designed to attract top‑tier investors
• Aalto Inventors community – peer cohort of fellow deep‑tech researchers across fields, building alongside you
• Access to Aalto Inventors and Business Generator accelerator workshops: hands‑on sessions covering the full journey from lab to market
• Extensive network: personalised coaching from a curated network of deep‑tech investors, serial entrepreneurs and industry leaders – including founding partners of top Nordic VC funds and executives with successful exits
• Access to The Founders House Helsinki – events, community and co‑working space at the heart of Helsinki's startup scene
• Pathway into the Nordic startup ecosystem – including access to the Slush spin‑out track
• Comprehensive toolkit to build up your business knowledge

The position includes occupational health care and retirement benefits in accordance with Finnish employment law and the collective agreement for Finnish universities.

For further information and questions, contact Myungji Suh at [e-mail].